My Town Monday: Life on the Canal

By fromskilledhands ( January 4, 2009 at 8:20 pm) · Filed under Courage, Cuyahoga Valley, My Town Monday, Peninsula

The Village of Peninsula, current population, 602, was quite a place during the day of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
The men who dug the canal worked long and hard, for little pay.

Men, women and children worked to keep things going—-at a rate of 4 mph, and families would often live together on canal boats.
AFamily's

Peninsula was known to be a rough stop on the Ohio and Erie Canal. Some Captains wouldn’t stop there since fights often broke out; they would stop north or south of the Village.

Captain Pearl R. Nye was one of the last canal boat captains when the canals were destroyed by floods in 1913. His songs were recorded and were archived by the Library of Congress.

You can read more about Captain Nye, and listen to some of his songs here

Although time has passed, the stories of those who carved out a life in the Cuyahoga Valley continue. The legacy of their courage and independent spirits are alive and well in the Village of Peninsula, gently resisting change since 1837.

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My Town Monday is a great way to experience life through someone else’s eyes. Travis Erwin, the fearless leader of MTM can sometimes be found here. Lately he’s been elsewhere—I wonder if he wore a hat with ears…..
In his absence, Junosmom, and Chris have been minding the store. Check out their sites, and you’ll have the opportunity to click on links that will take you places you’ve never been…….

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A Cups of Kindness update: we’re nearing 14,000 meals for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

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7 comments »

Mary said,

January 5, 2009 @ 10:55 am

Thanks for sharing these great photos, history and the good news about the meals!
Eryl Shields said,

January 5, 2009 @ 11:09 am

I’d love to live on a canal boat; I’d have potted geraniums and a pet duck called Myrtle.
Britta Coleman said,

January 5, 2009 @ 12:29 pm

Congrats on the meals! I enjoyed this post.
rudee said,

January 5, 2009 @ 12:46 pm

What a rich and wonderful history. I love the photos and the descriptions.

Your work for the food bank is inspiring. It’s good for the soul to reach outside yourself, giving to others in times of need. This project seems so worthwhile.
rudee said,

January 5, 2009 @ 12:57 pm

And I just bought a mug and the coffee cup earrings for my girlfriends. I was lax in buying Christmas gifts early. These will be perfect and they’ll love the benefits associated with this purchase. Thanks for reminding me that it is indeed better to give. Ruth
Larramie said,

January 5, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

Captain Nye looks tough. Could it be because “Pearl” is his first name?

And get ready for COK to hurdle the 14,000 mark.
Sepiru Chris said,

January 6, 2009 @ 1:10 am

Hi Debra,

I love the archived photos which you found and have track 1 side 1 playing as we speak. I have put you up as I will continue cohosting MTM until Travis gets back on his feet.

Happy New Years,
Chris