SR 79 was first designated between Lancaster and Walhonding in 1924 by way of Hebron, Newark, and Newcastle.

[4][5] 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 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) south to Buckeye Lake ending at SR 157.

This extension occurred around the same time of the completion of I-70 in the area.

[8][9] Except for reroutings onto expressways in Hebron and Newark, the route has not experienced any other major changes.

SR 79 bypasses Hebron to the east, while SR 79A, or Business Route 79, ran through downtown Hebron as High Street.