a day / 126 miles / 4 hours 11 minutes
The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a place to actively explore and experience the stories of our past, present, and future on trails, trains, and scenic byways, in canal towns and ethnic neighborhoods, along working rivers and great lakes, within industrial landscapes and vibrant natural areas.
Day 1
9:00 - 3.3 miles / 6 minutes - 9:06
Mill Creek Falls / Newburgh Township
Settlers established Newburgh Township in 1799 on a former Native American trail. Water power provided by Mill Creek's 45-foot waterfall gave Newburgh a distinct advantage over Cleveland. The early lumber and grain mills attracted both businesses and settlers.
Newburgh Township was organized in 1820 around a village square now known as Miles Park. Major realignments near the falls at the turn of the 20th century caused some re-orientation of the falls themselves. Most recently, Cleveland Metroparks has begun to build a trail connecting the waterfall to Garfield Park.9:51 - 7.0 miles / 14 minutes - 10:05
Cascade Locks Park includes two historic canal-era buildings, the Mustill Store (a former general store) and House. The Towpath Trail follows a series of staircase locks that climb the summit into the city of Akron. This new park offers interpretive materials about the history of Akron.
10:50 - 10.4 miles / 20 minutes - 11:11
Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation
The Ohio & Canal Reservation is the newest unit of Cleveland Metroparks, a 5.5 miles stretch of land that encompasses 320 acres from the backyards of six major industries. Visitors will experience a mix of industrial artifacts and natural meadows as they explore trails and exhibits that tell the stories of nature, industry, and immigration. The Canalway Visitor Center provides visitor information and programming.
12:11 - 26.8 miles / 53 minutes - 13:04
Built from 1911-1915 by Goodyear co-founder Frank Seiberling, Stan Hywet Hall is one of the finest examples of English Tudor Revival architecture in the United States. The 65-room mansion and estate sits on 70 lush acres. Visitors can tour the home as well as the surrounding gardens.
13:49 - 2.7 miles / 5 minutes - 13:55
Historic Fourth Street District
This historic district is listed on the National Register by virtue of its architectural excellence and variety. The brick street is flanked by the massive stone Steese mansion; the 1860 Italianate Russell home; Lillian Gish's former tiny Greek Revival; and the Weloman home, which is patterned after Mt. Vernon. Several homes served as stations on the Underground Railroad. The Five Oaks Historic Home is open to the public.
14:55 - 0.5 miles / - 14:56
The art deco style building was constructed in 1931 and was originally a dry goods store. The museum has changing exhibitions of contemporary art and also long-term exhibitions of local history. The area also has a sports gallery, a miniture version of the three-ring Immel Circus, and a photography gallery.
15:16 - 38.2 miles / an hour 16 minutes - 16:32
Navarre is a classic historic canal village. Visitors will find much to do and see here, including the following sites: Rochester Square which is home to Rochester House and the Mathews House Museum; a log cabin (1808) near Bethlehem Square, reportedly the oldest remaining building in Stark County; across the street from the log cabin, the J.D. Define Building, where President William McKinley tried his first case; and the Surbey Feed Mill, one of the last remaining mills built to process, store, and ship grain on the canal.
17:32 - 37.0 miles / an hour 13 minutes - 18:46