In the early 1800s, there was no easy way to bring food and supplies from the Lake Erie ports to southern Ohio. Driving a wagon took far too long and was far too difficult. So a plan was devised to dig a big ditch from Lake Erie in the north to the Ohio River in the south. The ditch would be dug by hand and water would eventually fill it. When the ditch, or canal, was completed, 65 foot boats would float along the water hauling food, people and supplies to the ports along the way.

Mules tied to long ropes pulled the canal boats. Each journey took a long time since the canal boats could only travel at four miles per hour. The captain of the boat, his wife and their whole family would live in a single small room aboard the vessel. There was lots of work for everyone in the family. The boys would help drive the mules and the girls would help cook. Often the small children would be tied to a rope attached to the boat to prevent them from falling overboard while the boat traveled through a lock.

During a visit to Roscoe Village, you can climb aboard an authentic canal boat built into the hillside in the center of town. You can see the size of the captain's family quarters and the bed built to hold them all - no matter how many kids there were! In the summer months, you can ride a canal boat down a portion of the restored canal. The horses pull the big boat on the quietest ride you'll ever know while the captain tells the tales of life on the canal.

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