Metamora in Franklin County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Animals Power the Canal Boat
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2021
1. Animals Power the Canal Boat Marker
Powered by human and beast
Draft animals like horses and mules pulled the narrow boats along the towpath, directed by the driver who walked alongside them.
Since the boat didn't have brakes, the driver slowed the animals well before the boat had to stop.
If another boat wanted to pass, the driver slackened the rope and let it sink into the water. Once the boat went by, he pulled it up and continued walking.
[Captions:]
Belgian Draft Horses
6 feet tall at the shoulder
Weigh about 2,000 pounds (about a ton)
Wide hooves and sturdy bodies are ideal for pulling heavy loads.
In the past, boats changed animals every 10-15 miles.
At a steady walking speed, a draft animal moved 50 times as much weight in a boat as it could pull in a cart on a dirt road.
What do our horses eat?
Each horse eats about four to six pounds of "sweet mix" a day. It's mostly oats, with a little bit of molasses added to make it sweet and tasty.
Sometimes, the horses get treats like apples or carrots. They also eat hay (in the winter) and grass in the pasture(spring, summer, and fall).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals
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Location. 39° 26.794′ N, 85° 8.01′ W. Marker is in Metamora, Indiana, in Franklin County. It is on 75 Main Street west of Nobles Alley, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19038 75 Main St, Metamora IN 47030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martindale Hotel (a few steps from this marker); The Confectionary (a few steps from this marker); Old Cobbler's Shop (a few steps from this marker); The Ben Franklin (a few steps from this marker); Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Faulkner-Pierce Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Van Camp's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Metamora Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Metamora.
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2021
2. Animals Power the Canal Boat Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 22, 2021
3. The Ben Franklin Canal Boat
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
