HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
            “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
  Home  — My Markers  — Add A Marker  — Marker Series  — Links & Books  — Forum  — About Us
Groveport in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport / Scioto Valley Interurban
 
Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport Marker Photo, Click for full size
By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2008
1. Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport Marker
 
Inscription.
Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport
The Ohio and Erie Canal was Ohio's solution to the lack of a reliable and fast transportation system to move goods to outside markets. The canal opened in the then unplatted village of Groveport on September 25, 1831 and contributed directly to Groveport's success as a center of commerce. W.H. Richardson built lock 22, the only lock in Groveport, as part of his bid to build section 52 of the canal. Lock 22, the last lock before a series of locks in Lockbourne, Ohio that lower the canal to the level of Big Walnut Creek, is 90 feet long with a 15 foot wide lock channel. A variety of businesses clustered along the banks of the canal. In the mid-nineteenth century, a canal boatyard and dry dock was operated in what is now Blacklick Park. Canal boats were built and repaired in this facility that was considered the first notable such operation on the canal below Baltimore, Ohio.

Scioto Valley Interurban
While Groveport flourished during the canal era, the town was removed from relative isolation with the introduction of the electric railroad operated by the Scioto Valley Traction Line. The tracks, which are still embedded and visible in Blacklick Street, were part of a system that connected Groveport to Columbus and surrounding communities. The line
 
Scioto Valley Interurban Marker Photo, Click for full size
By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2008
2. Scioto Valley Interurban Marker
 
was completed in 1904, and the first trip was made from Columbus to Canal Winchester. From Groveport, the trip to Canal Winchester took only five minutes, as the car reached an amazing speed of 62 mph. The interurban allowed residents to work, shop, or seek entertainment outside of Groveport. The interurban also brought new opportunities for diversified commercial interests and a steady population growth to Groveport. Passenger service on the interurban ceased in 1930 when automobiles and buses made the system obsolete.
 
Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 40-25.)
 
Marker series. This marker is included in the Ohio and Erie Canal marker series.
 
Location. 39° 51.19′ N, 82° 52.743′ W. Marker is in Groveport, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is on Blacklick Street 0.2 miles from Front Street, on the right when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in Blacklick Park. Marker is in this post office area: Groveport OH 43125, United States of America.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Rarey and "Cruiser" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Groveport World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Groveport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ohio and Erie Canal Lock 22 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Groveport Log House (approx. 0.4 miles away); John S. Rarey and Cruiser (approx. 0.5 miles away); Groveport Veterans' Park (approx. 0.5 miles away); The Ohio Military Hall of Fame Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Groveport.
 
Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport / Scioto Valley Interurban Marker at Blacklick Park Photo, Click for full size
By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2008
3. Ohio and Erie Canal in Groveport / Scioto Valley Interurban Marker at Blacklick Park
 
 
Ohio and Erie Canal Remnant in Blacklick Park Photo, Click for full size
By William Fischer, Jr., November 7, 2009
4. Ohio and Erie Canal Remnant in Blacklick Park
 
 
Scioto Valley Interurban Track along Blacklick Street Photo, Click for full size
By William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2008
5. Scioto Valley Interurban Track along Blacklick Street
Looking east toward Blacklick Park.
 
Credits. This page originally submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Lancaster, Ohio. This page has been viewed 424 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3. Submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Lancaster, Ohio.   4. Submitted on November 25, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Lancaster, Ohio.   5. Submitted on October 19, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Lancaster, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.


•••
More Search Options
 
Categories

 
States & Provinces

 
Counties
Click to List


 
Countries

Page composed
in 109 ms.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To search within this page, hold down the Ctrl key and press F.
On an Apple computer,
hold down the Apple key and press F.