New Rome: History of the National Road

For trip planning, it helps to distinguish between two places: today’s New Rome neighborhood lies south of Broad Street, while the former settlement of Rome grew up along the National Road. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in New Rome, this distinction helps put the place name in its geographic and historical context. The neighborhood describes the surrounding area; the National Road explains the settlement’s historical reference point.

Location and Neighborhood

The New Rome neighborhood lies south of Broad Street, next to Prairie Norton Elementary School. The Western Gateway Sub-District includes commercial and residential areas in the formerly incorporated area once known as New Rome. Broad Street provides a specific location, while the sub-district refers to the combination of residential and commercial areas. As a planning detail, some buildings have direct sidewalk connections to their entrances.

The National Road and the Settlement

The settlement of Rome, later known as New Rome, was established along the National Road. At the time it was founded, the road was an important east-west route. The town plan included 32 lots on the north and south sides of the road. The National Road is therefore part of both the transportation and settlement history of the place. The original road was unpaved. After heavy rain, oxen had to pull stagecoaches through the mud to firmer ground. The early history of travel cannot be separated from the road conditions of the time.

Stagecoaches and Taverns

Rome became a popular stop for stagecoaches traveling east and west. The Yeager Home served as an important stagecoach stop and tavern for many years before the settlement was established; it was built before the War of 1812. The Daniel McFarland Tavern was considered the best-known of several taverns in the Rome area. The road set the direction of travel, while the stops and taverns tell the story of rest along the way.

Changing Transportation and Local History

Transportation later changed. After the Columbus, London and Springfield Interurban Line began operating after 1915, the stagecoach routes were discontinued. In the town’s history, stagecoach travel and the later operation of the interurban line thus represent two successive eras of transportation. Local history also includes merchant O. G. Riebel: he was elected the first mayor and set aside part of the porch next to his grocery store as a mayor’s office. The store was later demolished. Another local connection lives on in the name Maple Drive: James D. Kinnaird lined the driveway to his home with maple trees; the road is now called Maple Drive.

The Historic Streetscape

Most of New Rome’s remaining houses have been converted into businesses; little of the 19th-century character remains.

Discover more destinations: Worthington Southwest, East Columbus, Lincoln Village.

For the full travel overview: Columbus.