My Town Monday: Of Boats and Stones and Hobos
Another tip of the hat to Travis Erwin, the master behind My Town Monday. After your visit here, wander on over to his site; you will find links to bloggers’ sites that will take you all over the world.
Each week I learn more about my town, the Village of Peninsula, located in the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. During the halcyon days of the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River, this town was a center of commerce and industry in the Cuyahoga Valley. Due to a natural waterfall in the River, Peninsula was able to capitalize on its water power. The first sawmill and gristmill in the Village were started by Hermon Bronson. Bronson actively promoted the Village and was instrumental in its being included in the plans for the then proposed Ohio and Erie Canal. The Canal opened in the Valley in 1827, with Lock 29 located in Peninsula. Boat building became an important industry, and more canal boats were built in Peninsula, and neighboring Boston Township than anywhere else on the canal.
Quarrying was another major industry in the Village. Deep Lock Quarry was the source for much of the stone used in the building of the canal locks, and of many of the buildings in the village. The Quarry also manufactured stones, including millstones, grindstones, and pulp stones. These stones were used locally and were also shipped to places like Germany, Russia, and Japan.
Deep Lock Quarry hosted the Deep Lock Quarry Hobo Gathering in June, 2007. Mama Jo, the 2003-2004 Hobo Queen tells a story that could have been told years ago. She writes “LETTERS ARE VISITS WHEN FRIENDS ARE APART.”
This years Deep Lock Quarry Hobo Gathering will be July 18, 19 and 20. It should be an interesting weekend. The Peninsula Python Festival will be Saturday, July 19. Stay tuned 
The Village of Peninsula, gently resisting change since 1837.
**#2 Daughter and I are off to LEAF, the Lake Eden Arts Festival in North Carolina. We’ll be back next Monday. My MTM post may be late. Have a wonderful week.
May 4th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
It sounds like a lovely place to live. Interesting post.
Linda
May 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
[…] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptBoat building became an important industry, and more canal boats were built in Peninsula, and neighboring Boston Township than anywhere else on the canal. Quarrying was another major industry in the Village. … […]
May 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Isn’t history fun? I love learning about my local history. Along with yours and other My Town Monday writers.
Isn’t it incredible the impact that the Erie Canal had?
May 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I agree with Clair. History is pure magic. So many people were so creative in figuring out how to get things done, and canals were the great enablers of the 19th Century.
Terrie
May 5th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Is there anything prettier than stone building and we have so few in the Midwest.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
You’re inspiring me to find out more about my own town! Meanwhile, happy travels!
May 5th, 2008 at 11:49 am
History is just that: his-story.It’s the stories of the people who came before us. Fascinating stuff, isn’t it.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Debra, it’s also her-story!
Enjoy a glorious week!
May 5th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hobo gathering? Now that sounds interesting. Off to read that link.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Have a marvellous time at Leaf, hope you get to check out the vanilla cheesecake too!
May 6th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Larramie–it certainly is her-story, too.
You have a wonderful week as well.
Yes, Travis, a hobo gathering. In my own backyard. Pretty cool.
Thanks, Eryl. I”ll let you know if they have vanilla cheesecake! This time it will be MY choice.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:23 am
You know whenever I see the word, “Cuyahoga” I automatically hear The Pretenders song “Ohio” in my head. I always thought that line, “from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls” sounded really cool
May 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Love that saying !