History of Kokosing Gap Trail

At one time, Knox County had four different railroads traveling through its borders: The Ohio Central; The Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio Railroad; the Baltimore & Ohio (later merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio, which merged into the Chessie System, and finally CSX Transportation); and The Cleveland, Akron & Columbus (later bought by the Pennsylvania Railroad, then merged into Penn Central).

The Kokosing Gap Trail is built on the former Pennsylvania Railroad right of way between Mount Vernon and Danville. According to the History of Knox County 1876-1976, by the years “1916-17 there were 18 passenger trains daily through Knox County on the Pennsylvania and B&O, the two main lines.” Passenger service declined steadily after World War II and in last days of 1950, the Pennsylvania removed its last two passenger trains from Knox County but freight service continued until the late 1970s. The B&O stopped passenger trains in 1961 but continues freight service to Mount Vernon from Newark.