With faster travel, Ohio's population and economy boomed. Mills, industries, stores, taverns and whole towns sprang up along the canal, offering travelers a place to tie their boats and venture out while waiting to “lock through.” It remained a busy route until the mid-19th century—the coming of the railroad. Canal use declined, and when Ohio suffered an extensive flood in 1913, the waterway wasn't repaired.
The recreational conversion of the canal towpath has ensured that Ohio's canal era will be preserved. Walkers, runners and bicyclists now travel the route that mules and “canawlers” (boatmen) once used to pull boats through the water. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail covers the entire length of Cuyahoga Valley National Park—even continuing past its boundaries—and is a popular destination for those seeking exercise amid nature and wildlife. Interpretive signs along the crushed limestone path denote historic sites, and milestones mark the original distance from Cleveland's port. You'll see archive photographs of long-forgotten buildings and places, including the valley's first European settlement, founded in Pilgerruh in 1786 and abandoned in less than a year. You'll also encounter many of the canal's physical features, including an aqueduct, feeder channels and more than a dozen locks.
An exhibit at Lock 29 provides an insightful perspective: you can view the structure from within. From the bottom of the lock you can see the masons' engraved marks on the hand-cut sandstone blocks. Just to the south lies Lock 28, also known as Deep Lock because at 17 feet, it was the deepest one on the route. In addition to all the physical structures, you'll see exhibits revealing stories about 19th-century life along the canal: why corn-meal “johnnycakes” provided the nickname for Johnnycake Lock; jousting's role in deciding which boat would lock through first; and a colorful account from John Quincy Adams, who endured an uncomfortable canal trip in 1834.
Though it's no longer a viable means of transportation, the Ohio & Erie Canal path remains significant to throngs of park visitors who use the towpath trail to exercise, enjoy the views and discover the history of the Cuyahoga Valley.