Middletown in Butler County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ohio Canals
Port Middletown Plaza
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
1. Ohio Canals Marker
Canals were built in Ohio to provide a better way to transport goods to the eastern markets. Two major canals were built connecting the Ohio River to Lake Erie - the Ohio Erie & [sic Ohio & Erie] Canal running from Portsmouth to Cleveland and the Miami & Erie Canal from Cincinnati to Toledo.
On July 21, 1825, Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York State broke ground in Middletown for the Miami Canal. Two years later on July 1, 1827, water from the Great Miami River was let into the canal and on July 4 the canal packet boat Samuel Forrer owned by Middletonian Robert E. Campbell made the first trip on the canal.
The 250-mile Miami & Erie Canal was completed in 1845, costing over $8,000,000.
[Ohio map showing major canal routes and reads]
Ohio's two major canals - the Ohio & Erie Canal and the Miami & Erie Canal.
Erected by City of Middletown, the Middletown Historical Society, and Others.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio and Erie Canal series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1877.
Location. 39° 30.963′ N, 84° 24.153′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Port Middletown (here, next to this marker); Canal Boats (here, next to this marker); Canal Locks (here, next to this marker); The Miami & Erie Canal in Middletown (here, next to this marker); The Miami & Erie Canal Lift Bridge (here, next to this marker); World War II Veterans Memorial Bench (approx. ¼ mile away); Middletown War Memorial Flagpole (approx. 0.6 miles away); Underground Railroad Route (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Regarding Ohio Canals. The marker panels are along the side of a water feature on the plaza that is a stylized series of partially opened locks.
Also see . . .
1. Miami & Erie Canal. (Submitted on May 7, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Miami and Erie Canal. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
2. Ohio Canals Marker Map Detail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
3. Port Middletown Plaza
Water feature with marker panels in foreground, while artist Eric Henn's Port Middletown on the Miami & Erie Canal mural dominates the wall of the TV Middletown Building in the background. Looking NW.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
4. Port Middletown Plaza Water Feature
Symbolizing partially opened canal locks. Marker panels are on the outside of the lock wall expansions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009
5. Port Middletown Plaza Mural Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,332 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 6, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on May 7, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on May 6, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
