Ohio Historical Marker – Junction of the Ohio & Erie and Lancaster Lateral Canals

Center Street just north of Canal Street
Carroll, OH 43112

Open 24 Hours
Free

Ohio Historical Marker – Junction of the Ohio & Erie and Lancaster Lateral Canals

Ohio had an extensive canal system. The Ohio & Erie Canal extended from Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth. There were also branch canals, of which the Lancaster Lateral was one. The junction was located here in Carroll, Ohio.

Ohio had an extensive canal system. The Ohio & Erie Canal extended from Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Portsmouth. There were also branch canals, of which the Lancaster Lateral was one. The junction was located here in Carroll, Ohio.

Canals were an important means of transportation when Carroll was founded in 1829 by William Tong and his brother Oliver, who chose this site because it was where the proposed intersection of the Lancaster Lateral Canal and Ohio-Erie Canal would be constructed. This is the only site in Fairfield County where two canals met and came to be known simply as "the junction" by local residents. Canals became obsolete with the emergence of railroads and the last canal boat passed through Carroll in 1897. Note the names of several streets, which refer to the community’s canal history – Lock Street, Canal Street, and Tow Path Alley.

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Notes for Travelers

There is a large canal mural on the side of the Atwood Door Company that depicts a canal boat, houses, and passengers and crew. The last canal boat passed through Carroll in 1897. On street parking is available.



Credits

Jeff Darbee, Nancy Recchie, David Meyer

Additional Resources

Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal – Licking Reservoir to Lockbourne and Columbus Feeder

Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal in the Scioto River Valley

www.ci.carroll.oh.us/CarrollHistory.htm