Ohio Historical Marker – Historic Lockbourne; Pearl Nye, Canal Boat Captain and Folklorist
Intersection of Decker and Commerce StreetLockbourne, OH 43137
Ohio Historical Marker – Historic Lockbourne; Pearl Nye, Canal Boat Captain and Folklorist
This marker tells the story of Lockbourne’s founding and its thriving economy during the canal era when the Canal House Hotel, several taverns, a distillery, a stockyard, and several mills were located along the canal. Lockbourne was known for its Monypeny distillery, which produced 100 barrels of whiskey a day that was shipped on its canal boats, the Magnolia and Cruiser. Pearl Nye was born in 1872 into a family that operated several boats on the Ohio & Erie Canal and he lived briefly in Lockbourne. In his later years he ¬¬preserved canal era music, poetry and stories. His collection is maintained by the Library of Congress.
This marker tells the story of Lockbourne’s founding and its thriving economy during the canal era when the Canal House Hotel, several taverns, a distillery, a stockyard, and several mills were located along the canal. Lockbourne was known for its Monypeny distillery, which produced 100 barrels of whiskey a day that was shipped on its canal boats, the Magnolia and Cruiser. Pearl Nye was born in 1872 into a family that operated several boats on the Ohio & Erie Canal and he lived briefly in Lockbourne. In his later years he ¬¬preserved canal era music, poetry and stories. His collection is maintained by the Library of Congress.
In anticipation of a boom in canal commerce, Colonel James Kilbourne (1770-1850) platted Lockbourne in 1831 at the junction of the Ohio-Erie Canal and the Columbus Feeder, which was completed the same year. Lockbourne’s name was derived from the numerous canal locks at this site and Kilbourne's own surname. During the heyday of the canal era, Lockbourne boasted the Canal House Hotel, several taverns, a stock yard, a distillery, a sawmill, and a gristmill which used the head of water at Lock 30 for power.
The Monypeny distillery, for many years Lockbourne's largest industry, produced 100 barrels of whiskey a day and was located at the east end of town. The distillery owned two canal boats, the Magnolia and the Cruiser. A transfer warehouse was located at the intersection of the main canal and the Columbus feeder, where freight could be transferred between boats. Howlett's Mill was built as a canal warehouse at the west end of Commerce Street in 1842 and was converted to a gristmill in 1863. Construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad grade obliterated Lock 28, the north canal basin, and the distillery site.
Lockbourne was also the home of Pearl (Gerald) Nye for a short period. Nye (1872-1950) was born on a canal boat in Chillicothe and had 17 siblings. His father was a boat captain, and he and his wife provided Pearl’s education. Pearl, too, eventually became a captain and was a lifelong “canaler” who made his living carrying freight on the Ohio & Erie Canal. After the canal system was abandoned in 1913, Nye built a home on a lock near Coshocton, utilizing portions of an old canal boat. He lived in several other places, including Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, where the Columbus Feeder joined the main canal. Pearl Nye became an important collector of canal lore, music, and stories, and was himself a poet, songwriter and singer. He was recorded by folklorist Alan Lomax and appeared at several folk music festivals. His extensive collection is archived in the Library of Congress.
Notes for Travelers
On street parking is available near the location of this marker and at Locks 26 and 27 on the edge of town. Locks 29 and 30 are accessible from Locke Meadow Park, on the north side of the intersection of Commerce and Denny streets. Two additional Ohio Historical markers are located in the park - Ohio & Erie Canal and Locks and the Columbus Feeder Canal. The Magnolia Trail is a walking trail around Locke Meadow Park that follows the old canal. The trail covers nearly three miles.
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
https://www.columbusmessenger.com/lockbourne-and-the-ohio-and-erie-canal.html
Seasonal events are held in the Old School House. Check this link for upcoming events. https://www.lockbourneohio.us/old-school-house
WOSU-TV, Columbus Neighborhoods program had a short segment on preservation of the canal locks in Groveport and Lockbourne. The link is below.
https://columbusneighborhoods.org/video/preserving-the-locks-groveport-and-lockbourne/
There are a number of resources for learning more about Pearl Nye. Here are just a few.
The Library and Archives at the Ohio History Connection (Columbus) has Pearl Nye material that can be viewed in person.
https://ohiohistory.on.worldcat.org/oclc/2061977
https://ohiohistory.on.worldcat.org/oclc/35393889
The Library of Congress, American Folklife Center has the Captain Pearl Nye collection, which can be searched online. It has audio recordings of canal songs and music; correspondence; transcriptions of poetry and song lyrics; and photos.
https://www.loc.gov/collections/captain-pearl-r-nye-life-on-the-erie-and-ohio-canal/about-this-collection/
https://www.loc.gov/collections/captain-pearl-r-nye-life-on-the-erie-and-ohio-canal/articles-and-essays/timeline/
Pearl Nye recordings of canal songs and music are on the Library of Congress website. Life on the Canal is at this link if you would like to listen.
https://www.loc.gov/collections/captain-pearl-r-nye-life-on-the-erie-and-ohio-canal/articles-and-essays/timeline/
Poetry by Pearl Nye reprinted in several issues of Towpaths, the Canal Society of Ohio newsletter, including Vol.5, No. 1, January 1967; Vol. 5, No. 2, April, 1967.
Newspaper article about Pearl Nye: https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/opinion/2021/01/27/were-pearl-nye-among-those-who-lived-on-along-ohio-and-erie-canal/4249263001/