History of Canal Fulton, Ohio
Canal Fulton's Ohio & Erie Canal
Ohio's 1000-mile network of navigable canals, constructed between 1825 and 1847, provided a system of economical transportation where none had previously existed. The young state with its isolated frontier economy was transformed almost overnight. The canals opened many markets for its agriculture and industrial products, and attracted thousands of immigrants to the state. Today only a few of the deep excavations, the high earthen embankments and the massive structures of timber and cut stone are left to remind us of our debt to those who built Ohio's first transportation system.
Working Lock IV
On Erie Avenue south of Canal Fulton Features an historic canal lock (the fourth lock south of Summit County) and a replica of a lock keeper's cabin which was contracted during the Depression by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Lock 4 Park also features a mill raceway, picnic tables and grills, a handicap-accessible fishing dock, and portable toilets. Parking for about 50 cars is available inside the park and along Erie Avenue. An historic landmark in north west Stark County, Lock 4 Park is a popular entry point to the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway for walkers, bicycle riders and equestrians. The park is the site of the Towpath Trail Trout Derby for children ages 5-15, sponsored every year on the last Saturday of April by the Stark County Park District.
The Ohio & Erie Towpath
The Ohio & Erie Towpath is an historic landmark currently under development as a walking, biking trail. More than 20 miles of the trail are open in Stark County. The Ohio and Erie Canal towpath is fast becoming Stark County’s premier recreational trail. Thousands have already enjoyed its flat, tree-shaded serenity for hiking, jogging, bicycling and horseback riding (in designated areas), and trail usage is increasing dramatically. Particularly on weekends.
The Heritage House and Old Canal Days Museum
This is the Heritage Society's main building. The museum was originally two separate structures. The large area, which contains the exhibit rooms, once stood on the western bank of Tuscarawas River just south of the Old Stone Bridge. It had served many purposes over the years, including a rental dwelling and a warehouse. Mr. Ralph Hardrove gifted the building to the Society, which moved it to its present location in 1973. The museum is located at the entrance to Community Park at 103 Tuscarawas Street.
The Oberlin House
The Oberlin House: Originally built in 1847, during the height of the Ohio Canal Era, the Oberlin House is a "Salt-box" style structure. The house was restored in the early 1970's. It had been donated to the Heritage Society by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell is the granddaughter of the Oberlin family.
The house serves as a living history museum. Visitors are guided back in time by "Mrs. Oberlin" or another costumed member of the Oberlin family who narrates the tour as though chatting with travelers of a century ago.