Author Archives: Donna Webb

(Dipsacus fullonum) Also called the fuller’s teasel. A flower head of the fuller’s teasel covered with stiff hooked bracts and formerly used, when dried to raise a nap on woolen cloth. They could be placed … more →

Located south of Summit Lake. They had to be drained to dig the canal. The vegetation left exposed above the water line when the water was drained left a terrible stench. Local inhabitants fled because … more →

(Platanus occidentalis) One of the three most popular yard trees of the mid nineteenth century. Also called Button ball tree. According to Pearl Nye, there was a spreading, stately sycamore shading the water at Lock … more →

The highest level on a canal where it crossed from one river valley to another. One of the two summit levels on the Ohio & Erie Canal was the Portage Summit at Akron.

A canal boat built in Akron in l827. Made its maiden voyage during the July 4th celebration of the opening of the Ohio Canal from Akron to Cleveland.

A canal boat used to perform canal maintenance. It carried a crew and equipment for canal repairs. Since no extra mules were needed the boat lacked a central cabin.