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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail, Columbus, OH (2026)

08/20/2025

Learn more about the Lockville descent. Tap/click original post for details.

▪ Part 12 | Lockville Descent

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

As the Ohio Canal approached Lockville and the descent to Walnut Creek, it had to drop 76’ in elevation. The Canal bed was level coming out of Carroll, but a cascade of locks would be necessary to drop the canal sufficiently in the one-mile section. That was done through a series of eight locks. Each lock would need to drop an average 8’-9’.

Finding laborers to dig the canal wasn’t easy. The State began to accept bids for excavation from local farmers. At the time, most business was done in the form of bartering. The opportunity to get cash payments was a boon for the area’s farmers. Farm owner Francis Cunningham was awarded a contract to excavate the canal through his property. That section was completed in 1831.

Realizing the boat crews waiting to negotiate the many locks would provide locals with business opportunities, farm owner Cunningham set up a tavern and general store. In 1832, he contracted with the State for water rights so he could build a gristmill near Lock South 11. In that same year, he and Mr Hoshor, a farmer at the other end of the lock cascade, declared and formed the Village of Lockville.

📷 Lockville Descent (cropped image) | Source Roscoe Village Foundation

Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit https://fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

08/16/2025

Today! Meet Canal Boat Captain Sam Rowe and his daughters! Listen to them relate stories about their lives on the Ohio Canal in the mid- to late-1800s. Bring your questions, too!

Saturday, August 16, from 4:00-5:30 p.m., at Lockville Canal Park, 5895 Pickerington Rd (south of US-33) in Carroll. Before you go, get full details at fairfieldcountyparks.org/event/chat-with-a-canal-historian-2025

This program is presented by one of our canal partners, Fairfield County Park District, in honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025). They have other programs planned through the end of the year; see their website (link above) for more programs!

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Today! Meet Canal Boat Captain Sam Rowe and his daughters! Listen to them relate stories about their lives on the Ohio Canal in the mid- to late-1800s. Bring your questions, too!

Saturday, August 16, from 4:00-5:30 p.m., at Lockville Canal Park, 5895 Pickerington Rd (south of US-33) in Carroll. Before you go, get full details at fairfieldcountyparks.org/event/chat-with-a-canal-historian-2025

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025)

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

07/30/2025

Learn more about Canal-era personality Dick Gorham! Tap/click original post for details about this man with 'quite a reputation.'
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Auz3H1XMw/

▪ Part 11 | State Boat “Dick Gorham”

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

In the village of Carroll, saloon owner Dick Gorham was a bit of a hero. Most canawlers weren’t paid until a boatload of cargo was delivered. Dick let them drink, knowing they would be back to pay their bills.

He had quite a reputation! Unfortunately, he lost an arm, but no one knew or figured out how it happened. Even his own brother wasn’t sure how it happened. He never told anyone. One thing was for sure; few would play him at pool. Despite having just one arm, he relieved many of their hard-earned cash at the billiard table.

So great was his reputation, the State Boat that was moored in town was named after him. The Dick Gorham’s crew was responsible for repairs to the canal from Millersport to Lockbourne. They fixed locks and their doors. If there was a break in the sidewall of the canal, they rushed to fix it, hiring other canawlers if needed.

Much of their time was spent trimming weeds from the canal and its banks. The six-mile level out of Baltimore and Carroll kept them quite busy. At times, when weeds choked the canal, a horse was used to pull the Dick Gorham because it needed to get quickly to the problem area!

📷 State Boat “Dick Gorham” | Source Unknown

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit http://fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

07/16/2025

Here is the newest post in the series by our canal partner, Fairfield County Park District. Tap/click image to see the original post.

▪ Part 10 | Gorham Saloon at Carroll

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

In 1831, the Ohio Canal reaches Carroll and becomes the intersection of the Hocking Lateral going down to Lancaster. Because of this, Carroll becomes an important port. The State Toll Collector is stationed at the beginning of the Lateral. Many canal boats come in and out of the village. Rowdy canawlers find themselves with time to spend in the town. They drink and many brawls ensue. The town council decides to prohibit alcohol.

One saloon owner, Dick Gorham, doesn't want to lose his business, so he moves his tavern outside the city limits to the other side of Lock 9. He stations a plank across the lock so his customers can access his establishment. To his dismay, his clients can easily make their way into the saloon, but when leaving they are often so tipsy they fall from the plank into the water! So, he builds a bridge with handrails for them!

📸 Carroll’s State Canal Basin (c 1874), map | Source Unknown

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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07/15/2025

This weekend! "Chat with a Canal Historian" will focus on the 200th anniversary of the Ohio Canal.

This program is presented by Fairfield County Park District in Lockville Canal Park. Tap/click the image to get full details.

📜 Chat with a Canal Historian

To celebrate the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), our interpretive historian will be available between 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, July 19, to chat about his favorite subject – the Ohio Canal.

This month's theme: The 200th Anniversary of the Ohio Canal

Bring your questions about life on and around the canal in the mid- to late-1800s. What trade skills were needed? Who were the canal builders and stonemasons. How did it change the lives of those living near the canal?

BEFORE YOU GO, get full details at fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

Lockville Canal Park is at 5895 Pickerington Rd, south of US-33, Carroll.

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07/03/2025

▪️ Part 9 | A Canal Hoggee becomes President

In honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), one of our partners, Fairfield County Park District, is publishing a series of posts about the canal. Tap/click "More..." below to see the original post text.

Want to learn more? Attend “Chat with a Canal Historian” at Lockville Canal Park in Carroll on the third Saturdays of each month through September. Details at fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

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▪ Part 9 | A Hoggee – Future President!

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

Boys who drove mules were called by a derogatory Scottish term, hoggee, meaning ‘bottom of the barrel.’ Many of them were runaways or orphans and were treated horribly on commercial boats. Since they weren’t paid until the end of a season (usually a total of $9.00), captains would get them to quit before time for payment arrived. One of those boys was to become president of the United States.

James Garfield was a hoggee for a short time on the Ohio Canal. He was involved in a famous incident at Norris Lock 3. Someone on the opposite bank of the lock was making fun of the skinny future president. James became enraged and, from a standing start, jumped over the 15-foot lock and chased the taunter into the cornfield! James worked only a few months on the Ohio Canal. He ended up with malaria and returned to his home in Cuyahoga to recover. The rest, as they say, is history!

📸 Lock 3 aka Norris Lock | Source 1875 Fairfield County Atlas

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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06/11/2025

▪️ Part 8 | Wreck of the Black Diamond

In honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), one of our partners, Fairfield County Park District, is publishing a series of posts about the canal. Tap/click "More..." below to see the original post text.

Want to learn more? Attend “Chat with a Canal Historian” at Lockville Canal Park in Carroll on the third Saturdays of each month through September. Details at fairfieldcountyparks.org/events

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▪ Part 8 | Wreck of The Black Diamond

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

During the expansion of Licking Summit, many trees were cut down, but the stumps were not removed. As the water level of the lake rose, they were hidden from view. Captains had to stick close to the towpath to avoid damage to their boats’ hulls caused by the newly submerged dangers. Unfortunately, that didn’t always happen.

On a summer day in 1850, Captain Ward of the Black Diamond entered Minthorne Lock 0 N then proceeded to cross the reservoir. With a 60-ton load of coal, the boat was weighed down to the 3’ mark. His driver spotted one of the underwater hazards and stopped the mules. However, the tow rope was 60’ long and the boat continued moving forward. It struck a log, putting a large hole in the boat; it quickly sank. Every crewmember escaped safely, but the boat and the coal were lost.

In 2016, when dam remediation at Buckeye Lake was underway, pieces of the Black Diamond were found. Some of the wreckage can be seen in Buckeye Lake Historical Society Museum (.com/buckeyelakehistory.org).

📸 Wreck of the Black Diamond from Story of Buckeye Lake by Joseph Simpson, 1912

*Licking Summit is now known as Buckeye Lake

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

06/05/2025

Part 7 | New Reservoir at Licking Summit

In honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), one of our partners, Fairfield County Park District, is publishing a series of posts about the canals. Tap/click "More..." below to see the original post text.

Want to visit history? Get friends and family in the car and discover Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail! It is a 114-mile self-guided driving tour from Buckeye Lake to Portsmouth, featuring historical canal locks available for public viewing. Sites along the trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit seeohiofirst.org/trails/26
Make a day of it or even an overnight or weekend adventure!

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▪ Part 7 | New Reservoir at Licking Summit

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1825-2025

Mudlarking persisted (see Part 6). Finally, the stated presented a plan to solve the issue – 10 years later!

The plan involved raising the level of Licking Summit* by two feet. Heights of the dams were raised. To accommodate the new water level, two new locks were built. Minthorn Lock was at the north end of Licking Summit, and Pugh Lock was built south of Deep Cut. Since the locks were already numbered, the two new ones became known as 0 North and 0 South. When the canal was no longer is use, those two locks were removed.

📸 Walnut Township Map from the 1875 Fairfield County Atlas

*Licking Summit is now known as Buckeye Lake

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

05/23/2025

Part 6 | Mudlarking

In honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), one of our partners, Fairfield County Park District, is publishing a series of posts about the canals. Tap/click "More..." below to see the original post text.

Want to visit history? Get friends and family in the car and discover Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail! It is a 114-mile self-guided driving tour from Buckeye Lake to Portsmouth, featuring historical canal locks available for public viewing. Sites along the trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit seeohiofirst.org/trails/26
Make a day of it or even an overnight or weekend adventure!

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▪ Part 6 | Mudlarking

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

The excavation of Deep Cut left the canal with 32’-high banks that were bare of foliage. Mud and silt flowed down the banks into the canal, forming mud bars. The canal waters were only 4’ deep, on average. It was common for a fully loaded canal boat weighing up to 80 tons to get stuck. The two or four mules with a boat would not be able to pull it free!

Local farmer Byron Pugh would offer his assistance – for a price. He would unload the cargo onto his own wagons, then use sometimes up to 40 horses to pull boats from the mud. While the lighter, empty boats would proceed to Millersport, he took the lumber, grain, coal, and other goods to meet them, where the goods would be reloaded. During the ten years it took for the State to solve the mud bar issues, Pugh made money. His mansion still stands prominently along the old Canal bed.

📸 Drawing of Pugh Residence/Compound in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, Ohio

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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05/08/2025

Part 5 | Deep Cut

In honor of the Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial (1825-2025), one of our partners, Fairfield County Park District, is publishing a series of posts about the canals. Tap/click "More..." below to see the original post text.

Want to visit history? Get friends and family in the car and discover Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail! It is a 114-mile self-guided driving tour from Buckeye Lake to Portsmouth, featuring historical canal locks available for public viewing. Sites along the trail are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit seeohiofirst.org/trails/26
Make a day of it or even an overnight or weekend adventure!

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▪ Part 5 | Deep Cut

Ohio Canal Era Bicentennial 1824-2025

The initial survey determined that Licking Summit (now Buckeye Lake) was the highest point in the area. Unfortunately, engineers discovered its southern ridge was higher than the level of the reservoir and had to be reduced by 32’ over a distance of 1.875 miles.

Contracts were let out in September 1825. At a pay of $8-$12 per month, Irish immigrants worked sunup to sunset with picks and shovels, wheelbarrows and oxen carts. It is said that more than 100 workers died during the five-year-long project; many are buried in unmarked graves in the banks of what is now within Millersport Cemetery.

What came to be known as Deep Cut is considered “Ohio’s greatest engineering feat of the first half of the 19th century!”

📸 Deep Cut | Deep Cut can still be seen today from Millersport Cemetery and along parts of Deep Cut Rd south-southwest of Millersport, Ohio, in Fairfield County

▪ Today, the remains of three locks are in Lockville Canal Park at 5895 Pickerington Rd, Carroll, Ohio. For more information, visit fairfieldcountyparks.org/historical-features/ohio-erie-canal-locks

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Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail

08/20/2025

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