Belmont County Heritage Museum

Belmont County Heritage Museum Celebrating Belmont County History. Prior to the 1980s, state law required the sheriff and their family to live on the premises of the county jail.

Every county had a sheriff's residence that was connected to the jail. From its completion in 1890 until 1976, this building was home to the Belmont County Sheriff and their family. It was used as county offices until 1996 and then vacated. Thankfully a group of preservationists rallied to save the building. With grant funds, it was restored and opened in 2014 as a museum dedicated to the county's history.
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The National Imperial Glass Museum is hosting its 50th annual convention this Thursday, April 30, through May 3! 💎The fu...
04/29/2026

The National Imperial Glass Museum is hosting its 50th annual convention this Thursday, April 30, through May 3! 💎

The fun begins tomorrow at the National Imperial Glass Museum in Bellaire with an ice cream social and will continue through the weekend with glass sales, speakers, auctions, and more!

For more info, visit: https://imperialglass.org/event/

🗺️ Exploring the National Road in Belmont County 🗺️ As we continue with the transportation theme of America 250 Ohio, le...
04/16/2026

🗺️ Exploring the National Road in Belmont County 🗺️

As we continue with the transportation theme of America 250 Ohio, let's take a closer look at the significance of the historic National Road. 🚗

Almost 221 years ago, on July 4, 1825, ground was broken in Ohio for the National Road near the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville, making it America’s first federally funded highway.

➡️ Today, you can still follow the old route, now known as U.S. Route 40, and uncover the stories embedded in every mile marker, bridge, and roadside diner.

📍You can walk across Ohio’s oldest standing bridge in Blaine, tour the Belmont County Heritage Museum in St. Clairsville, or visit Morristown, a Pike Town that still echoes with the rhythm of 19th-century commerce. Along the way, you’ll see red bricks peeking through the pavement, laid over a hundred years ago to support World War I transport. These aren’t just artifacts but reminders of the innovation, determination, and community that built this region.

The National Road is now recognized as an Ohio Scenic Byway, one of three in Belmont County.

Have a blessed Easter from the Belmont County Heritage Museum! ✝️🐇
04/05/2026

Have a blessed Easter from the Belmont County Heritage Museum! ✝️🐇

April's America 250-Ohio 250 Ohio theme is transportation. From the National Road to the railroads to the Ohio River, Be...
04/01/2026

April's America 250-Ohio 250 Ohio theme is transportation. From the National Road to the railroads to the Ohio River, Belmont County has served a critical role in the transportation industry for both Ohio and the US. 🚘🛣️

🚗 The National Road: Construction on the Ohio section began on July 4, 1825, in St. Clairsville. A few years later, the Blaine Hill "S" Bridge, built in 1828, became the oldest sandstone bridge in Ohio. Its unique "S" shape was designed to provide structural strength against the currents of Wheeling Creek

🚂 Railroads: The introduction of rail transformed Belmont County into an industrial hub, particularly for coal shipping. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad gained control of major local lines, such as the Central Ohio Railroad, in 1866. The Great Stone Viaduct in Bellaire was constructed in 1870, featuring 43 arches, 37 of which represented the number of states in the Union at the time.

🏞️ The Ohio River: Before the construction of roads and railroads, the river served as the primary form of transportation, providing an essential connection between the eastern United States and the developing Western frontier.

Address

101 E Main Street
Saint Clairsville, OH
43950

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(740) 298-7020

Website

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