Fort Loramie in Shelby County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Miami and Erie Canal
Anthony Wayne Parkway
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
1. Miami and Erie Canal Marker
Inscription.
Miami and Erie Canal. Anthony Wayne Parkway. This marker is on the right-of-way of the Old Miami and Erie Canal which ran from the Ohio River at Cincinnati to Lake Erie at Toledo. Gov. DeWitt Clinton of New York broke ground for the canal on July 21, 1825 just below Middletown. Built in sections, the canal was opened from end to end in 1845. It was 248.8 miles long, and here, on the "Loramie Summit," rose to 512 feet above the Ohio River. It included 19 aqueducts, 3 guard locks, 103 lift locks, and 3 reservoirs. Navigation began November 28, 1827 and, at the peak of operation, about 400 boats plied the "Big Ditch." The coming of the railroads signaled its decline. However, the canal was used in part through the early 1900's. The canal provided western Ohio with badly needed transportation and water power and was instrumental in welding the state together politically and economically. Fort Loramie was a typical canal town of the period.
This marker is on the right-of-way of the Old Miami and Erie Canal which ran from the Ohio River at Cincinnati to Lake Erie at Toledo. Gov. DeWitt Clinton of New York broke ground for the canal on July 21, 1825 just below Middletown. Built in sections, the canal was opened from end to end in 1845. It was 248.8 miles long, and here, on the "Loramie Summit," rose to 512 feet above the Ohio River. It included 19 aqueducts, 3 guard locks, 103 lift locks, and 3 reservoirs. Navigation began November 28, 1827 and, at the peak of operation, about 400 boats plied the "Big Ditch." The coming of the railroads signaled its decline. However, the canal was used in part through the early 1900's. The canal provided western Ohio with badly needed transportation and water power and was instrumental in welding the state together politically and economically. Fort Loramie was a typical canal town of the period.
Erected 1953 by The Sesquicentennial Year of Ohio Statehood, The Fort Loramie Business Men's Association, and American Legion Post 355.
40° 21.056′ N, 84° 22.5′ W. Marker is in Fort Loramie, Ohio, in Shelby County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street and Water Street, on the left when traveling south on West Main Street. This historical marker is located in the middle of a park that is situated along State Route 66, in the north end of Fort Loramie, Ohio. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Loramie OH 45845, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Canals. This web site is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on June 18, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Miami and Erie Canal. This web site is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on June 18, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Close-up view of the historical marker's map of Western Ohio's canal routes.
. This web site is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on June 18, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
3. Miami and Erie Canal Marker
Distant view of historical marker situated in the middle of town's park.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 3, 2016
4. Miami and Erie Canal Marker
Marker in new location, several feet west of former location. The park has been renovated, a new Veterans Monument has been added, older markers have been moved.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,211 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on May 3, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
