RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal a reference guide for those interested in the future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Preface This resource plan serves as The canal resource plan is a reference guide for those conceptual and flexible. It interested in the future of the does not provide site-specific Miami and Erie Canal. The plans architectural/engineering design and ideas detailed in this report concepts, but does identify resulted from site inventory and issues facing the corridor, from analysis by people with interest in opportunities to constraints, the development of the corridor. as well as observed trends. The We encourage individuals to seek objectives and recommendations additional information on the presented are aimed at preserving various issues presented. and improving the historic Miami and Erie Canal, developing its natural, historic, and recreational resources from Delphos to Piqua.

Acknowledgement We would like to extend a special thanks to the many partners that helped prepare this publication, including: Steve Dorsten, Division of Water Rev. Christopher P. Vasko Bill Bopp, Ohio State Parks ODNR Office of Communications Hung Thai, ODNR Division of Water

3 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Contents I Introduction Preface ...... 3 Acknowledgement ...... 3

I. Introduction ...... 4 The Miami and Erie Canal was created The canal region is rich in cultural and in the early 1800s to provide farmers architectural diversity. A look back in II. History ...... 7 in western Ohio with access to markets history reveals the pride of those who in the populated regions of the eastern built the quaint villages, one-room III. Inventory ...... 15 United States. During its active lifetime, schoolhouses, magnificent courthouses the canal was critical to the settlements and rural churches. It was their work A. Natural Resources ...... 15 in the Northwest Territories. ethic, dedication and faith that helped Glacier the region prosper. The focus of this plan is the second Soils longest contiguous portion of historic The region also is blessed with Flora canal in the United States. Only New exceptional natural resources and Fauna York’s Erie Canal is longer. The 59-mile recreational opportunities, making it canal section stretches from Delphos in a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. B. Cultural Resources ...... 19 Allen County south to Piqua in Miami Its land is among the most fertile in the Cultural Demographics County and has miles of feeders from state. These resources require careful reservoirs that supply water to the canal. stewardship to ensure they remain Transportation In its glory the canal and its feeders in the future. (Feasibility Study: Executive IV. Public Input/Education ...... 27 measured more than 300 miles. Summary, 1/2000) V. Hydrologic/Hydraulics Section ...... 31

VI. Recreation Needs ...... 35

VII. Goals & Recommendations ...... 37

VIII. A Driving Tour of the Miami and Erie Canal ...... 39 Map of the Miami and Erie Canal

X. Bibliography ...... 61

4 5 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

The gates to Ohio’s frontier were opened in the 1790s with the

end of the Indian conflicts. Settlements lined the rivers and later the national road (U.S. Route 40), which was completed in the 1820s. History Large sections of the state remained unsettled with no reliable forms II In 1803, legislation went before Congress to carve the first of several states of transportation to reach them. from the Federal Territories. The Northwest Territory north of the Ohio River sought to become a state. And while the requisite number of residents inhabited the area, only an occasional wandering pioneer or frontiersman visited the region.

The seeds of a great civilization had could be eased, commerce increased York. The young state was desperate been planted along the Ohio, Miami and industry given a boost toward for an inexpensive system of delivery. and Scioto Rivers, yet the interior the future. In February 1803, For a time, legislative pressure was remained isolated from the avenues Congress passed an act creating applied to the federal government to of commerce that meant future Ohio. When the state assembly build a road, resulting in the national growth and prosperity. Much of the met that March, among its first highway. But the cost of construction area consisted of untamed wilderness items of business was pondering and maintenance of such a road led where the bear, wolf, and cougar were Ohio’s potentially profitable interior. officials to question the merit of more prevalent than people. Dense Pioneer settlement located far afield extending it. There was no means yet forests, so old and thick that the sun from the principal rivers were capable of transporting large quantities of rarely shined on their leafy floors, of producing magnificent yields of goods quickly. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce stretched for miles. (M. & E. Canal, grain, fruit and livestock; however, and History, 1990, P. 1) Commerce and History, 1990, P. 1) the cost of getting those goods to markets along the Atlantic coastline Several surveys were reviewed prior It was the interior of the state, with was immense. Even as the New York to constructing the canal system. cheap land, that became the focus of market clamored for staples and retail Routes explored were abandoned investment in the region. Congress prices rose, the cost of flour remained because of difficult terrain and lack was convinced that by creating the well below the cost of transporting of sufficient water supply to the State of Ohio population pressure it from Ohio’s fertile interior to New canal. The Ohio Canal Commission

1803 1820 1817 1822 Ohio had grown to a population The National Road was completed Ohio state legislature In February 1803, Congress of 580,000 residents. only from Cumberland to Wheeling commissioned the first canal passed an act creating Ohio. Ohio suffered from a lack of and was an expensive method of feasibility survey in an effort transportation. The Ohio-Mississippi to bring a modern reliable reliable transportation to move New York broke ground river route was long and dangerous. transportation system to the its products to eastern markets. on a canal connecting growing state. Lake Erie with the Hudson River and New York City. CANAL TIME LINE CANAL

6 7 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

accepted a survey in 1825 and funds locks and aqueducts were preferably Mercer County Reservoir or their rock floor, which was then to provide building materials not stretch. Incomplete drainage meant were received by the legislature to built of stone, many were constructed Grand Lake, was an immense quarried for buildings stone locks only for the growing towns, but working in up to three feet of water, begin construction. Ohio Governor from native woods. The complex undertaking. Over the effective life and aqueduct abutments. Although also for export. The economy of infested with insects and disease. The Jeremiah Morrow turned the first canal structures built in the earliest of the Miami and Erie Canal, the official specifications mandated stone southwest Ohio boomed. On the sections of the canal built through spade of earth at Middletown. period of Ohio’s canal boom have reservoir gathered the tiny threads of boxes for each lock site, the swampy canal itself, the boats quickly grew to this region were among the last Actual construction moved north survived almost unchanged in spite available water into a mighty flood conditions made transporting stone a vast fleet, with improvements and completed. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and and south from Middletown with of official abandonment and neglect. that fed billions of gallons of water virtually impossible and construction experimentation under way. Canal History, 1990, P. 14) separate crews working to construct into the canal, allowing its effective engineers made regular use of the captains attempted to enlarge cargo All canal boats included as part of The canal was completed in 1844. the single reservoir, which had been and economical use. A second, immediately available oaks to form capacity by eliminating the draft the “crew” several pairs of horses or Numerous locks used little or recommended for the canal. With no much smaller reservoir, was built temporary wood locks. In order to animals and gave steam power a try. mules, a team out on the bank doing no stone and attempts to rebuild significant delays, the huge black pit just east and south of the village. assure future construction of stone (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and History, 1990, the pulling and relief teams on board. wooden locks using stone failed. The quickly took shape. The legislature The reservoir and the village both works to replace the wood locks, two P. 16) The pace would be four miles an stone locks from Loramie Summit mandated that the canal be no less bear the name of French-Canadian numbering systems were employed hour, the state-mandated speed limit north to Defiance were the exception. than 24-feet across at the bottom and trader Pierre Loramie. Loramie was to designate the water elevators, The greatest obstacle to completion on the canals. The seemingly slow (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and History, 1990, 40-feet at the top, from towpath lip essential to maintaining adequate stone locks being given sequential of the canal was encountered in to berm lip. They wanted a wide clear speed eliminated a wake behind the supplies of water for the descent Putnam County. The size of Grand P. 13) The Miami and Erie Canal boat, which would wash against the numbers for the entire system, wood was 244 miles long and had 105 avenue cut back on either right-of- from the Summit to the Miami locks being numbered in their own Lake had been a temporary problem, way. And from there, the Miami and bank, loosening clay and damaging Valley where water from the 7,200- locks, with an average of four miles sequence. as was the undertaking at Deep Erie Canal was created using only the walls. It also meant that the acre Lewistown Reservoir (Indian Cut, but it was the “jack wax” clay of between lock sites. Locking through shovels and horses. towing animals would not tire as Lake), located at the head of the The Miami and Erie Canal quickly Putnam County that proved to be required anywhere from eight to 15 minutes, depending on wicket size quickly, allowing them to haul boat Great Miami, assured abundant changed the face of Western Ohio. the real test of Ohio’s stamina. Mile A freight-carrying canal must be and the daring of crews in forcing and load between sixteen and twenty water for the Dayton to Cincinnati Along side the waterway a rich after mile, thick clay oozed over the flat and drop or raise boats through gates when the box was partially miles before switching teams. (M. & E. portion of the Canal. (M. & E. Canal, variety of social levels developed, new land. This was no ordinary clay. This locks. In areas of incline or decline, empty or full. In general, locking Canal, Commerce and History, 1990, P. 7) Commerce and History, 1990, P. 10) industries spawned and cities born. was sticky, heavy unyielding muck in economy suggests a minimum through slowed down the average In the south, numerous communities which people, animals and wagons number of complex water elevators. The project’s engineer reported that Work began just as quickly as speed of a boat by 25 percent, to just began to prosper, especially Dayton. became mired almost to the point The route of the Miami and Erie the most appropriate course for the workers were found, and by late 1831 over 3 mph for the trip from Toledo By 1830, much of the region had of not being able to get free. It was Canal is filled with twists, turns and canal lay between two low, swampy an emerging towpath provided a firm to Cincinnati. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce been cleared and settled, the older impossible to use drags to move the curves, but each is meant to alleviate areas, one to the east of Loramie’s roadway through what only months and History, 1990, P.9) (M. & E. Canal, the need for raising and lowering Settlement and another to the before had been impenetrable log cabins giving way to magnificent thick clay and it became necessary Commerce and History, 1990, P. 20) boats. Thus, the canal is often dug northwest, near Girty’s Town. The swamp. Over the entire route huge brick and wood frame buildings. to remove each load by hand, from to great depth or elevated above the latter would become a vast inland trees were felled to create a massive Hundreds of mills appeared on the nearly 10 miles of canal. So difficult Boating was a around-the-clock surrounding ground level to provide sea that would flood the canal for scar 120-feet wide. Rivers were berm path or on parallel races near was the work that it claimed more operation. Boats were equipped with a level path for the water. Although years to come. That reservoir, the dammed and drained to expose the locks. Lumber yards sprang up lives than any other comparable kerosene lanterns or coal oil lamps,

1825 1827 1828 1830 1832 The entire 308-mile route of the Ohio-Erie July 25, July 3, 1827-Governor The Miami Canal was open to traffic. Construction Trimble and the canal was in operation of the first leg commission boarded a canal from Middletown of the Canal boat in Akron and the next to Cincinnati. from Middletown day arrived in Cleveland. to Cincinnati began.

17 miles were completed to Dayton. CANAL TIME LINE CANAL

8 9 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

called “bulls eyes” after the Freznel in heaps of sawdust and would be with the introduction of the railroad system, especially in the mill towns vessels in the spring and fall carrying destroying locks, banks, abutments Lens used to intensify the beam. sold through the summer months. during the 1840s and 1850s, the that lined the canal. With leased the entire family out for a hunt. and much of the industrial corridor. Both night and day, horns were used Ice-skating over the frozen canal Miami and Erie Canal provided for water rights, many an owner resisted During the summer, they provided to get the attention of people on the provided both sport and an efficient huge shipments of supplies and men efforts to electrify and insisted that quick income from providing picnic The Palm Sunday Flood in1913 marked the end of the canal and bank. As a rule, the towpath was on way to get from town to town. (M. & for the war effort. Newspapers all the state maintain an adequate trips up and down the canal. The official abandonment was ordered. the west side of the canal for boats E. Canal, Commerce and History, 1990, P. 21 & across the state heralded them as supply of water to turn the wheels Wabash & Erie was abandoned west Along the Toledo to Defiance route, going either direction. Disabled or 22) the very saviors of the Union. The and provide cooling water for of Junction as early as 1878 and the where much of the construction had stopped boats steered themselves canal made it possible to release rail machinery. Between Cincinnati and end was in sight for the remainder of Operating a boat was reserved for been in stone, the canal weathered against the east bank to clear the equipment for use elsewhere without Toledo a city or town had sprung up the waterway. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce relatively well-to-do owners and their the floods much better and traffic channel for other traffic. The polite any significant delay in moving war every seven to ten miles and each lock and History, 1990, P. 29) hired men. Canal boating on larger persisted until well into the 1920s, captain of a downstream vessel gave material across the state. site possessed its own variety of mills, vessels quickly became the premier By 1904, a devastating flood swept making it the last income producing right of way to the upstream traffic, shops and houses, most of which form of travel in Ohio. Travel took Between 1845 and 1851, canal away aqueducts and lock gates. The section of the system. The Dayton to dropping his towrope to the canal were glamorized by the addition of four days from Cincinnati to Toledo. revenues generated by charging tolls a village name. Hotels, restaurants, state was in no position to revive Cincinnati portion, in spite of valiant bottom to let the other boat pass. (M. Passengers were assured a safe place to pass through certain points along and general stores lined the canal in the canal, although local efforts efforts by the Cincinnati Club Inland & E. Canal, Commerce and History, 1990, P. 20) from storms, comfortable lodging the waterways, increased yearly, an almost unending procession from succeeded in bringing parts of it Waterways Committee in 1909, was back to life. Sections of the canal The boating season ran from March and freedom from unrelenting reaching a high point of nearly Lake Erie to the Ohio River and all abandoned shortly after that date. underwent wholesale abandonment until well into November, at which mud. The boats traded in bumpy $800,000. Tolls began to decline did sufficient trade to keep alive the Dayton to Delphos survived only a or were kept in shape only by the time the family and crew would wagon seats and uncomfortable after 1851 as rails replaced the canal dream that each tiny local would year longer, with the last toll paying efforts of long suffering neighbors return to their home. For many years, saddles for the ease of a chair or as primary freight hauler. In 1861, one day become another Dayton or boat clearing the locks at Spencerville and townspeople. In 1912, the the canal was winter-drained and bench. Unlike many new forms of the legislature approved a 10-year Cincinnati. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and in 1906. The last boats to pay tolls entire stretch of the canal between boats had to be parked in convenient transportation, canal boating was lease transferring the Miami and History, 1990, P. 28-29) were a sad copy of those that had relatively inexpensive. A cross-state Erie Canal to private operators, a Delphos and Defiance was effectively wide waters for wintering, leaving been towed over the same waterway trip cost $1.20 in 1847, a price lease that was renewed in 1867. By State maintenance of the waterway destroyed when the power company the channel clear for any necessary less than a century before; aged, thousands gladly paid for the hearty 1863 the terminal at Cincinnati began to decline in proportion to the insisted that the state interrupt the repairs. In the later years, draining leaking, peeling paint. (M. & E. Canal, meals, almost bug-free beds and was abandoned, its huge wharves decreasing traffic and by 1885 only flow of water at Jennings Creek the canal was abandoned. Boats Commerce and History, 1990, P. 29-30) timely arrival. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and docks filled in so rails could be a few companies even attempted the Aqueduct to divert canal water left parked in the canal often were and History, 1990, P. 22 & 27) installed. Within 10 years, terminal trip from one end of the state to the into the upper Auglaize. The In its 80-year life span, the Miami damaged by ice and needed to be wharves in Toledo and Cleveland other. On the local scene, numerous northern third of the original Miami and Erie Canal is credited with repaired. As late as 1910 several The canal rapidly opened up Ohio’s were transferred. (M. & E. Canal, small operators continued to thrive Extension ceased to exist as water bringing to Ohio its most exciting dry docks still functioned, “parking” interior to development and for a Commerce and History, 1990, P. 28) and a new type of vessel, the pleasure drained through the dynamited period of growth. Historians agree boats on heavy timber risers to number of years the freight carried craft, began to show up in increasing floor of the aqueduct. A year later that no other mode of transportation prevent damage. On the canal, blocks on the canal represented almost The Miami and Erie Canel remained numbers. These refitted passenger a second flood, worse than that has ever contributed as much, of ice were regularly cut and stored the entire output of the state. Even an important local transportation boats served as family recreational of 1904, swept down the canal, as quick and cheap as the canal

1832 1833 1843 1845 1850 To satisfy political demands additional segments were parceled out to contractors until 1845 1832 a group of German immigrants when the entire canal was open to traffic from founded New Bremen near the mid- the Ohio River to Lake Erie. point of the canal. A trading post was established in Spencerville when the canal was being constructed through the area. The Marguerite was built. The “Miami Extension” to Troy was not started until 1833. CANAL TIME LINE CANAL

10 11 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

system. The canal corridors of east corridor had never existed. Perhaps Summary of the Miami and Erie Canal and west Ohio became vital to the Toledo and Cincinnati would have state. The Miami and Erie system grown into mighty cities, but places Nearly 200 years ago, hands dug 1825 near Middletown. It was built reservoirs, and “Deep Cut” that was had an accounted “cost” in 1845 of like Middletown, Franklin, Dayton, canals that crossed the state of Ohio. in sections until completed in 1845. 6,600 feet long and 52 feet deep. $8,062,680.80, of which nearly 25 Sidney, Piqua, Ft. Loramie, Minister, This extended water transportation The total cost was more than $8 But for all this work, the canal faced percent was paid for by the sale of New Bremen, St. Marys, Celina, system helped develop Ohio as million, financed by bonds and the fierce competition from another form U.S. land within Ohio borders. It Delphos, Defiance, Napoleon… settlers found an easier way into the sale of federal lands. of transportation – the railroad. The has been estimated that to rebuild might never have existed. Ohio wilderness, and commerce peak year for the Miami and Erie the canal to its original specifications Innumerable families have lived by, Irish, French, and German found a cheaper way to expand. Canal was 1851, with revenues of so that boats 80-feet long and 15- worked on and played in the Miami immigrants, who labored for 31 cents $351,897 and approximately 400 feet wide could again haul goods and Erie Canal, the larger portion The Miami and Erie Canal, a day and a jigger of whiskey, did boats in operation. would cost in excess of $5 billion of them attracted to the west coast traversing 249 miles from Cincinnati most of the work. They manually dollars and that does not include of Ohio by that self-made body of to Toledo, was begun on July 25, moved trees, rocks and soil to costs for surveys, engineering studies water. The Miami and Erie, though create the “Big Ditch” through the or environmental impact studies. only remnants, continues to hold a wilderness. Structures on the canal In 1935, as canal lands were being fascination for many residents and included 22 aqueducts, three guard deeded to farmers, cities, railroads visitors alike, which see the corridor locks, 105 lift locks, three major and neighbors at an alarming as a vital link from the past to rate, the Ohio Auditor’s Office tomorrow. (M. & E. Canal, Commerce and estimated that the Miami and Erie History, 1990, P. 30) Canal had been, in the long haul, a profitable venture for the state, earning over and above the cost of construction and maintenance almost 15% dividends for the state, an incredible figure in an age when 3% return was considered to be not only adequate, but excellent. The total profit made on and alongside the canal is incalculable, but it is easy to imagine the difference if the

1851 1900 1903 1913 In 1989, management and operation of the 1989 remaining canal system was transferred from the The Marguerite Department of Administrative Services to the Ohio caught fire and Department of Natural Resources. Responsibility sank in the canal at Revenue receipts for operations Delphos. were their highest. of the hydraulics At its peak, Ohio’s After 1855 the maintenance and canal system impact of the March 23, 1913-Ohio’s water sales was consisted of almost railroads began to canal system came to assigned to the 1,000 miles of main be felt. an abrupt end. After Division of Water. line canals, feeders In 1903, water sales income a winter of record and side cuts. from selling canal water to snowfall, storms dumped an abnormally heavy amount of rain Located in forty- businesses and industries on the state. The flood caused the reservoirs to spill over four of Ohio’s exceeded the income from into the canals, destroying aqueducts, washing out banks, and eighty-eight counties, the canals touched the freight carried on the canal. devastating most of the locks. CANAL TIME LINE CANAL lives of all the state’s citizens.

12 13 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

The canal has a collection of natural III Inventory and cultural resources from wildlife to Natural Resources: Prehistoric/Historic recreational facilities. Ohio’s Till Plains are the rich western farmlands. It was here that America’s early pioneers first found fertile agricultural land, as they headed west. The region was covered with dense woodlands, with trees growing thickly in response to the same rich soils that would later support corn, soybeans, and wheat.

These soils, in turn, were products point south about 20,000 years ago. and the nature of the till. Anyone of the natural breakdown of the These advances of the glacier have with an understanding of how these basic geologic materials of the area. carved and shaped Ohio into the factors can affect soil differences Glacial clays, gravels and underlying state it is today. (Ohio’s Natural Heritage, not only comprehend soils better, sedimentary bedrock make up the 1979, p. 202.) but will find soils a most useful tool rich soils. These materials, the glacial in interpreting the glacial story of deposits, the soils, the plants and Soils of the Till Plains western Ohio, as well as contributing animals reveal a part of the history of The Till Plains of Ohio are famous to a better understanding of the Ohio that is an essential part of the for Miamian soils. To the south are distribution of plants and animals heritage. (Ohio’s Natural Heritage, 1979, p. the Miamian soils developed in loam there. (Ohio’s Natural Heritage, 1979, p. 205.) 199.) or clay loam till. To the north are soils developed in clay-rich till, for Flora of the Till Plains Glaciers example, Blount soils. The extra clay Most of the vegetation in the Till The Ice Age glaciers advanced in this till is believed to have been Plains today are corn, soybeans, and across the Till Plains several times. deposited in a temporary lake formed wheat. Extensive stands of natural Deposits of four major ice advances during glacial retreat and have been vegetation are found only on poorer are recognized, each differentiated picked up and incorporated in the till land and along stream valleys. on the basis of soils, geographic and deposited by the re-advancing Even in these areas, the vegetation distribution of materials, and ice. The Miamian and Blount soils is frequently brushy and second stratigraphic relationships. Smaller are both found in late Wisconsinan growth. Locally a few remnants differences in these same factors high-lime tills, the high-lime of the original woodland remain. also have been used to identify five characteristic being a result of the Examples of these are Hueston different retreated phases of the last influence of the Paleozoic limestone- Woods State Nature Preserve near ice advance. Of all the main advances, dolomite bedrock of the Till Plains. Oxford, Culberson Woods (Villars only the last, the Late Wisconsinan, Chapel Woods) State Nature has been dated extensively by The two main factors affecting the Preserve near Wilmington, and radiocarbon means, so that it is nature of the soils formed in western Cedar Bog State Memorial near known to have reached its farthest Ohio tills are the age of the deposit Urbana. The Ohio Department of

14 15 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

mixed mesophytic forests, composed of many different types of trees requiring good soil aeration. Beech-maple forests still are the characteristic woodland type on Ohio’s Late Wisconsinan Till Plains. Dominated by American beech and sugar maple, this woodland type also generally includes red oak, white oak, Wet, mixed-oak woodlands are dominated by areas, the principal plants were wet grasses and shagbark hickory, white ash, and wild black pin oak, swamp white oak, bur oak, shagbark sedges, species such as giant reed and bluejoint cherry, and occurs on flat to gently rolling hickory, and where soil is less wet, by white grass generally dominating and producing till plains, on both ground and end moraine, and red oaks. Both swamp forest and mixed- what are known as “wet prairies.” In areas that throughout western Ohio. oak woods may occur on wet sites, and it is not tended to become drier toward the end of the known what determines which of these two summer, other species, considered to be typical Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Oak-maple woods, in contrast, occur where woodland communities will be present at any of the western prairies, were present including and the Ohio Historical Society, fortunately, the land is a little drier, due to somewhat site. Though the mixed-oak woods seem more queen-of-the-prairie, purple coneflower, prairie are now preserving many of these remnants. steeper slopes or drier substrate (such as likely to occur where the land is wetter and the dock, and big bluestem grass. gravel). Oak-maple woodlands are very similar soils have more clay. The original vegetation of the area, before its to beech-maple, but lack the beech, which These were the type of forests found in the Till destruction by settlers, was mostly woodland, require continuously moist substrates and do Prairies, or treeless areas, occurred in Plains by the early settlers. This vast country composed entirely of species adapted to the not easily withstand the periodic late-summer association with all the more extensive stands full of bountiful resources helped build the local environment. With clearing, draining, droughts encountered with this forest type. of mixed-oak woods, wherever conditions were State of Ohio into what it is today. (Ohio’s Natural and cropping, the environmental conditions Growing with sugar maple in this woodland too wet to permit growth of trees. In these Heritage, 1979, p. 206-208.) have been changed and many of the species type are black maple, red oak, white oak, and that were originally common now occur only black walnut. Fauna of the Till Plains locally, having been replaced by crops and Animal life in the Till Plains is as varied as the vegetation and geology. However, the diversity Where the ground is particularly flat and weeds. Because roughly 95 percent of the Till here is much less than that of the wooded hills of eastern Ohio, because of intense farming, poorly drained, these forests are replaced by Plains is now in farmland or urban areas, the urbanization and the destruction of essential habitats. The best-known animals of the Till wetter woodlands, either swamp forest or only way to determine the original vegetation Plains include fish, amphibians (frogs and salamanders), reptiles (snakes and turtles), birds and mixed oaks. Swamp woods are dominated is by observing limited remnants and studying mammals. early land-survey records, in which surveyors by American elm (now mostly dead), black identified sites by their locations relative to ash, red and/or silver maple, blackgum, and specific adjacent trees. shagbark and shellbark hickory. Pin oak is FISH AMPHIBIANS REPTILES present in places, especially where the soils The many streams, rivers and Amphibians with ranges Of the many reptiles found The kinds of trees growing in the original contain much clay, and swamp white oak is lakes of the region support centered in Ohio’s Till Plains in Ohio, only a few have woodland varied from place to place, found in the wettest sites. Such woods occur good populations of fish. are the striped chorus frog their ranges in the Till depending on soils and environment. Beech- on poorly drained uplands not on floodplains Some of the more common and small-mouth and tiger Plains. Most of these are sugar maple forests occupied most of the Till species include largemouth salamanders. Other species, snakes. These reptiles are (where sycamore, cottonwood, American such as spring peepers, the eastern garter snake, bass, smallmouth bass, white Plains, though some areas were a little drier elm, honey locust, wild black cherry, green bullfrogs, green frogs and Butler’s garter snake, eastern and had stands of oak-sugar maple. Extensive ash, and willow are found). Unfortunately, bass, sunfish, crappie, channel American toads are also plains garter snake, the blue wet areas supported both swamp forest or the Dutch elm disease and phloem necrosis catfish, and bullhead catfish. present. racer, northern copperbelly, mixed oaks (wet), and generally also included have decimated the American elm, so that the eastern Massasauga some wet prairies. Farther south, along the live specimen of this species are becoming (or swamp rattler), and the bluffs of the Ohio River, were a few stands of spotted turtle. Reptiles with increasingly less common. wide ranges in Ohio, which also occur in fair abundance

16 17 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

in the Till Plains, include the Plains include the eastern Early People queen snake, the northern meadowlark, horned lark, water snake, the snapping red-headed woodpecker, The Palaeo Indians were the first inhabitants of the area. Following the Palaeo Indians were turtle, and the painted turtle. cowbird, savannah sparrow, the Archaic, Glacial Kame, Adena, Hopewell, Late Woodland and the Fort Ancient. In the The fence lizard and the song sparrow, woodcock, mid-to-late 1700s, the area became a stronghold of the Miami and Shawnee tribes. After copperhead, two species wild turkey and other General Anthony Wayne’s victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Greenville Treaty of 1795 found in eastern Ohio, also game birds native to Ohio. stripped the Native Americans of their lands. Less than a year after the treaty, the first settlers live in southwestern Ohio, Until recent years, the arrived in the Miami Valley. but only in hills along the upland plover, boblink, Ohio River Valley. However, dickcissel, and vesper Till Plains include red It seems that the settlers were attracted to the area because of fertile soils and timber. When the fox, red squirrel, thirteen- poisonous copperhead snakes sparrow were common, but Miami and Erie Canal was completed, the area became quite prosperous. Underlying the rich are rare there now, just as lately these have declined lined ground squirrel, records for the once-common in numbers. Most of these whitetailed deer, raccoon, fertile soils were vast gravel and sand deposits that provided excellent materials for road making. Massasauga rattler are rare are characteristic of open opossum, woodchuck, Hundreds of miles of roads were built with these materials, making this part of the state one of elsewhere in the Till Plains. fields, so they would have skunk, rabbit, eastern the most accessible. been uncommon in the mole, short-tailed shrew, BIRDS days before the prehistoric weasel (long-tailed and Many species of birds are woodlands were cut. In least), muskrat, little Cultural Resources found in the Till Plains. addition a number of brown bat, white-footed The cultural landscape of the corridor remains centered on agriculture and the heritage that Open plains with brushy species are present because mouse, deer mouse, remains since settlement. That culture and heritage is predominantly of German descent, with margins or forested humans introduced them. meadow vole and prairie some French in Shelby and Darke counties. Descendants of many Irish who worked on the floodplains provide a natural Such species are the house vole. Most of these diversity of habitat, which sparrow, starling, pigeon, animals are found in canal can also be found. The underlying current is the continuity of the families. The majority attracts birds and makes purple martin, barn scattered wooded areas, of families can readily trace their roots back to their European heritage. Once the settlers arrived available cover, food, water swallow, chimney swift, and some live in open here, the quality of life provided little reason to leave. This trend continues today and serves as a and nesting areas. Relatively robin, eastern bluebird, fields where cover is major factor in the communities along the corridor. Those that do leave, whether for college or common birds of the Till house wren, catbird, and available. Even where the professional pursuits, often return because of this high quality of life. ring-necked pheasant. effects of urbanization are great, two species The area along the corridor is comprised of rich farmland with prosperous, well-maintained MAMMALS normally also occur: farms, historical sites and buildings, natural and recreational areas, and many tourist attractions. Mammals present on the the house mouse and (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.3) Till Plains today are mostly Norway rat. Two species normally found only in small. Larger forms require Architectural Landscape: more extensive territories eastern Ohio woodlands, Agricultural Significance: and thus compete, generally the gray squirrel and the The region surrounding the canal is The architectural landscape consists of various unsuccessfully, with people. chipmunk, are also found considered the finest farmland in the state. historic buildings with several listed on the Mammals common on the locally in the Till Plains. Mercer and Darke counties are consistently National Register of Historic Places. first and second in Ohio for agricultural It should also be noted that in several production. (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.4) communities the listing is inclusive of an All the species listed above are found on mountain lion, bobcat, lynx, otter, porcupine, entire downtown area. Of special note are the Ohio’s Till Plains today. However, like the and beaver. None of these species lasted courthouses at the county seats of the counties vegetation, different species of animals lived long after the settlers arrived. Some were incorporated into the corridor. Although here in the past. During postglacial time, killed for meat, and some were killed because similar, each of the seven courthouses offers mastodon, mammoth, ground sloth, and they preyed on farm animals or ate crops. a differing concept of architectural style and giant beaver were present on the Till Plains. In addition, the passenger pigeon, which provides a unique opportunity for study. All of these became extinct about 10,000 had been present in Ohio in great numbers (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.4) years ago. At the time of the earliest settlers, previous to settlement, also was eliminated, large animals living in the Till Plains include not only in western Ohio, but throughout the black bear, wolf, bison, elk, whitetailed deer, world. (Ohio’s Natural Heritage, 1979, p. 209-213.)

18 19 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Historic Sites (not all-inclusive) (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.5) Listed alphabetically by county; Bold type indicates National Register- listed sites Archeological Sites Each park offers camping, boating, fishing, ALLEN COUNTY Minster Elementary School Otis Hospital Troy Public Square Dunns Pond Mound and Lake Ridge Island hunting, picnicking, swimming and hiking. Allen County Courthouse Six Mile Creek Aquaduct Precious Blood School and Twin Stone Arch Culvert Mounds (Logan County) are archeological Rectory Grand Lake St. Marys was constructed in Allen County Museum St. Augustine Church, Minster remains of the Hopewell and Woodland St. Aloysius Catholic Church SHELBY COUNTY 1837. The reservoir was a water source for the Macdonnel House (Banta Van St. John’s Catholic Church Botkins Elementary School Indians. Occasional digs are conducted on Dyke House) St. Anthony Catholic Church Miami and Erie Canal to maintain the canal’s St. Joseph Church (two Immaculate Conception the site of the former Fort St. Marys. (Feasibility Deep Cut Historic Site – Wapakoneta and Egypt) St. Bernard Catholic Church Rectory (Botkins) 4 foot water depth. Grand Lake was the Study, Wehrhahn, p.5) The Delphos Canal Museum St. Patrick Church (Glynwood St. Charles Center (former Lake Loramie State Park largest man-made lake in the world. The lake Church) seminary) Lima Memorial Hall (Allen Leighy Lake was connected to the canal by a three-mile County Memorial) The Fountain Hotel (Fort St. Frances Catholic Church Natural Resources feeder. The resources at Grand Lake St. Marys Barbee Hotel) Lockington Locks Historic Area Marks Family House St. Henry Catholic Church Natural resources within the region include include 500 acres of land and 13,500 acres of The Tumbles People’s Federal Savings and Metropolitan Block St. Joseph Church Loan abundant water, forests and wildlife. The water. Wapakoneta Commercial Round Barns (Delphos and St. Mary Catholic Church Port Jefferson School Mercer County Wildlife Refuge, the Miami Lima) Historic District St. Paul Catholic Church Sacred Heart of Jesus Rectory Conservancy District (Lockington Reserve), Lake Loramie was originally constructed in St. John’s Catholic Church Dr. Isaac Elmer Williams House and Office St. Peter Catholic Church St. Michael’s Catholic, Fort the Indian Lake State Wildlife Area and the 1824-25 as a storage reservoir to supply water AUGLAIZE COUNTY St. Rose Catholic Church Loramie Kendricks Woods Metro Park and State for the Miami and Erie Canal system. A short Forty Acre pond LOGAN COUNTY Brickman Covered Bridge St. Sebastian Catholic Church St. Remy Catholic Church Nature Preserve provide opportunities feeder canal connected Lake Loramie with the Alfred Rabe House Shelby County Courthouse Dunns Pond Mound St. Wendelin Catholic Church for wildlife observation. (Feasibility Study, main canal. The resources at Lake Loramie Auglaize County Courthouse Sidney Courthouse Square First Concrete Street in U.S. Wehrhahn, p.4) include 426 acres of land and 1,655 acres of Auglaize County Historical MIAMI COUNTY Historic Area Lake Ridge Island Mounds water. Society – Mooney Museum Arrowston (William Boal Sidney Feeder Logan County Courthouse Wood House and Estate) Belle of St. Marys Canal Boat Whitby Mansion Recreational Area Indian Lake State Park was built in 1851 as a Replica Fort Piqua Hotel McColly Covered Bridge Recreational opportunities abound in this feeder lake for water supply for the Miami and Bicycle Museum of America Abrams S. Piatt House and Hobart Circle Historic District VAN WERT COUNTY Bredeick-Lang House area. There are three state parks located Erie Canal. The canal system was declining as Bloody Bridge Donn S. Piatt House (Piatt Jackson African Cemetery Castles) Brumbaugh Library within this region. These parks include Grand the work on Indian Lake was completed. The Boesel Julius House (Kuck Miami County Courthouse House) MERCER COUNTY Old Tippecanoe Main Street George H. Marsh Homestead Lake St. Marys State Park, Indian Lake State resources at Indian Lake include 652 acres of Historic Area and The Marsh Foundation Canal Aqueduct Celina Main Street Historic School Park, and Lake Loramie State Park. Each land and 5,800 acres of water. (Feasibility Study, Area Piqua Downtown Historic Area Downtown St. Marys Historic Lock 24 is visited by thousands of people each year Wehrhahn, p.8) Area Senator Thomas J. Godfrey Piqua Historic Area State Round Barns looking for a place to recreate in the outdoors. Fort Amanda State Historic House Museum (Johnston Farm State Site Immaculate Conception Historic Site) Van Wert County Courthouse Grand Lake St. Marys Bulkhead Church Willshire School (Parkway Junior High School) Existing Tourist Attractions and Museums (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.8) Lock Fourteen Maria Stein Center Lock Eight Mercer County Courthouse Allen County Historical District Memorial New Bremen Spencerville Mercer County Historical Museum - Lima Covered Bridge Historical Museum Lock One Kendrick Woods - St. Marys New Bremen Museum Auglaize County Metro Parks and Historical Museum St. Marys State Lock Two Historical Society- State Nature Preserve Memorial Park Fish Hatchery Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Ohio Caverns William Luellman House Mary Catholic Church Mooney Museum - St. Marys - St. Marys Deep Cut Wilderness Historic Park Mercer County Piatt Castles Trail Museum MacDonnel House Historical Museum Ross Historical Center - Fort Loramie (Banta Van Dyke Johnston Farm State House) - Lima Historic Site - Piqua Miami and Erie Canal Shelby County Parks Zane Caverns Recreational Trail, Belle of St. Marys The Land of the Buckeye Trail, North Cross-Tipped Country National The Bicycle Churches Scenic Byway Scenic Trail Museum of America - New Bremen Lockington Locks Miami and Erie Canal Scenic Byway Delphos Canal Mad River Mountain Museum Ski Resort The Neil Armstrong Maria Stein Air and Space Museum Johnny Appleseed - Wapakoneta Metropolitan Park Heritage Museum

20 21 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Major Industries Along the Corridor (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p.9) RAILWAYS AAP St. Marys Corp. Crown Equipment Hartzell Propeller Precision Strip R.J. Corman Railroad Corporation BP Chemicals Honda of America Proctor and Gamble parallels the canal Dannon Yogurt Cargill Metzer Popcorn Reynolds and Reynolds between Minster and Evenflo Cater Lumber Minster Machine Setex St. Marys, crosses the Ford Motor Company Central Soya Omni Manufacturing St. Marys Foundary canal at St. Marys and General Dynamics Clark Oil Palmer Donovan Spring Greek Corporation proceeds northward to Globus Printing Con-Ag, Inc. Parker Cylinder Division Van Dyne Crotty, Inc. Lima. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Copeland Corporation Post Printing Indiana High Rail (formerly the Spencerville and Elgin Infrastructure Support, Present Transportation Railroad) crosses the BIKEWAYS and Future Needs (Feasibility Study, (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 11-12) canal at Spencerville. Part of the canal towpath, largely between Wehrhahn, p.11) Minster and New Bremen, is usable as a Water, sewer and electrical resources are ROADWAYS CSX Transportation crosses the canal and the bikeway. A bike path is also available along State Route 66, already designated as the Miami plentiful for present and future needs Sidney Feeder along its east-west route. Ohio 703, on the north side of Grand Lake and Erie State Scenic Byway, parallels the canal within the communities along the corridor. St. Marys. There are several other bike paths A spur from the Norfolk Southern east-west between Delphos and Piqua. Other significant in adjacent counties. highways that cross the canal are: mainline crosses the canal at Delphos. 66 U.S. Route 33, Ohio 119 (The Land WALKWAYS DELPHOS of the Cross-Tipped Churches State AIR TRAVEL 30 The central towpath is also part of the County airports in Auglaize, Miami, Mercer, 309 Scenic Byway), Ohio 29, Ohio 47, Buckeye Trail, North Country Scenic Defiance T 81 and Shelby counties and a small airport LIMA Ohio 81, Ohio117, Ohio 197, rail Rd Trail and an Ohio Department of Natural at Delphos are closest to the center of the SPENCERVILLE Ohio 219, and Ohio 274. Resources recreational trail. Along with the 117 corridor, while others are more peripheral. KOSSUTH National Rd walkway between the villages of New Bremen The region is also served by Interstate 75, which Commercial air service is available at Dayton and Minster, these trails represent outstanding 75 runs north and south. Interstate 70, which runs International Airport and Fort Wayne opportunities for pedestrian recreation. Since east and west, passes along the southern edge (Indiana) International Airport. Glynwood Rd WAPAKONETA the towpath and its associated trails intersect 33 of the corridor. U.S. Route 30, which runs east ST. MARYS Grand Lake St. Marys community parks along their route, parking is 18 and west, passes along the northern edge of WATERWAYS NEW KNOXVILLE available at these locations. 219 the corridor. U.S. Route 33 runs east and west The St. Marys River crosses under the canal at 274 NEW BREMEN through the heart of the corridor. The National the St. Marys Aqueduct. The canal flows over Road (U.S. 40) runs east and west through the 119 into the Six Mile Creek at Six-Mile Spillway. MINSTER 119 corridor. Lake Loramie Other major streams in the area are the Great 705 FT LORAMIE 47 Commercial bus transportation is available Miami and Auglaize rivers. Other important PORT JEFFERSON NEWPORT Leighty Lake waterways are Jennings Creek, Loramie Creek, 47 SIDNEY at Lima and Sidney within the corridor and

r Painter Creek and Turtle Creek. e iv R 66 i at Dayton, approximately 20 miles from the m ia M t a LOCKINGTON re G southern edge of the corridor. Rental cars are available through several 48 36 PIQUA automobile dealerships within the corridor. Rental cars from the major automobile rental 75 chains are available at Dayton International 66 Airport.

22 23 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Educational Resources Land Ownership Patterns (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 12) (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 13) The region prides itself on its educational For the most part, ownership of the canal resources within its public systems, including within Allen, Auglaize and Van Wert counties workforce and academic training. Regional lies with the Ohio Department of Natural institutes of higher learning include: Resources. The only exception is the section passing through the Village of New Bremen, Apollo Career Center, Lima which the village owns. Bluffton College Ownership of the land surrounding the three Edison State University, Piqua feeder reservoirs lies with the state parks and private individuals. High Point Adult Programs-Logan Ownership of the canal through Shelby James Rhodes State College County, including the Sidney Feeder, is mixed. Following the state’s abandonment Ohio Northern University-ADA of the canal, many property owners believed The OSU – Lima Campus the canal properties reverted to the original landowners. Complicating matters were University of Northwestern Ohio-Lima deeds that were executed giving portions of the canal over to private ownership. ODNR Vantage Career Center states that the more recent deeds provide an Wright State University-Lake Campus, access easement along the canal right-of-way. Celina Such easements are defined from the top of the bank to the foot of the slope. Private landowners who believe in a stricter definition often dispute this definition. The Ohio Historical Society owns the canal from the Johnston Farm State Historic Site in Miami County to the Lockington Locks State Historic Site in Shelby County. South of the Johnston Farm, the state owns the canal right of way through Piqua.

24 25 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

This part of the plan will explore IV Public Input/ and illustrate local and regional

desires and concerns of the Education

general public, special interest MECCA groups and individuals regarding The Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association (MECCA) is a 501 (c) (3) tax the history, development and exempt, non-profit organization working on the development of the Miami and Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. The association creates educational programs, recreational opportunities within publications and events, and develops strong partnerships to preserve, interpret, and develop the natural, historical, and recreational resources along the corridor. The public input the historic Miami and Erie Canal from Delphos to Piqua. process helps ensure that the MECCA facilitates and coordinates MECCA publishes a newsletter, issues and recommendations MECCA is dedicated to raising awareness and public support for the informational stakeholder’s meeting maintains a web site (www.meccainc. presented in this document take abundant resources along the Miami to build concern on the future org) and regularly operates display and Erie Canal. The association development of the canal corridor. booths at special events. The into consideration the desires serves as the regional clearinghouse They have maintained a presence organization has plans to construct for canal-related information and with displays at county fairs, a mobile museum in the form of a and concerns of citizens living events. MECCA serves as the conducted “Work Days” to get the replica canal boat that will travel to regional voice of canal-associated public involved in clearing the canal special events and share with the in the Miami and Erie Historic partners regarding issues at the local, towpath and have given presentations public the heritage of the canal. The to community groups. organization has also developed a Canal Corridor. state and federal level. promotional video that is used with MECCA seeks to create a multi-use In addition, MECCA also held and without accompanying oral recreational trail along the historic public open houses in St. Marys, presentations to educate the public Towpath Trail and build local Minster, Spencerville and Delphos on the Miami and Erie Canal and partnerships for the preservation, in January 1998, to seek approval MECCA. (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. interpretation and development of for its mission. Average attendance 19) the natural, historic and recreational at each of these meeting was 30-40 resources. people. Media coverage has also been MECCA maintains an office in New impressive with representatives from Bremen Ohio. This office will be MECCA Facilitates and coordinates the major communities within the developed into an informative and informational stake holder’s meeting corridor providing coverage of special interpretive center of the Miami and to build concern on the future events. Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. development of the canal corridor.

26 27 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Public Survey A questionnaire was developed by development, special features, existing and Interpretive Efforts MECCA to solicit input from local proposed opportunities, management and (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 10) citizens and the general public regarding financing. Listed below is a compiled list that Currently interpretive services are Department of Natural Resources to the Miami and Erie corridor. The represents some of the concerns, thoughts conducted in Allen County by the provide identification signs along the survey was looking for input on future and suggestions made by the public. Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park Miami and Erie Canal Towpath. • Create a multi-use • Enhance recreational • Develop/improve law District through biannual interpretive recreational trail along the opportunities: canoeing, enforcement in the area. walks along the canal at Deep Cut. Interpretation of the canal history is historic Towpath Trail. fishing, camping, and Extensive educational programs, also conducted at the Delphos Canal • Develop the area with the Museum and at the Johnston Farm • Develop an educational hiking. use of public grants. including rides on a replica boat are also conducted at the Johnston Farm Historic State Historic Site in Piqua. The Allen program on the history of • Develop programs to • Area to be managed by a the corridor. increase tourism. Site. County Historical Museum in Lima, combination of state, county although focusing on Lima’s rich railroad • Use as a drainage ditch to and local municipalities. Signage at Deep Cut, Bloody Bridge, heritage, has a static one-half inch to control surface water. Memorial Park in St. Marys and foot scale model of a timber canal lock. Lock One in New Bremen provides There is also information at Spencerville, information about the canal at those New Bremen, Minster, Wilderness Trail Organized Public Input (Support Groups): (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 20) sites. A new signage program was Museum and Ross Historical Center all Allen County Lima-Allen County New Bremen Shelby County Regional recently introduced by the Ohio have can related historical information. Historical Society Chamber of Commerce Historical Society Planning Commission (Feasibility Study, Wehrhahn, p. 10-11) Allen Economic Lima-Allen County New Knoxville Shelby County Information Outlets Development Group Convention and Historical Society Historical Society • The Auglaize and Mercer • The Delphos Area • Logan County • The Sidney-Shelby Visitors Bureau Auglaize County Economic North Country National Shelby County Park Counties Convention and Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors County Chamber of Development Office Logan County Scenic Trail District Visitors Bureau Visitor Bureau Commerce Chamber of Commerce Center at Grand Lake St. • Indian Lake Area Auglaize County Ohio & Erie Canal Sidney Department of Chamber of Commerce • The Miami County • Van Wert Chamber of Historical Society Logan County Convention Corridor Coalition Parks and Recreation Marys State Park and Visitors Bureau Visitor and Convention Commerce Heritage Trails Park Ohio Department of Sidney-Shelby County • The Celina-Mercer • Indian Lake State Park Bureau District Logan County Economic Natural Resources, Chamber of Commerce County Chamber of • Lake Loramie State Park Development Office Division of Parks & Commerce • The St. Marys Area Auglaize-Mercer Counties Recreation Southwest Auglaize Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Logan County County Chamber of • Lima-Allen County Bureau Historical Society Ohio Department of Commerce Convention and Visitors Natural Resources, Bureau Buckeye Trail Association Marion Community Division of REALM Spencerville Area Development Organization Canal Commission Celina Department of Ohio Department of Parks and Recreation Mercer County Economic Natural Resources, Spencerville Area Conclusion Development Office Chamber of Commerce Celina-Mercer County Division of Water The communities along the corridor Through the work of MECCA and Chamber of Commerce Mercer County Ohio Department of Troy Historical Society have indicated mixed responses to the government agencies such as ODNR, Historical Society Celina Office of Natural Resources, Van Wert Area development of the corridor. Most are public awareness of the canal has risen Division of Wildlife Community Development Miami County Economic Chamber of Commerce enthusiastic for the prospects of the over the past few years. Community Development Office Delphos Canal Ohio Historical Society Van Wert Convention and project. Others are concerned for the volunteers regularly join these agencies Commission Miami County Visitors Ohio Canal Society Visitors Bureau impact of tourism in general, as they in scheduled workdays to clear and and Convention Bureau Delphos Chamber Ohio State University Van Wert County want to keep the land to themselves. clean portions of the canal and towpath. of Commerce Miami-Erie Canal Society Extension Economic Development Fortunately, those in the latter category The success of these ventures and the Office Delphos Historical Society Minster Historical Society Piqua Area are few, and those in the former category publicity they generate has been a great Chamber of Commerce Van Wert County are highly supportive. One landowner asset, both to the success of the corridor, Johnny Appleseed National Park Service, Historical Society Metropolitan Park District Rivers, Trails and Piqua Historical Society has even chosen to help keep the and to raise awareness of the value of Conservation Wapakoneta towpath along the back of his property this once- forgotten resource. (Feasibility Lake Development Assistance Program St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce Corporation Chamber of Commerce mowed for public use. Study, Wehrhahn, p. 14)

28 29 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

The ODNR Division of Water V Hydrologic/ management issues and concerns with the Miami and Erie Canal: Hydraulics • Public safety Current Watersheds • Water supply (M & E Canal Study from Fort Loramie to Delphos, 1986. P.II-3) • Best water practices Watersheds: Although the canal passes through three drainage • Partnership development basins, it hydrologically divides into seven sub-basins. These with local governments sections are as follows: agencies and communities • Section 1 • Section 4 • Section 6 • Public access for State Route 119 From Grand Lake From the north recreational use of south to Loramie St. Marys along the end of Forty Acre the canal corridor Creek. Feeder Canal to the Pond to the side • Section 2 St. Marys Power spillway north of • Wetland and wildlife State Route 119 Plant. (Lower Level) Spencerville. habitat preservation north though New • Section 5 • Section 7 • Water movement Bremen. From the St. Marys From the side under the canal and • Section 3 Power Plant to the spillway north of over rivers From north of New north end of Forty Spencerville to Bremen to the St. Acre Pond. Jennings Creek • Sediment control north of Delphos. and removal Marys Feeder Canal. • Eroding conditions of the upland areas Management Issues With the abandonment of the canal as a transportation mode in 1913, many landowners believed that the state had • Management of given up its rights to regulate water entering the canal. While the state had indeed chosen not to enforce these rights, it storm water did not give up the right of future regulation. • Stability of the canal Erosion & Sedimentation The canal program was transferred from the Department of banks and towpath. Three types of erosion occur along The entire remaining watered Administrative Services, Division of Public Works to ODNR on • Operable sound the canal: erosion from the St. canal suffers from sedimentation July 1, 1989. The ODNR Division of Water operates and maintains structures the canal and canal reservoirs on behalf of the director. Marys River overtopping blockages problems. The sediment comes • Water quality in the canal; upland erosion; and from agricultural surface practices, • Historical significance canal bank erosion. All stretches broken tile, urban construction that receive water from upland activities, street and parking lot • Aesthetics surface drainages receive upland sediments and bank erosion. erosion contributions. (M & E Canal Study From Fort Loramie to Delphos, 1986. P.III-2)

30 31 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Vegetation The entire remaining watered canal suffers from uncontrolled clarity. Poor water quality may also contribute to vegetation. There are four types of problems: vegetation problems as other undesirable species thrive in shallow water. • Wrong • Too much • Too little • Vegetation types of vegetation vegetation in the water Point source pollution contamination normally vegetation course covers both storm sewer outlets and agricultural All four problems exist in most areas, but not always together. The canal tiles. The term point source refers to any pipe was designed with a 1.7:1 slope and the side slopes were covered with outflow coming from a specific point of origin such grasses. A grass/legume critical area seeding mixture is the only type as a wastewater treatment plant or an industrial of vegetation that can hold such slopes under current usage conditions. discharger. There are several such locations along Riprap will be necessary in some areas. the canal, mostly in the Minster and St. Marys area. These locations should be tested and monitored Vegetation problems can be addressed in segments along each section. on an ongoing basis to assure that they are not When funding exists, brushy vegetation that is growing along areas, contributing pollutants to the water in the canal. (M which are mostly grassed, should be cut and sprayed as an ongoing & E Canal Study From Fort Loramie to Delphos, 1986. P.I-5) maintenance program. Brushy vegetation and trees should be cut from the bottom and sides of the banks and the banks replanted with a critical-area stabilization seeding mixture. Where vegetation is thin or the side slopes are barren, the banks should Impact of Current and Future Development be reshaped if necessary and the area reseeded with a critical-area When the canal first became a series With upland treatment methods, these the region. Storm water input must be stabilization seeding mixture. This work should be done in coordination of drainage channels, the land use in impacts could be stabilized or reduced. held at current levels. All jurisdictions with the silt removal program in each section to increase water depth in the region was mostly agricultural should adopt and follow both storm the canal. (M & E Canal Study From Fort Loramie to Delphos, 1986. P.III-2-3) with “crop rotation to meadow,” the Urbanizing impacts pose another issue. water and sediment/erosion programs common practice. As agricultural Lands adjacent to the canal in growing to ensure the long-term existence of communities are rapidly developing practices have gone “fence-row to the canal to reduce runoff flow rate. (M into subdivisions. As a result, runoff fence-row,” the canal already has seen & E Canal Study From Fort Loramie to Delphos, into the canal occurs at a faster rate. Water Quality its greatest impact from agricultural 1986. P.III-3) Water quality problems come from many sources: surface, sedimentation, erosion and vegetation. There are already land use conflicts in subsurface, lake or river overtopping, open ditches, and point sources. Surface water comes to the canal from agricultural runoff, roads, highways and urban storm water flow. Each type of surface flow is subject to its own set of possible contaminants and causes a Develop a Watershed Protection Management Plan number of reactions when it comes into contact with the canal flora and fauna. • Watershed Planning • Better Site Design • Storm Water • Address Non-Storm The future of the canal. Reduce impervious cover, Management Types: Water Discharge Subsurface water is generally limited to agricultural tile drainage. • Land Conservation conserve natural areas, ponds, wetlands. Septic systems, sanitary In some areas, the farmer may have connected a septic tank for a Identify key features in the and provide storm water Goals: protect stream sewer overflows, industrial home or milking parlor into the outlet. Most subsurface tile water landscape. treatment. channels, reduce storm discharges, feed lots. contaminants are limited to nutrients and/or pesticides, which • Erosion and Sediment water pollutants and • Watershed Stewardship • Aquatic Buffers groundwater recharge. tend to cause eutrophication of the canal during low (normal) flow Flood control, habitat Control Preconstruction Watershed restoration, periods. for wildlife, wetland and rural buffers. monitoring, education. protection and pollution Shallow water in the canal can also expedite growth of algae during reduction. the dry months. This growth of algae can reduce oxygen and water

32 33 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal VI Recreational Needs Recreation can take many forms. It may be spontaneous or planned, active or passive, organized or unorganized, done alone or require others. Recreation for one may be work or boring to another. Outdoor recreation can be defined as enjoyable activities that take place in the outdoors. Besides being fun, outdoor recreation is now recognized for many other benefits it provides to individuals and society.

Outdoor Recreational Current Development used for recreational purposes attract visitors to a community or Opportunities Current economic development such as: pedestrian activities, region. These visitors spend money The canal corridor can provide many plans within the corridor including wheelchair use; skating for transportation, lodging, food opportunities for outdoor recreation community focus on maintaining or skateboarding; equestrian and equipment rentals. Trails are in the form of products and services. and expanding business in contrast activities, including carriage driving; often associated with greenways The use and preservation of our to seeking large industries, or nonmotorized snow trail activities, that protect wildlife habitat. They including skiing; bicycling or use may also protect river systems or natural resources is at the heart of our focusing on cottage industries. of other human-powered vehicles; agricultural lands by providing efforts. Differing perceptions of the Concerns for the overall purpose for the canal has been addressed aquatic or water activities; and buffers and conserving soils. These words “use” and “preservation” seem through the efforts of MECCA motorized vehicular activities, and the other benefits generated by to be centered on the degree to which and local historical societies. The including all-terrain vehicle riding, trails must be better promoted and a park or facility is developed and issue is not to rebuild the canal, motorcycling, snowmobiling, use of marketed to legislators and other what physical form the development but to preserve the parts of it for off-road light trucks, or use of other decision makers so trail opportunities should take. Balancing these differing the enjoyment of present and off-road motorized vehicles.” are enhanced and needs are satisfied. views presents both opportunities and future generations. The recreational benefits of trails The central towpath of the challenges to those who plan for the The communities concerned, are obvious. Land trails and water Miami and Erie Canal is part of future. owing greatly to their agricultural trails can enhance the quality the Buckeye Trail and the North stewardship, recognize the of life by promoting health and Country National Scenic Trail. Our natural resources provide many need for drainage that the canal physical fitness, providing alternate It is an ODNR recreational trail. outdoor recreational opportunities. provides to the surrounding transportation routes, protecting and The towpath and the walkway According to the Statewide watershed. With this in mind, preserving habitat, and contributing between the villages of New economically to the area. Trails can Bremen and Minster represent Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation an economic development plan provide numerous opportunities for outstanding opportunities for Plan of 2003 (SCORP): “Recreation within the corridor communities would only be enhanced with interpretation where users can learn pedestrian recreation. The towpath means many different things to different recognition by the State of Ohio about nature, history or culture. and its associated trails intersect people. Recreation is commonly of the importance of the canal Trails can also preserve corridors community parks, providing linkages thought of as activity during leisure and its environs. (Feasibility Study, for future transportation and public to communities, parks, natural areas, time that is primarily motivated by the Wehrhahn, p. 15) utility needs. historic and cultural sites and other amenities. (SCORP 2003, Strategic Issues) pleasure or satisfaction derived from The ability of trails to enhance the activity. Recreation can also be Proposed Recreation Ohio’s economy and increase tourist The historic towpath is the definition considered as an emotional state that The Federal Recreational opportunities is especially attractive. of a recreational trail. The “towpath” includes a feeling of well being and self Trails Program Act defines a Various studies have shown that is the link to the historic past and the satisfaction.” recreational trail as a “thoroughfare property values near trails often future of the corridor today. or track across land or snow, increase. Long distance trails can

34 35 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

VII Goals & Recommendations

Resource Plan Goals General Recommendations • Improve and develop • Provide a high-quality • Improve and develop • Recognize, enhance and • Enhance the “Towpath • Develop water trails. • Develop access to the canal • Continue to develop recreational opportunities, outdoor experience recreation opportunities protect the historic and Trail” from Piqua to Water trails are small- towpath at Deep Cut successful partnerships while ensuring a balance through the development while protecting the cultural heritage of the Delphos as a multi-use trail. boat paddling routes Historic Site. with regional and local between wise use and of facilities that promote quality and features of the region in and around the • Assist in the acquisition that combine recreation • Develop and improve governments and interest protection of our natural education and interaction Miami and Erie Canal. canal corridor. of trail easements from and consservation. educational opportunities groups. resources for the benefit with the natural property owners along the These routes provide at significant sites along the • Comply with Americans of all. environment. canal where needed. for small-boat launches canal. with Disabilities Act (ADA) and shore access. Water standards when developing • Continued dredging of the trails connect people with • Develop and improve canal as needed, clean up parking and access to the new facilities or renovating places and simultaneously existing facilities. banks and control/maintain enrich and protect both. “Towpath Trail.” vegetation. By indentifying and • Restore one lock to • Explore new solutions to • Develop and improve interpreting places, both functional operation user conflict issues. interpretive signage along natural and constructed the for demonstrations and the towpath. water trail brings the usere educational purposes. into contact with the whole • Renovate Lock One in ecology of the corridor. (N.A. downtown New Bremen. Water Trails) • Renovate the dam at Leighty • Improve recreational Lake and develop facilities opportunities at Forty Acre for recreational use. Pond.

36 37 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

VIII A Driving Tour of the Miami and Erie Canal

We will begin this tour at the Piqua Historical Area located on the former farm of Col. John Johnston. Johnston was an early promoter of the canal, and served as a Canal Commissioner from 1825-1836. This tour will stop at a number of the more significant structures located from here north to Delphos, Ohio.

Included are directions to and descriptions of many of the structures and sites located along this stretch of the Miami and Erie Canal.

The lower case “s” denotes a lock found south of the Loramie Summit, while the lower case “n” tells us the lock is found

north of the summit. (Andy Hite, Ohio Historial

Society and Mike Morthorst, Canal Society of Ohio)

38 39 40 RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal

PUTNAM COUNTY

LOCKLock 24 24 NORTH North

DELPHOS

Jennings Creek Aqueduct About three-quarters of a mile north of Lock 24n are the ruins of the aqueduct that crossed Jennings Creek. Today only the stone LOCKLock 23 23NORTH North abutments remain.

LockLOCK 22 North 22 NORTH

Locks 23n and 24n RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal VAN WERT North of Second Street is the remains of the wooden Lock 23n. None of the floor remains, but COUNTY foundation timbers and footers can be observed. Lock 24n is located at the northern limit of Delphos. It is stone, and in excellent condition. The spillway was partially rebuilt with concrete ALLEN construction. COUNTY

LockLOCK 21 North 21 NORTH

Delphos The canal is located behind the stores on the west side of Main Street. The Lincoln Highway, known locally as Fifth Street, crossed the Miami and Erie Canal in Delphos. St. John’s Catholic Church in Delphos, founded by Father John Otto Lock 20 North Breidick, is the sixth largest church in the United States by square footage. Like Spencerville, Delphos was originally two towns and had two locks. The canal straddles Lock 19 North the Van Wert-Allen county line. The Van Wert community was known as Section Ten and the 41 Bloom Lock Allen County town was Delphos. RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal These locks were located at opposite ends These locks were wooden Both locks were of Spencerville. water was also a wooden There structures. Lock from just upstream fixture control marks its former A stone monument 15n. stands along the A water tower location. Some Lock 16n was located. canal where of Lock 16n remnants foundation wooden can be observedwater. at low Spencerville is a classic example of town along the length of Miami and that grew two The village was originally Erie Canal. merged in They Acadia. Spencer and hamlets, 1866 and became Spencerville. About a quarter mile to the west, the About a quarter mile to the west, Six wooden watered. canal is minimally Very located in this section. locks were an for of these locks save little remains and the bolts, a few sill, occasional mitre is Bloom Lock, Lock 19n, drop. towpath of vanished town located at the now- lock floor, the entire Earthworks, Bloom. of the civilization and remnants sills, mitre can still be observed. that was located here one half-mile north of State At Lock 22n, house the modernized locktender’s Street, can be seen. Locks 15n and 16n and 15n Locks Spencerville Locks 17n-22n Lock 18 North 18 Lock Lock 17 North 17 Lock NORTH NORTH 18 17 LOCK LOCK Lock 16 North 16 Lock SPENCERVILLE ALLEN COUNTY Lock 15 North 15 Lock

42 43 44 RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal

SPENCERVILLE

ALLEN COUNTY

AUGLAIZE Deep Cut COUNTY

Deep Cut RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal Kossuth This county park commemorates a monumental ditch dug through a glacial moraine. As the canal progressed north, the builders could either go around, through, or over this obstacle. The builders chose to dig a ditch 6,600 feet long and as much as 52 feet deep. Local legend relates that the cut was dug from both ends; one end by Irish Catholics, the opposite by Irish Protestants. When they met, there was a three-day religious riot, resulting in numerous casualties and some deaths. A small village was once located here. A canal-era school building is still standing on the village site Kossuth Named in honor of the Hungarian freedom fighter Louis Kossuth, this small town is located near the southern end of the canal “Deep Cut.” Prairie Creek Culvert This picturesque structure is located about a mile from the nearest road. It is worth the hike to see it.

Six-Mile Creek Aqueduct

Six-Mile Creek Aqueduct This beautiful structure is a replacement for the original wooden aqueduct. Reputedly

45 this structure was built in 1903. 46

Bloody Bridge RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal Two canal boaters, Bill Jones and Jack Billings, were both in love with AUGLAIZE the same woman, Minnie Warren. COUNTY Minnie eventually chose Jack. One night in 1854, Bill Jones surprised Minnie and Jack on the bridge that stood on this spot. A jealous Bill Jones severed Jack’s head with one stroke of his axe. In shock, Minnie screamed and fell off the bridge and drowned. Bill also disappeared. Years later a male Lock 14 North skeleton was found. No one knows if it was suicide or justice. A stone monument commemorates the incident. Lock 14n and Saw Mill This lock was originally made of white oak. In 1905 it was rebuilt in concrete and remains a dominating presence up to the present. This area was the site of a small village, which included two lumberyards, a general store, a church, a school, a lock tender’s house, icehouse, and private homes. After the canal declined in importance, many of the commercial buildings were destroyed in a massive fire. Local oral history relates the fire involved arson at the lumberyards. Forty Acre Pond Forty Acre Pond is a widewater created when Forty Acre Pond the St. Marys River was relocated during canal

construction in the 1840s. The towpath is located on the west side of the pond. This RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal pond was used by boats to moor overnight, and was an excellent swimming hole as well. A small village was once here, but has disappeared with the passage of time.

St. Marys, Locks 12n and 13n, Belle of St. Marys Behind the stores on the south side of Spring Street is a large municipal parking lot, the Chestnut Street Lot. The canal extended across this lot in a northwesterly direction. A turning basin was located where the lot is presently located. Lock 12n, a stone structure, was just behind the stores where Chestnut Street crossed the canal. The lock was destroyed in 1980. Lock 13n, made of concrete, is between Spring and High streets. It is now under the present Woolen Mill. The concrete lower wings can be seen under the East High Street Bridge. A millrace parallels the canal through town. It is possible to hike along the towpath north to Forty Acre Pond. It is quite a scenic walk. There is a small walkway tunnel under US 33. The Belle of St. Marys canal boat is used for civic functions. The Belle of the St. Marys is on the lower canal level adjacent to Memorial Park.

ST. MARYS

Lock 13 Lock 12 North North St. Marys River Aqueduct St. Marys River Aqueduct Just south of the town of St. Marys, the canal crossed the St. Marys River on a stone and wood aqueduct. This structure collapsed in 1943. It has

47 been modified and now carries water across the river in steel pipes resting on the old stonework. 48 RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal

Mercer County Reservoir (Grand Lake St. Marys) and GRAND LAKE Bulkhead Lock The Bulkhead Lock ST. MARY is part of the control structure for the lake. It supplied water to the canal as it headed Lock 11 North north toward Toledo. A 3.5-mile feeder takes water to the Lock 10 North Miami and Erie Canal southeast of the town of St. Marys. Boats could be lifted into the lake to allow stops at towns on Lock 9 North the perimeter of the Reservoir. The lock is larger than standard design, being 20 feet by 120 feet. State Route 364 crosses near the upper end of the lock. Until the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930s, Grand Lake St. Marys was the largest man- made body of water in the world.

Locks 3n-11n Along State Route 66, a half-mile to the east, lies the canal. This stretch can be hiked as part of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Lock 8 North National Scenic Trail. There are nine lock sites in this stretch. Since eight locks were made of wood, little remains except anchor bolts, an occasional mitre sill and some wood foundations here and there. Lock 6n located just south of State Route 219, offers an excellent example of earthen remains. The remaining stone lock

Lock 7 North in this stretch is Lock 8n. It is in excellent condition and features a very large spillway. RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal The stones have a very distinctive design. Also along this segment of canal are four AUGLAIZE original mile markers (124, 125, 126, and 127). COUNTY Lock 6 North Just north of Lock 6n you can see the junction of the main canal and an abandoned feeder from the Mercer County Reservoir. On the third Sunday in October there is a “Walk with Nature,” where hikers can walk along the canal trail. There are numerous bus stops along the route to accommodate hikers. The local chambers of commerce can supply additional information.

Lock Two, Lock 2n, and Mill This small settlement is located at the site of a Lock 5 North wooden lock. Wooden, rather than stone locks were built when an adequate supply of limestone was unavailable. Today nothing much remains of the lock except some metal rods and a small rise in the earth. A basin was located between the lock and mill. This town was originally known as New Paris. There was a mill, lumberyard and general store. The larger two-story brick building Lock 4 North on the square had a dance hall on the second floor. Places where canal boats moored can be seen on the west wall of the mill.

New Bremen and Lock 1n Since Lockington, the canal has been on the Loramie Summit, a 14-mile-long level section. This represents the highest point on the canal. Lockington is 512 feet higher than Cincinnati, and New Bremen is 396 feet above Toledo. Lock 1n is located in a park west of State Route 66, near the library in the center of New Bremen. It is of concrete construction and in excellent condition. There was also a lockkeeper’s house in New Bremen, which was burned down as a fire department exercise approximately 40 years ago, Lock 3 North much to the dismay of local historians. North of the lock, the canal crosses State Route 66 and

49 travels northeast to the hamlet of Lock Two, located about a mile away. 50 Lock 2 North RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal

Lock 1 North

NEW BREMEN

Minster Minster is one of the communities settled by German immigrants during the Canal Era. It is located near the center of a remarkable concentration of large Catholic churches (originally 45 such structures were situated in a 20 square mile area). Minster itself contains the magnificent two-spired St. Augustine Church. The canal passes through the town on its western side. It is watered, although some of the water is processed through the local water treatment plant. There are no locks, ERIE LAKE culverts, aqueducts, or other canal fixtures in Minster. TOLEDO NAPOLEON

Lake Loramie (Loramie Reservoir) RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal DEFIANCE The Loramie Reservoir, now Lake Loramie, actually watered the summit both north and south. An earthen dam across Loramie Creek was built in a natural dip in the summit topography. It creates a lake that DELPHOS encompasses over 1,500 surface acres and

SPENCER 30 miles of shoreline. Of the three summit reservoirs, this was the cheapest to build, VILLE ST costing $22,000. This contrasts with a cost of . MARY $600,000 for the Lewistown Reservoir and NEW

S $582,222 for the Mercer County Reservoir. BREMEN The lake survived the demise of the canal era MINSTER and is currently a state park. FT LORAMIE 512' LOCKINGTON

117' MINSTER SIDNEY PIQUA TIPP CITY DA YTON OHIO RIVER CINCINNA AUGLAIZE Loramie Creek Feeder Junction

TI Lake Loramie, also known as the Loramie COUNTY Reservoir, was one of the three summit reservoirs built to supply water for the Miami and Erie Canal. The water from Lake Loramie joined the canal here and supplied the summit SHELBY level with water. The Mercer County Reservoir, now Grand Lake St. Marys, provided water COUNTY northward. The Lewistown Reservoir, now Lake Loramie Indian Lake, provided water to the south. Loramie Creek Aqueduct Smaller but more picturesque than the aqueduct over the same creek at Lockington, this was the northern crossing of the canal over Loramie Creek. The aqueduct is in ruins,

51 though one can still get a good idea of what it looked like from the remains. 52 RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal

Loramie Feeder Lake Loramie

Loramie Aqueduct

Loramie Creek

FORT LORAMIE

SHELBY COUNTY

Fort Loramie RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal Located on an ancient Native American portage, this town has been a crossroad for centuries. Peter Loramie, a French-Canadian with strong pro-British feelings established a trading post here in 1769 near a large Native American village. He was suspected of inciting many attacks on arriving settlers. American forces under George Rogers Clark destroyed Loramie’s post in 1782. A defensive structure was built in 1795. Settlement began after the War of 1812. The canal came here in 1841 and brought prosperity. Canal-related ventures sprang up and most of the persons who came here worked in canal-related industries. The original name, New Berlin, indicated the settlers’ wishes to build a “New Germany” in western Ohio. The canal brought importance and wealth to this village. The German Catholic settlers eventually NEWPORT built a magnificent church named St. Michael’s. The present structure took seven years to complete and incorporates the earlier church into the structure as the chapel. The foundation stones for this building were brought to the construction site by canal boat from the south. It is one of the largest churches Leighty Lake in Ohio. This pattern of large German Catholic churches was repeated in many communities along the canal as far north as Ottoville. The Fort Loramie name never totally fell from use. Anti-German sentiment at the time of World War I settled the issue of the town name once and for all. Thereafter, it was always known as Fort Loramie.

Newport This small town was platted for Nicholas Wyant in 1839. The first businesses were a hotel and grocery. Dawson Station Later both a steam sawmill and gristmill were This small settlement was also known as established here. A flax mill was built in 1881. This area Patrick Station. It was a railroad stop on the was part of a “New Germany” running north through east-west line of the Big Four Line. This area Ft. Loramie (New Berlin), Minster, and New Bremen. contained many ice ponds, which supplied Two canal era buildings remain where the canal crossed early refrigeration to towns along the canal. A SR 66. Just before the canal crosses SR 66 is a large post office and warehouse was here in 1881. widewater that served as a reservoir for this section The hamlet has been a religious center for the of the summit level of the canal. It can be reached by surrounding area. following the towpath to the east. 53 54 RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

Dawson Station

Little Painter Creek Culvert This large culvert rises over ten feet above the surface of Little Painter Creek. A person can easily SHELBY walk beneath it. There is a large hole COUNTY in the center of the culvert permitting one to see the sky from the center of the structure.

Turtle Creek Culvert RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal Near New Bern was the great double stone arch that carried the canal over Turtle Creek on a high earthen embankment pierced by twin masonry culverts. This method was employed to maintain the grade of the canal without building additional lift locks. This culvert was in existence until it was demolished in 1982. It was feared that the culvert, which had deteriorated badly, might collapse, causing flooding to the north. Today only the wing walls remain at either entrance. The arches were twenty-two feet wide and sixteen and one half feet high. What little New Bern remains today is still an impressive sight.

Stone Culvert New Bern Mill Creek Culvert This small stone culvert, Originally known as This culvert is one of the which carried the canal over Woodbourne, this few that are still on property a small stream, appears to be community is a mix of owned by the state of Ohio, in relatively good shape when older, modest homes however it can only be observed from its eastern near Turtle Creek; reached by passing through side. On the west side, the and on higher ground, private property. This culvert portal is undermined for homes of more recent marks the beginning of a some three to five feet. The vintage. The canal large “land causeway” as the supporting timbers holding is on top of steep canal begins to cross the up the stonework are plainly embankment as it turns Loramie Summit. visible. westward to cross

55 Turtle Creek. 56

Loramie Summit RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal North from Lock 1s to New Bremen fourteen miles Within the playground just north of far as Sidney, Ohio in Shelby away is the summit level of the Miami and Erie Canal. Lock 1s the water from the Lewistown County. You can see the prism Across this stretch of land there are no locks. The Reservoir (Indian Lake) entered the of the feeder canal heading grade was maintained by following the ridges and canal by way of the Sidney Feeder. This northeast if you stand in the valleys as the canal crossed the backbone of Ohio. canal was navigable by canal boat as playground north of Lock1s.

New Bern

Loramie Creek Aqueduct The original aqueduct at Lockington had three spans, with an open timbered superstructure, that rested on dressed stone piers. Later a metal aqueduct designed to be a more lasting structure replaced this structure. However, the waters of the 1913 flood washed this newer structure away. Sidney Feeder

Lockington RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal The area around the staircase locks was originally called Locksport, sometimes Lockport. It was platted on land owned by Locks 1-6 South David Mellinger in 1837. The location was chosen LOCKINGTON because of the junction of the main canal with the feeder canal coming in from Lock 6 Sidney. It was the highest point on the Miami and Erie Canal. The series of six locks and the accompanying SHELBY drop of 67 feet offered COUNTY inexpensive and plentiful waterpower. Previously, in 1830 a man MIAMI named Steinberger had Lock 7 South built a flourmill on the site COUNTY of a failed sawmill along Loramie Creek where the village now stands. Another sawmill and a woolen mill followed this mill. These mills burned and were rebuilt. Operation of some of these activities continued into the early 1900s. The abandonment of the canal in the early 1900s ultimately spelled doom for these Lock 1s Lock 2s Lock 3s Lock 4s Lock 5s milling operations. This is the first Between this lock and Located astride At Lock 4s was the This is the last of lock in the descent Lock 1s was a turning this lock was a entrance to the the staircase of locks south from the basin for boats to wait mill, the only one Piqua Hydraulic on the north side Loramie Summit, their turn through the at Lockington Canal. This entrance of Loramie Creek. 512 feet above the staircase of locks. Just directly on the was known as Little Shortly after exiting Ohio River. It is west of the bypass race canal. From this Falls. The hydraulic this lock heading often called “Big was a dry dock and repair lock a visitor can canal supplied south the boats Lock” because its basin for canal boats. This look both north both water, and entered the channel lift was greater is still visible to visitors and south and waterpower to the of the Loramie than the other today. This turning basin get a great view industry of Piqua. Aqueduct to cross five locks in would have been used for of the staircase This system is still the creek and enter Lockington. boats waiting their turn to of locks. watered south of SR Lock 6s. 57 descend south from the 66 as it exits Swift Loramie Summit. Run Lake. 58 RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal Lock 7 South

MIAMI COUNTY

Lock 8 South

Johnston Farms

PIQUA

Lock 9 South

Lock 6s RESOURCE PLANFuture oftheMiamiandErieCanal This lock is also known as “Crooked Lock’” due to the fact that it is not on the same axis as the first five locks, and cannot be directly seen looking down the staircase. It lies immediately south of the Loramie Creek Aqueduct. South of the lock is a widewater, where boats paused while waiting their turn to begin the ascent through the Lockington Locks. From this point, the canal rises 67 feet in approximately one-half mile to the Loramie Summit that stretches 14 miles north to New Bremen, Ohio.

Lock 7s and Landman Mill This mill has been known over the years both as Landman’s Mill and Loramie Mill. It was in use until the early 1900s, which is the primary reason it is still standing. Lock 7s and the canal prism before it are still watered.

Lock 8s and State Dam Located adjacent to the lock was the State Dam, which created a water supply for the canal as it flowed south. In fact, the structure of the lock was somewhat modified to incorporate a guard lo ck and the dam into its functioning. From the river side of the bank the guard lock is still visible as is the remains of the dam itself. The lock apparently has no bypass race. Bridge abutments and the foundation for a building are just south of 59 the lock site. RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal RESOURCE PLAN Future of the Miami and Erie Canal

X Bibliography

Feasibility Study. Miami-Erie Canal Corridor Association, Heritage Corridor Project, Thomas A. Wehrhahn, Produced 2000.

Miami and Erie Canal, Commerce and History. Delphos Canal Commission, Delphos, Ohio. Copyright 1990.

Note: A special thanks to the Delphos Canal Commission, Rev. Christopher P. Vasko for giving permission to the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks to use this publication.

Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Authority Questionnaire.

Miami – Erie Canal Study From Fort Loramie (Loramie Creek) to Delphos ( Jennings Creek), submitted by Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas in association with L. Thompson Consultants, Inc., January 1986.

North America Water Trails

North of the Summit, A Driving Tour of the Miami and Erie Canal. Andy Hite, Ohio Historical Society and Mike Morthorst, Canal Society of Ohio.

State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan, SCORP 2003, Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Strategic Issues – Benefits of Trails.

Ohio’s Natural Heritage, Michael B. Lafferty, Editor-in-chief. Published by the Ohio Academy of Science, Columbus, Ohio. Copyright 1979.

60 61