SR 79 was first designated between Lancaster and Walhonding in 1924 by way of Hebron, Newark, and Newcastle. By 1926, the northern terminus had been rerouted to Nellie. In 1932, the segment between Lancaster and Hebron was deleted (the part not concurrent with US 40 became SR 37) but within one year, the route was extended about  south to Buckeye Lake ending at SR 157.
SR 79 was initially designated between Lancaster and Walhonding in 1924 via Hebron, Newark, and Newcastle. By 1926, the northern endpoint had been redirected to Nellie. In 1932, the segment from Lancaster to Hebron was removed (the part not aligned with US 40 became SR 37), but within a year, the route was extended approximately southward to Buckeye Lake, ending at SR 157.