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

Canal Terminology
Learn just what all these terms refer to

My Canal Journal
Get updates on Canal related events and trail construction

Links
Internet sites relevant to the Ohio & Erie Canal

Resources and Recom-mendations
Some sources of information used on this website

Memorial Parkway Trailhead

Location:  The Memorial Parkway Trailhead is located in the Little Cuyahoga River valley in Akron on Memorial Parkway near Uhler Avenue. It is accessible to motorists following the CanalWay Ohio National Scenic Byway (Memorial Parkway). It is just south of Mile Marker 35 on the Towpath Trail.

Lock 19 North (Portage Summit Level)

 
Memorial Parkway bridge over the location where Lock 19 used to be, looking south through the seasons

About the Lock:  Lock 19 existed just to the right of the Towpath under the bridge in the picture above. It was destroyed when the Memorial Parkway Bridge was built. Plat map 25 of the 1912 survey of the canal shows the location of this lock and can be viewed here. On the map, there is a road that passes over the north end of Lock 19 that I believe was Tallmadge Avenue before it was renamed Memorial Parkway and the newer bridge was built. A rather long and winding spillway was located on the western side of the lock. A grocery and provisions store may have existed at this lock at one time.

Lock 18 North (Portage Summit Level)

Towpath Trail running through Lock 18 looking south

About the Lock:  Obviously the lock is not watered as the Towpath Trail goes through the lock chamber. The original path passed on the east (left of picture) side of the lock and canal with a spillway on the west side. The tumble appears to have been at the entrance to the spillway a little south of the lock itself. The door chambers and lock culverts are still intact and visible as you walk through the lock. A wayside there shows the difference between the current area and the area during the operational days of the canal. A grocery and provisions store may have existed at this lock at one time.

Lock 17 North (Portage Summit Level)

East wall of Lock 17 looking south

About the Lock: Lock 17 is pretty well intact. The Towpath Trail passes on the east side of the lock as it did in the canal era and the spillway was on the west side. I don't know if the tumble is still intact as it sits in a very wooded area. There was a distillery located at this lock as it was pretty secluded outside the Akron city limits during the canal era.

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The Silliman Survey picture of the canal is courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water. I colored and labeled it for the explanation above.

The historic picture of Lock 17 compliments of the Cascade Locks Park Association