Most of the early research had focused on prehistoric occupation sites until greater emphasis was placed on Historic period resources, as a consequence of the increasing restoration of historic buildings. Several excavation projects were undertaken at various sites, including the so-called “Locktender’s House” (Lock 38 Structure), the 1825 Frazee House, the 1830 Stanford House, and several structures still standing in historic Everett Village. Center archeologists collected the artifacts on the thumbnail page from those sites and others in the Cuyahoga Valley.

As part of the planning for restoration and improvement of the canal towpath as a multiple-use trail, in 1987 the Center began a systematic survey of lands immediately adjacent to the canal through the entire park. The search for archeological sites alongside the towpath continued through 1990. Trenches excavated through sections of the towpath also provided additional information on the construction of the towpath and other elements of canal structure.

The Towpath Trail Archeological Survey was designed to make certain that one laudable historic preservation effort did not cause inadvertent damage to other cultural resources. The 1987–90 survey, which was the first systematic attempt to inventory cultural resources along the canal, resulted in the discovery of over a dozen archeological sites. The inventoried sites include both prehistoric and historic occupations. Several of the latter appear to be associated with the very early years of the canal operations. NEXT >>