Description
Explore Fairfield County’s Canal Heritage Trail — Paddle, Pedal, and Step Through History
Step into Ohio’s storied past and explore the beauty of Fairfield County along the Canal Heritage Trail. Following key sections of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, this immersive trail offers a rich blend of outdoor recreation, local history, public art, and hands-on experiences—from scenic bike rides to kayaking in preserved canal channels.
Trail Highlights:
🚣♀️ Kayak the Historic Canal in Millersport
Glide through a tranquil, tree-lined stretch of the preserved Ohio & Erie Canal in Millersport—one of the few places in Ohio where you can still paddle this historic waterway. As you navigate the canal, you’ll pass lakeside homes, charming businesses, and peaceful natural areas, offering a unique mix of history and small-town charm. Kayak rental services, such as 3XP Tours, make it easy for visitors to enjoy the canal from the water.
🏞️ Buckeye Lake Dam Walking Trail at Liebs Island
Take in sweeping lake views and rich canal history along the 4.1-mile paved trail atop the Buckeye Lake dam. Connecting Liebs Island to North Shore Park, this scenic route follows the old canal embankment and is ideal for biking, walking, or simply soaking in the scenery.
🧭 Lockville Canal Park
Located near the village of Carroll, this peaceful park features three 19th-century canal locks, and interpretive signage that brings to life the village of Lockville in the 1880s. It’s a must-see stop for history lovers and families.
In an area formerly known as Basil, now part of Baltimore, the remains of Lock South 8 are quietly tucked away behind Baltimore Wastewater Plant. Few except some locals and Ohio & Erie Canal enthusiasts cared about or even knew of its existence. In 2018, Bibler Lock became one of nine Ohio & Erie Canal locks approved for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail.
Historic Stops & Markers Along the Trail:
Fairfield County’s canal heritage comes alive at these notable landmarks and official Ohio Historical Markers:
📍 Baltimore Community Museum
Dive into artifacts and exhibits that capture life in a canal-era town and the rural traditions of Fairfield County.
📍 The Georgian Museum (Downtown Lancaster)
Tour a beautifully preserved Federal-style home and learn how canal-era trade influenced Lancaster’s development.
📍 Deep Cut & Millersport Canal Features
Learn about and see the Deep Cut, a remarkable 32-foot-deep hand-dug canal segment created in the 1830s—an enduring feat of engineering.
📍 Ohio-Erie Canal Historical Marker in Millersport
Discover the canal’s importance to Ohio’s growth and to the development of Millersport & Buckeye lake as a transportation hub.
📍 Junction of the Ohio-Erie Canal and Lancaster Lateral Canal in Carroll
Visit this historic convergence point, where goods once traveled from Fairfield County farms to wider markets across the state.
Dive into the Fairfield County Historical Marker Trail to explore a full scope of the county’s rich history, from early settlements and canal development to pivotal moments in agriculture, architecture, and local heritage.
Public Art Along the Trail:
Celebrate community pride and local history through public art installations along the route:
🎨 Canal Mural in Carroll, Ohio
Beside Carroll Cup Coffee, this vibrant mural commemorates the canal’s significance in the town’s history and offers a perfect photo opportunity.
🎨 Canal Mural in Downtown Lancaster
This large, colorful mural showcases the legacy of the canal era and its role in shaping Lancaster’s identity. A visual highlight of the city’s historic district.
Interpretive Signage & Natural Beauty
With educational signage, preserved canal structures, and picturesque views, the Canal Heritage Trail is an engaging experience for walkers, cyclists, kayakers, and history buffs alike. Whether you’re paddling past lakeside homes or exploring a quiet lock site, this trail offers a meaningful connection to Fairfield County’s past and present.
Plan your adventure today and discover the living legacy of Fairfield County’s canal era—by water, by bike, or on foot.
Click here to explore this trail.
A Brief History of the Ohio Canal System
The Ohio & Erie Canal began construction in 1825, with the goal of connecting Cleveland on Lake Erie to Portsmouth on the Ohio River. By the time the canal was completed in 1832, it spanned 308 miles, linking Ohio’s emerging cities with the regional and national economy. The canal served as a vital transportation route, allowing goods such as coal, grain, and timber to be moved more efficiently across the state.
The canal’s construction was an incredible feat of engineering, built by the labor of thousands of workers, including many Irish immigrants. They dug the canal by hand, creating locks, dams, and aqueducts along the route, some of which can still be seen today. The canal transformed Ohio’s economy by facilitating trade and connecting rural agricultural areas to growing urban markets.
Although the canal era declined in the mid-19th century with the rise of railroads, the Ohio & Erie Canal remains a vital part of Ohio’s history. Today, preserved sections of the canal offer an opportunity to explore the rich heritage of the state and the canal system’s role in Ohio’s development.
For additional info, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/history-of-the-ohio-erie-canal.htm
