Delphi in Carroll County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Canal Power
Animal: The Engine of the Canal and the Farm
— Wabash & Erie Canal Park Village —
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 18, 2020
1. Canal Power Marker
Inscription.
Canal Power. Animal: The Engine of the Canal and the Farm. , Animals For Towing Canal Boats , During a time before motorized power, canal boats were towed by horses or mules using heavy ropes of 100 feet or more. On the Wabash and Erie Canal towpath, one animal or more hitched in tandem, were led by a "Hoggee” or driver. He would sometimes ride the rear animal. Horses were used to tow passenger packet boats that moved along at 3 or more miles per hour. Packet companies erected relay srions such as the Mule Barn before you at 10 mile interval to relieve the animals. Freight boats moved more slowly and normally not on a time schedule. Mules were commonly used with freighters and relief animals were often carried in a stable on board the boat.
Animals For Building The Canal , Canal workers using shovels, picks and pry bars helped to dig the Canal but without the brute force of animals it would have been impossible to complete this monumental project. Oxen dragged logs, moved large boulders, pulled stumps and hauled wagon loads of rocks. Horses and mules pulled slip scoops, stone boats and grader blades.
Animals For Farming , As early settlers moved into this region, many of them on the Canal in the early 1840s, they brought cows, chickens, ducks and sheep. These animals produced food such as milk, butter, eggs and meat. In addition they provided wool for fabrics, feathers for pillows and leather for rigging horses to pull wagons and plows. The use of horses for transportation, plowing and general work on the farm was essential to every family that settled in this region. LDogs provided protection and companionship.
In addition to domestic animals, wild animals such as deer provided meat and skin for clothing and bags. Beavers, mink and bears provided skins for home use but also for a cash crop on the open market.
Animals For Towing Canal Boats
During a time before motorized power, canal boats were
towed by horses or mules using heavy ropes of 100 feet or
more. On the Wabash & Erie Canal towpath, one animal or
more hitched in tandem, were led by a "Hoggee” or driver.
He would sometimes ride the rear animal. Horses were used
to tow passenger packet boats that moved along at 3 or more
miles per hour. Packet companies erected relay srions such
as the Mule Barn before you at 10 mile interval to relieve
the animals. Freight boats moved more slowly and normally
not on a time schedule. Mules were commonly used with
freighters and relief animals were often carried in a stable
on board the boat.
Animals For Building The Canal
Canal workers using shovels, picks and pry bars helped to dig
the Canal but without the brute force of animals it would have
been impossible to complete this monumental project. Oxen
dragged logs, moved large boulders, pulled stumps and hauled
wagon loads of rocks. Horses and mules pulled slip scoops,
stone boats and grader blades.
Animals For Farming
As early settlers moved into this region, many of them on
the Canal in the early 1840s, they brought cows, chickens,
ducks and sheep. These animals produced food such as milk,
butter, eggs and meat. In addition
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they provided wool for
fabrics, feathers for pillows and leather for rigging horses to
pull wagons and plows. The use of horses for transportation,
plowing and general work on the farm was essential to every
family that settled in this region. LDogs provided protection
and companionship.
In addition to domestic animals, wild animals such as deer
provided meat and skin for clothing and bags. Beavers, mink
and bears provided skins for home use but also for a cash
crop on the open market.
Location. 40° 35.433′ N, 86° 40.883′ W. Marker is in Delphi, Indiana, in Carroll County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West North Washington Street and North Charles Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the Grounds of the Wabash & Erie Canal Conference & Interpretive Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12252 West North Washington Street, Delphi IN 46923, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Pull Me" Boat (here, next to this marker); Mule Barn
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
