Life in Lockville

Life in Lockville. . , The Ohio and Erie Canal extended 309 miles from Cleveland to Portsmouth. Beginning in 1825, it was used to transport goods across the state. Lockville was named for its staircase of locks, a series of nine locks used to raise and lower boats when the elevation of local terrain changed. Flooding and cold weather caused extensive damage to the Canal. By the 1850s, canals were being replaced by railroads., A 'Staircase of Locks' , Businessmen took advantage of the opportunity to make money from passengers, boatmen, and others who were waiting their turns to get through the locks. A saloon and a general store were built. The Mithoff brothers purchased the store. Later, they added a distillery. It was one of the largest in Ohio, producing over 1,200 gallons of whiskey every day!, Towpath , Mules and horses were harnessed by ropes to canal boats. The animals walked the towpath next to the canal, pulling the load behind them., Canal Boat , Canal boats could haul up to 80 tons! The loads might include crops, salt, coal, iron, bricks, and many other goods., The "Dick Gorham" was a State boat stationed in Carroll. It was used by those who made repairs to the section of the Ohio and Erie Canal between Buckeye Lake and Lockbourne. In 1898, it was the very last boat to ever pass through Lockville., Locktenders , Locktenders were hired by the State to oversee operation of the locks and make minor repairs. In 1866, brothers David and George Benadum tended Lockville's nine locks. Each was given $20 a month and a small house, only 18 by 24 feet. David and his wife, Mary, raised seven children in one of those tiny homes! Rain or shine, day or night, wives and children had to do the same work as the men.