Canal Winchester, Ohio Historical Marker – Interurban Depot
Behind 10 S High St.Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Canal Winchester, Ohio Historical Marker – Interurban Depot
The preserved Scioto Valley Traction Company Interurban Depot is the location for this historical marker. The service was introduced in 1904, with portions of it being constructed parallel to the Ohio & Erie Canal. Both the canal and the interurban were transportation innovations of their time.
The preserved Scioto Valley Traction Company Interurban Depot is the location for this historical marker. The service was introduced in 1904, with portions of it being constructed parallel to the Ohio & Erie Canal. Both the canal and the interurban were transportation innovations of their time.
Erected in 1905 by the Scioto Valley Traction Company, this station served as a terminal for passenger and freight service as part of an electric railway that connected Canal Winchester with Columbus and other neighboring towns in central Ohio. Known as the interurban, portions of it were built on the right-of-way of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Regular service was maintained from 1904-1930 when improved roads and affordable automobiles made the system obsolete. This historical marker stands in the original path of the interurban track that once ran parallel to the station along the north side of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Direct current from the "third rail" provided power to the interurban trolley cars to achieve speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Passengers could purchase a ticket to ride from here south to Lancaster or north to Columbus via Obetz Junction where a transfer could take travelers southwest as far as Chillicothe.
Notes for Travelers
The Scioto Valley Traction Company interurban depot, which is located in Canal Winchester’s historic downtown area, has been restored. The marker is located in the public parking lot behind the depot. Canal Winchester has an attractive historic center with both commercial and residential buildings.
The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society has preserved the former Hocking Valley Railroad depot, as well as historic mill and school buildings, in a park located at the intersection of High and Oak streets. It is just a few blocks north of the intersection of Waterloo and High streets it is a great walk through a beautiful historic neighborhood.
For a parking map and more information about visiting Canal Winchester check the following websites: www.canalwinchesterohio.gov and https://www.destinationcw.org/.
Credits
Jeff Darbee, Nancy Recchie, David MeyerAdditional Resources
Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal – Licking Reservoir to Lockbourne and Columbus FeederMeyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal in the Scioto River Valley
Canal Winchester Area Historical Society https://www.cwhistory.org/history.
Information for visitors is available on the city’s website: http://www.canalwinchesterohio.gov/101/Visiting-CW.