In combination with SR 32, SR 73's easternmost 31 miles (50 km) are part of the quickest route between Cincinnati and Portsmouth.
Route description
The portion of SR 73 between Interstate 75 and SR 741 in Springboro is designated as the "Officer Bill Johnson Memorial Highway",[3] in honor of William L. "Bill" Johnson, a 48-year-old, eight-year veteran of the Springboro Police Department who was struck and killed by a vehicle around 12:30 a.m. on June 27, 1983 while outside his cruiser on SR 73, investigating two people walking in the roadway.[4]
Excello Locks - Historic Remains of a lock on the Miami-Erie Canal near the intersection of 73 and S. Main St. in Middletown, Ohio. Much of the route between Trenton and Franklin follows the original path of the Miami and Erie Canal.
1924 – Original route established;[5] originally routed from Franklin to 1-mile (1.6 km) west of Portsmouth (dually certified with State Route 104 from 1-mile (1.6 km) north of Coles Park to 1-mile (1.6 km) west of Portsmouth before 1926).[6]
1926 – Extended to 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Middletown along the previous State Route 6; State Route 104 certification removed.[6]