Waterville in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio
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The Miami and Erie Canal
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
1. John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio
Born in Rhode Island, John Pray (1783-1872) moved to the Maumee River Valley from New York shortly after serving in the War of 1812 and completing a prospecting tour in Ohio. He built a dam across the river to Granger Island and in 1821 constructed a water-powered gristmill, the first on the lower Maumee. In 1831, he laid out the Village of Waterville with the first 50 lots. The Columbian House, a stagecoach inn constructed by Pray in 1828 and expanded in 1837, was for years the commercial and social center of Waterville and accommodated travelers from cities such as Detroit and Cincinnati. From this building, he operated the village's post office. When Wood County was organized in 1820, Pray became a commissioner until Lucas County was formed from part of Wood in 1835. For nine years he served as Justice of the Peace in Waterville. He and his wife Lucy raised eleven children to adulthood. Circa 1854 he constructed his home, which today overlooks Pray Park.
West Side of Marker:
The Miami and Erie Canal, connecting Toledo to Cincinnati, joined the Wabash and Erie Canal to Indiana. The Waterville section of the canal
this page online
Erected 2002 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Waterville Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 40-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, the The Miami & Erie Canal, and the Wabash & Erie Canal series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 41° 29.981′ N, 83° 43.264′ W. Marker is in Waterville, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is at the intersection of North 4th Street and Farnsworth Road (Ohio Route 64), on the right when traveling north on North 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 North 4th Street, Waterville OH 43566, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
2. The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, 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 Viceroyalty of New France, 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 marker: Waterville Veterans Memorial Flagpole (a few steps from this marker); Wakeman Hall / Waterville Historical Society (within shouting distance of this marker); The Liberty House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Columbian House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterville Civil War Monument (approx. Ό mile away); The Oliver Pray House (approx. Ό mile away); Stitt Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Miamis Reserve/Miltonville (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterville.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
3. The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
A close-up view of the Joseph Hall store that once stood on this site, along the side of the canal, as seen in this photograph that is affixed onto the historical marker.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
4. John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio / The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
View of historical marker at the corner of North 4th Street and Farnsworth Road, with the Anthony Wayne Trail (former site of the Miami & Erie Canal) in the background.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
5. John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio / The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
View, looking east, of the historical marker in the foreground and the downtown business district in the background. Where the current traffic lights are located is where the Miami and Erie Canal use to be located.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
6. John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio / The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
View looking north of the historical marker and Waterville's own city park.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 14, 2010
7. John Pray - Founder of Waterville,Ohio / The Miami and Erie Canal Marker
View looking south of the historical marker and a canal era building, situated on the high ground, overlooking both the canal and downtown Waterville.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,109 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 17, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
