(The last toll road, or turnpike, in the Clermont County, Ohio)
Men, young and old, business and professional, vied the Batavia Pike Friday.
Clermont Courier; March 8, 1911
Last Friday was the day appointed for the viewing of the pike running from Batavia to the top of Rose’s Hill, just beyond Mt. Carmel. The Pike belongs to the Batavia Turnpike and Miami Bridge Co. The men, 40 in number, assembled for the purpose of examining the condition of the pike, its road bed, bridges, culverts, etc., so that, as witnesses, they would be able to set a reasonable value on it. They met in Batavia, and started for their destination, covering something over seven miles. The army made the trip without anyone getting leg weary or otherwise giving our, reaching their destination about noon.
The people along the road, when they noticed the army approaching, wondered what had happened, supposing something terrible had happened and a posse of men had been formed to hunt an outlaw. But when informed of their purpose, they smiled and went on their way, hoping the pike would soon be purchased at a reasonable figure and thrown open to the public.
This road is to be purchased by condemnation suit by the county commissioners, the action being brought in the probate court. This pike ends the Toll roads in Clermont County, Ohio, which the people may feel proud of. The people along this line of pike have helped to pay, by taxation, for all free pikes in Clermont, and they are surly entitled to this luxury. The jury to hear the evidence in this case and set a value on the pike will be drawn from Brown county, so as to be impartial.
This case is set for hearing on the 27th of March 1911.