Bolivar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Canal
Fort Laurens
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2020
1. Canal Marker
Inscription.
Canal. Fort Laurens. After it was abandoned in 1779, Fort Laurens slowly decayed. When the Ohio and Erie Canal was constructed here in 1828, it destroyed the two eastern bastions of the fort that faced the river's edge. In 1850, when Charles Whittlesey drew this map, only a faint outline remained, causing him to misjudge where the fort actually stood.
The canal brought great prosperity to Ohio, but it ceased to be used for transportation after the devastating 1913 flood. During the last half of the 19th century, the site of Fort Laurens was farmed. It became a state memorial in 1917. Today the canal towpath is part of the Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Canalway, part of a walking trail from Cleveland to New Philadelphia.
After it was abandoned in 1779, Fort
Laurens slowly decayed. When the Ohio &
Erie Canal was constructed here in 1828, it
destroyed the two eastern bastions of the
fort that faced the river's edge.
In 1850,
when Charles Whittlesey drew this map,
only a faint outline remained, causing him
to misjudge where the fort actually stood.
The canal brought great prosperity to
Ohio, but it ceased to be used for
transportation after the devastating 1913
flood.
During the last half of the 19th
century, the site of Fort Laurens was
farmed.
It became a state memorial in
1917. Today the canal towpath is part of
the Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage
Canalway, part of a walking trail from
Cleveland to New Philadelphia.
Location. 40° 38.317′ N, 81° 27.3′ W. Marker is in Bolivar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County. It is on Fort Laurens Road Northwest (County Route 102), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bolivar OH 44612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 6, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
