An Inquisitive Visitor's Guide to the
Ohio & Erie Canal and Towpath Trail

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Travel the path of the canal in this picturesque journey from Cleveland to Portsmouth

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Learn just what all these terms refer to

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Internet sites relevant to the Ohio & Erie Canal

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Tuscarawas County

 

Bolivar

 

Bolivar Aqueduct - Tuscarawas Aqueduct

 

Bolivar Aqueduct piers and abutment looking west from the east bank of the Tuscarawas River

 

About the Structure: The canal entered Tuscarawas County in grand fashion on the Bolivar Aqueduct (also known as the Tuscarawas Aqueduct) over the Tuscarawas River. It was the longest aqueduct yet encountered coming from the north, but like most of the others, it no longer exists. However,  the abutments and piers remain to mark its location. The structure was 170 long over three spans and made of wood. It was necessary to have an aqueduct cross the Tuscarawas River because the river meandered in an "S" shape in northern Tuscarawas County and the aqueduct significantly reduced the length of the canal in this area. The remaining piers are visible from the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway (SR 212).

 

State of the aqueduct Trunk non-existent, abutments in disrepair but visible, and piers intact in the river bed
GPS Cooridinates (east abutment) N40 39.303 W81 28.109
Accessibility Via a canoe livery drop off point

 

Bolivar City Park Trailhead

 

Location: The trailhead is not constructed yet but will be located on the CanalWay National Scenic Byway (SR 212). Bolivar is located in northern Tuscarawas County, approximately 1.5 miles from the end of the current Towpath Trail in Stark County. The CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway passes through Bolivar via State Route 212. The historic Canal District is one block east of State Route 212.

 

History: Bolivar was once called Kelleyville, named after Alfred Kelley who was one of the state's first canal engineers. The name was changed to honor Simon Bolivar, the liberator of South America. Why, I don't know. The town was once a busy canal town due to the fact that it was the location of not one, but two canals: The Ohio & Erie Canal and the Sandy & Beaver Canal, which ended in Bolivar.

 

The Towpath Trail in Tuscarawas County doesn't start until south of Bolivar and I-77. Once the trail is completed in Bolivar, it will connect to the existing trail by means of a bridge over I-77 that is currently under construction. In the meantime, to get to the trail from Bolivar, cross under I-77 on SR 212 and head to the canoe livery on the west side of the road. Follow the blue blaze markings for the Buckeye Trail to the start of the Towpath Trail. There are four locks before you get to the next trailhead at Canal Lands Park.

 

Distance from SR 212 Not completed yet
Distance to Bolivar Canal Park Not completed yet
Facilities at the trailhead Not constructed yet
Attractions ◊ Historic Homes Walking Tour (not designated yet)
Towpath surface south of the town Not completed yet

Bolivar Canal Park - Junction of the Sandy & Beaver Canal

Location: The Bolivar Canal Park is not constructed yet but will be located in the town's Historic Canal District. It will be accessible to the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway (SR 212) by turning east on Cherry Street to the historic district. The park will eventually be the terminus of the Sandy & Beaver Canal Trail as well.

History: Interstate 77 now runs through the area that was once occupied by the Ohio & Erie Canal's towpath. But looking out across what is now I-77 from the end of Water Street in the 1850's, you would have seen the Sandy & Beaver Canal heading for Pennsylvania from Bolivar. A large aqueduct allowed the canal to pass over the Tuscarawas River until it collapsed in 1883. A vintage photo of it can be seen here. The Sandy & Beaver Canal only operated as a whole from 1850 until 1852, but continued to supply water to the Ohio & Erie Canal for another 30 years. The intersection of these two canals made Bolivar a busy port town for a few years, but it never achieved the size of Akron further north, where the O & E Canal had its first intersection with another canal. The above picture is looking east from Water Street in Bolivar's Historic Canal District across I-77.

 

Distance from Bolivar City Park Not completed yet
Distance to Ft. Laurens State Memorial Not completed yet
Facilities at the trailhead Not constructed yet
Attractions ◊ Historic Canal District
◊ Yesterdays on the Canal Restaurant
Towpath surface south of the trailhead Not completed yet