An Inquisitive Visitor's
Guide to the
Ohio & Erie Canal and Towpath Trail
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An Inquisitive Visitor's
Guide to the |
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McLaughlin's Dry Dock
Entrance to McLaughlin's Dry Dock looking southwest from Towpath Trail
About the Dry Dock: The first dry dock at this location was begun in 1830. It was purchased by E.J. McLaughlin in 1860 and was in use until the end of the canal in 1913. The current building was dedicated in 1976 and is used to house and repair the St. Helena III canal boat operated by the Canal Fulton Heritage Society.
Lock 4 South (Portage Summit Level) - Mill Lock
Lock 4 looking south from Towpath Trail
About the Lock: Lock 4 is the last working lock on the present day Ohio & Erie Canal. The lock has undergone three rebuilds since the demise of the canal, first in the early 1960's, then again in 1982, and finally in 1991. It is the only lock to operate for the use of lifting a canal boat since 1913 as the St. Helena II would navigate the lock when it was operational until 1988. I do not know if the current lock operates for the St. Helena III. The spillway is intact to the east of the lock. The building directly west of the lock is currently undergoing renovation. It was built as a park shelter in the 1930's when the canal lands were turned into park lands. It is not a locktender's house as it is sometimes thought to be. However, it is possible that a locktender's house once existed here.
The lock was more commonly known as Mill Lock because of the large Lock Mill that used the bypassed water for its energy source. It was one of the first mills in this part of the country and often operated around the clock. The mill's builder, James Duncan, had planned a community around the lock and mill that was to be called Fenlon. But since Canal Fulton prospered just a short distance north, the community never developed. The mill, also known as Duncan's Mill, was torn down in 1908.
Location: The Butterbridge Road Trailhead is located on Butterbridge Road south of Canal Fulton. It is accessible to travelers on the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway (Erie Avenue) by turning west on Butterbridge Road. It is south of Stark County Mile Marker 5 on the Towpath Trail.
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