Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Portage Path
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2011
1. Portage Path Marker
You are standing on the famous portage, carrying-place between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers. The two streams and the portage across the watershed formed an early route between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. First the Indians, then French and English traders and trappers, and finally American settlers and travelers carried their canoes and packs across this narrow strip of land in passing, by way of the rivers, between northern and southern Ohio. The portage was a part of the defined boundaries in the treaties with the Indians made at Fort McIntosh (1785), Fort Harmar (1789), and Green Ville (1795). Use of the portage was discontinued in 1827 when the Ohio and Erie Canal was built along the old trail. Today, modern Akron streets--Portage Path and Manchester Road--follow the approximate route of the original portage.
Erected 1957 by Ohio Historical Markers Committee. (Marker Number 1-77.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 41° 5.065′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Abolitionist John Brown (a few steps from this marker); Hall Park Allotment Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Dr. Bob's Home (approx. 0.9 miles away); Glendale Steps (approx. one mile away); 09.11.2001 (approx. one mile away); St. Vincent-St. Mary Catholic High School / A Firm Foundation In Catholic Education (approx. one mile away); Don Plusquellic (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fueling Growth in a New Century (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.
Also see . . . History of Akron's Portage Path commemorated at 'Marking the Trail' walk. Cleveland.com website entry (Submitted on September 21, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2011
2. Portage Path Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 8, 2011
3. Map of Portage Path on Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,979 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
