Waverly Canal Park
211 Ford AveWaverly, OH 45690
614-297-2300
Canal Park
The Pike County community of Waverly was the largest stop on the Ohio & Erie Canal between Chillicothe and Portsmouth. Running directly through the center of town, the canal was a major presence and a significant spur to economic activity such as brick-making, flour milling, liquor distilling, lumber production, cooperage, hide tanning, manufacturing, and beer brewing.
The Pike County community of Waverly was the largest stop on the Ohio & Erie Canal between Chillicothe and Portsmouth. Running directly through the center of town, the canal was a major presence and a significant spur to economic activity such as brick-making, flour milling, liquor distilling, lumber production, cooperage, hide tanning, manufacturing, and beer brewing.
The Ohio & Erie Canal had a major presence in Waverly. Running north-south on the west side of Water Street (US Route 23), it was lined with businesses and warehouses. The Grand Hotel is on the east side of US 23 between Market and High streets. Lock 44 was just south of Crooked Creek; boats docked at several industries in an adjacent basin. Below the lock, an L-shaped “sidecut” served other enterprises. Canal Park, which features stones from the lock, is in this area today. James Emmitt owned many businesses -- distillery, sawmill, lumber yard, furniture factory, woolen mill – and also an opera house, a bank, and a stable. Until a fire several years ago, the Emmitt House Hotel at the southeast corner of US 23 and Market Street was a local landmark. Emmitt’s general store was built on West Market a rise of land next to the canal. It stands empty, unfortunately in poor condition, and may be demolished at any time.
Notes for Travelers
Waverly has a small historic area with buildings dating from the canal era.
The Pike County Visitors Center is located in an historic building on West Second Street. Check the website for hours it is open and other information about Pike County.
http://piketravel.com/index.html
Credits
Jeff Darbee, Nancy Recchie, David MeyerAdditional Resources
Meyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal – Licking Reservoir to Lockbourne and Columbus FeederMeyer, David. Life Along the Ohio Canal in the Scioto River Valley