From the Archives

Miami-Erie Canal

January 29, 2025

The Miami and Erie Canal was constructed from 1825 to 1845 and connected the Ohio River at Cincinnati with Lake Erie near Toledo. On January 25, 1829, the first two canal boats - the Governor Brown (after Gov. Ethan A. Brown who championed Ohio canal projects), followed by the Forrer (after canal engineer Samuel Forrer)- arrived in Dayton, Ohio. The canal as a whole enjoyed its greatest use during the 1840s.

Miami Erie Canal by Dayton Public Library
Miami-Erie Canal near Dayton Public Library

 

Soon, however, a faster, more efficient method of transportation overshadowed the Ohio canals: the railroad. By the late 19th century, the Miami-Erie Canal had been abandoned. IN 1927, after many years of non-use, the Miami-Erie Canal route in Dayton was filled in. Patterson Boulevard now occupies the former canal's curving route through downtown Dayton.

Patterson Boulevard, formerly the Dayton Erie Canal, looking north to Dayton, 1962
Patterson Boulevard, formerly the Miami-Erie Canal, looking north to Dayton, 1962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some great photos of the remaining portions of the canal, as well as Patterson Boulevard, from the Dayton Daily News Archive:

 

Miami Erie Canal Locks, 1955
Miami-Erie Canal Locks, 1955
Miami-Erie Canal Map
Miami-Erie Canal map
Miami-Erie Canal lock-tender’s house, 1964
Miami-Erie Canal lock-tender's house, 1964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miami-Erie Canal north of Fifth Street, Dayton
Miami-Erie Canal north of Fifth Street
Canal from Warren to Main looking northeast, Dayton
Canal from Warren to Main St. looking northeast
Miami-Erie Canal bridge at Second Street, Dayton (1911)
Miami-Erie Canal bridge at Second Street, 1911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Miami-Erie Canal near Lowe Bros. Paint and Delco, Dayton]
Miami-Erie Canal near Lowe Brothers Paint and Delco

 

 

 

 

Miami-Erie Canal near back of DP&L, Taylor along Idylwild
Miami-Erie Canal near back of Dayton Power & Light along Taylor Rd. and Idylwild

 

 

Old Miami-Erie Canal lock and lock keeper’s dwelling near Findlay St. & Mad River, Dayton
Old Miami-Erie Canal lock and lock keeper's dwelling near Findlay Street and Mad River

 

[A bridge over the Miami-Erie Canal]
A bridge over the Miami-Erie Canal
Canal near Apple Electric Co. and Buckeye Wagon Works]
Canal near Apple Electric Co. and Buckeye Wagon Works

 

 

[Former canal near Buckeye Wagon Works and Nichols Electric Co., 1926]
Former canal near Buckeye Wagon Works and Nichols Electric Co., 1926
Canal at Fifth Street, looking south, Dayton
Canal at 5th Street, looking south

 

Miami-Erie Canal south of Third Street, 1926
Miami-Erie Canal south of Third St., 1926
Miami-Erie Canal Lock and historical marker
Miami-Erie Canal Lock and historical marker
Dredge cleans and deepens old canal, 1965
Dredge cleans and deepens old canal, 1965