Clarington brings together two travel themes: the history of navigation on the Ohio River and the Appalachian Byway of Ohio. In 1879, the Mozena Brothers opened a boatyard at the upper end of town; the Byway extends to Clarington. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can first decide whether to focus on local history or a drive through several counties.
River History and Boatyard
The Ohio Valley River Museum in Clarington is dedicated to the history of the Ohio River. Its exhibits feature photographs, written documents, and artifacts. This gives the museum a clear connection to the river, while the history of the boatyard adds a specific local link to boatbuilding.
The Mozena Brothers bought land at the upper end of Clarington in 1879 and opened their own boatyard there. Two named riverboats illustrate this history in different ways. The Liberty was built in 1912 and was the last of the Upper-Ohio Packets. The wooden riverboat J.A. Cresap was built by the Mozena Bros. Boat Yard in Clarington and completed in 1923. The Liberty stands out as the last of the Upper-Ohio Packets, while the J.A. Cresap is specifically identified as a wooden riverboat from Clarington’s boatyard history. Together, a local business, a named vessel type, and two individual boats offer a more focused view of the history of navigation.
Appalachian Byway of Ohio
The scenic Appalachian Byway of Ohio runs from Nelsonville in northwestern Athens County, through Morgan County and Noble County, to Clarington in eastern Monroe County. On State Route 78, it runs in the opposite direction from Clarington through Monroe County and Noble County to Morgan County, then on to Nelsonville. At SR 7, the Byway connects with the Ohio River Scenic Byway.
For planning purposes, it’s useful to distinguish between these scales: the boatyard and museum give your trip a focus in Clarington, while the Byway draws attention to a route through several counties. You can consider the town as a destination in its own right or as one endpoint of a longer route.
Clarington Park
Clarington Park covers 255 acres. The land was transferred to the Monroe County Park District through a Federal Lands to Parks transfer.
Vacation Rental and Travel Planning
When looking for a vacation rental, start by deciding: Is Clarington itself your destination, or will it mark a stop on a longer route? In the first case, you can plan around the town’s river history; in the second, follow the Byway through several counties and consider its two endpoints. Check the specific details of each accommodation against your plans. Set the length of your stay based on the stops and visits you actually intend to make.
For an overview of the wider area: Monroe.
