An historic coal company store and grouping of former miners' homes lie to the west of the bikeway at mile 7.1. This site is one of the best examples of company town architecture remaining in Ohio. A mine opening farther north near mile 14.5 helped supply some of the 2.5 million tons of coal mined in Athens County between 1820 and 1993.

Originally platted as Tyler, the town of Salina was home to Milbury M. Green, a major player in bringing the Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad to the region. He and partner George Gould owned Salina's salt and coal mines. In its heyday, Salina was second only to Chauncey in regional salt production. In 1860, Salina boasted a population of 88. The salt and coal mines stopped production in the late 1880s, and after 1895, the town became known as Beaumont.

The Wayne National Forest covers more than a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. Covered with hardwood and pine, the rugged hills of the Wayne also feature several rockshelters, natural springs and abundant wildlife.

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