Bullskin Trace

The Bullskin Trace was one of the most significant roads in the Northwest Territory and most of it is still in use today.

The trail was first created by migrating buffalo and other animals on their way to the salt licks in Kentucky. The Trace then followed a progression of development through the years. It became an Indian trail, and then a pioneer route, was an Underground Railroad conduit, and finally became a part of modern highway systems. The path provided access from the Ohio River north to Detroit Michigan.

As an Indian trail The Bullskin Trace was used by such famous people as Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, and Tecumseh. From a British Fort in Detroit the British and Indians followed it south to attack the Kentucky settlements.

Later it became a pioneer route. Roads were important to the settlers because rivers in the area were difficult to maneuver with anything larger than a canoe. Going upstream against the current was almost impossible for flatboats.

However, flatboats coming down the Ohio River could pull off at a wide valley where Bullskin Creek emptied into the Ohio River. There pioneers would unload in a protected, easily accessible area, and continue traveling overland on the Bullskin Trace.

On February 4, 1807 part of The Trace became one of the first Ohio public highways. It was then named Xenia State Road. It was widened to 20 feet and had a right-of-way of about 60 feet. Marshy spots were covered with halved logs laid side by side producing a corduroy road. The state paid $700.00 for these improvements with money obtained by the sale of public lands.

During the War of 1812 the road was used to get supplies and troops from the Ohio River to the Great Lakes. On one occasion a group of fifteen supply wagons bumped up its rough surface.

The trail was used by run away slaves on the Underground Railroad. Some Xenia and other Greene County residents ran stations on this clandestine route.

Looking at a modern day road atlas one can see the route the Bullskin Trace followed. It began in Clermont County at the Ohio River near Chilo and headed north, following what is now Ohio 133. It passed through Warren County, where near Clarksville it jogged on to old Ohio 380 and followed it into Xenia. The Bullskin Trace continued on through Old Chillicothe, a former Shawnee village which is now called Oldtown. From Xenia to Detroit it followed the path of US 68, then Ohio 25, and finally US 24.

How the Trace got its name has various explanations. M. A. Broadstone in his History of Greene County Ohio says, “It was given its name because of the fact that it started from an Indian village of this name on the Ohio River.” While the book, Greene County 1803-1908 says, “It. extended from a village and ferry on the Ohio River called Bullskin, from which the road took its name…”

James Galloway Family

James Galloway, Sr. and Family By Rosalie Yoakam James Galloway Sr. was an early pioneer of Greene County who, along with his children, contributed to its early development. Galloway was born in 1750 in Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolutionary War for eighteen months as a hunter, providing game for the soldiers. While in Pennsylvania he married Rebecca Junkin. The Galloway family moved to Kentucky and James is described in Robinson's History of Greene County as having "many of the traits of Daniel Boone". Once Galloway was in the woods, alone and unarmed, when he encountered Simon Girty. Girty was one of the most hated men on the frontier, a renegade white man who fought along side the Indians. Girty shot Galloway believing he had killed him. Galloway, however, managed to turn his horse and rushed to his camp, a mile away. He arrived safely but fainting. The ball had passed through his shoulder and lodged near the back of his neck. It was decided to leave the ball and it remained for many years. It stayed painful and was influenced by the weather, behaving somewhat like a barometer. Sometimes, when an important event was planned in the community which required good weather, Galloway was consulted for a forecast. The ball was finally removed; some say by Dr. Joshua Martin and others claim it was a cobbler. In 1782 Galloway was with General Roger Clarke on his second expedition against the Indians at Old Chillicothe. This village was located near present day Oldtown, north of Xenia. Clarke burned Old Chillicothe along with several other Indian villages. Perhaps this service impressed Galloway with the area as he returned in the spring of 1798 with his family: his wife, four sons and one daughter. Another son and daughter were born in later years. The family built a log house near what is now Goes Station on US 68. The house has been moved several times and is now located on the grounds of the Greene County Historical Society in Xenia. The original house location was near the destroyed Old Chillicothe. Tecumseh, the famous Shawnee chief had been born there and often visited in the area. He became friends with James Galloway and through his association with the family developed a relationship with Rebecca. She taught Tecumseh the English language, how to read it, and she read the Bible to him. The book Women of Greene County credits Rebecca for having "improved his attitude toward women" and says she "advanced the cause of social justice for all the women of Greene County". Legend says that Tecumseh proposed marriage to Rebecca but she refused. She later married a cousin, George Galloway. James Galloway Sr. served as the first county treasurer and held the position for sixteen years. His son, James Jr. was the first County Surveyor. At the age of eight-eight James Sr. died and was buried in the church yard at old Massies creek.