An Inquisitive Visitor's
Guide to the
Ohio & Erie Canal and Towpath Trail
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An Inquisitive Visitor's
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Lake
Lucerne Trailhead
History: South of Clinton, the canal and Towpath Trail enter their third county, Stark County. Mile markers in Stark County mark the mileage from the Stark/Summit border, not the distance from Lake Erie as in Cuyahoga, Summit, and Tuscarawas Counties. The Lake Lucerne Trailhead sits at the location of the Nimisila Feeder of the O&E Canal. The Nimisila Feeder runs along the eastern shore of Lake Lucerne as it brings water ultimately from the Portage Lakes to supply water for the canal through Canal Fulton. Lake Lucerne itself links with the Tuscarawas River north of the feeder location. The trailhead is a popular fishing spot.
Canal Fulton Community Park and CanalWay Center
Canal Fulton was a bustling center of commerce in Stark County. There were two mains centers in the town, each with its own unique style. The town square was located at the intersection of Canal and Market Streets and was an area of respectability. But one block south, at the intersection of Canal and Cherry Streets, taverns sprung up and were frequented by the canawlers. The intersection became known as Brimstone Corners.
In 2006, the Canal Fulton CanalWay Center opened to the public. Located on the canal in Community Park, the building is a visitor center not only for the canal, but the city of Canal Fulton as well. A small amphitheater is located inside. The dock for the St. Helena III is located outside.
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Location: The Lake Lucerne
Trailhead is located north of Canal Fulton on Erie Avenue North. It is
accessible to travelers on the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway (Erie
Avenue North and High Street Northeast).
The earliest incarnation of the town
was called Milan, which was founded in 1814. When the canal was planned to
pass through the area, the village of Fulton was platted on the east bank
of the canal. Shortly thereafter, a third village was platted and named
West Fulton. In 1853, these three villages joined together to become Canal
Fulton. It was so named because the canal was the mode of transportation
for mail delivery to the town.
A number of fine establishments were
built in Canal Fulton after the coming of the canal. One was the Babst
Tavern which housed three U.S. Presidents on their trips through the town:
William Henry Harrison, John Quincy Adams, and James A. Garfield, who was
once a muleskinner on the canal. Another hotel was the Easly House which
boasted President William McKinley as one of its guests. A grain warehouse
was converted into a grand opera house called the Great Western which
burned to the ground in 1930. Historical markers in the village mark the
locations of all of these historical sites.
After the decline of the canal as a
major transportation route, Canal Fulton
became a smaller, less industrial community. But living up to its
heritage, it was the site of the first historically accurate construction
of a canal boat since the demise of the canal in 1913. In the late 1960's,
the St. Helena II was launched for pleasure rides on the watered canal
from Canal Fulton to Lock 4 Park. It was too authentic, however, and began to rot
before being retired in 1988. A new canal boat was built by more modern
methods and continues to transport passengers in the traditional canal boat
style as the St. Helena III. The St. Helena II is still open for visitors
outside the Canal Fulton Heritage Museum at Community Park.