Spencerville in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Miami Erie Canal
Lock 15
| | Miami Erie Canal | |
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
1. Miami – Erie Canal Marker
From 1845 to about 1906 barges pulled by horses provided transportation from the Ohio River to Lake Erie through a system of locks which raised or lowered boats to the next level of the canal.
Locks often became sites of towns, beginning with a tenders house, followed by a stable, tavern and mill.
The canal was hand-dug to a minimum width of 26 at the bottom and 40 at the waterline.
The first boat to Toledo left Cincinnati June 27, 1845, with the trip taking 4 days and 5 nights at a cost of 3 cents per passenger mile.
After railroads caused canal importance to decline, the locks were abandoned.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Miami & Erie Canal series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1885.
Location. 40° 42.347′ N, 84° 21.355′ W. Marker is in Spencerville, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of South Canal Street and West 1st Street, on the left when traveling south on South Canal Street. This historical marker is located along the west side of the Miami and Erie Canal, as the canal runs through the town of Spencerville, Ohio. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spencerville OH 45887, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Amanda (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
2. Miami – Erie Canal Marker
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
3. Miami – Erie Canal / Lock 15
View of Miami and Erie Canal where Lock 15 is situated with a view of historical marker, located in group of bushes, just to the right of the site of Lock 15.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,051 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
