• Survey made 1822.

  • Construction recommended and necessary legislation passed 1825.

  • Construction actually started July 25, 1825, near Middletown.

  • Total costs $8,062,680.

  • Financed by sale of land granted by government and by issuance of bonds.

  • Built in sections, total construction covered period 1825 to 1845.

  • A trip from Cincinnati to Toledo only took three days.

  • New Bremen had several hotels and boarding facilities to accommodate the canal workers.

  • The canal was 248.8 miles in length and rose to a summit at Loramie of 512 feet above the Ohio River level.

  • There were 19 aqueducts, 3 guard locks, 103 lift locks, 3 reservoirs.

  • Cities and towns along its route were: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown, Franklin, Miamisburg, Dayton, Tippecanoe, Troy, Piqua, Minster, New Bremen, St. Marys, Delphos, Defiance, Toledo.

  • Peak year of operation was 1851 when revenue was $351,897.

  • Approximately 400 boats were operating at that time.

  • New Bremen became known for its pork packing industry during this era.

  • Operation of the canal continued in some degree through 1913, when a massive flood permanently damaged many facilities.

  • On June 13, 1967 the canal land was ceded to the Village of New Bremen for the purpose of creating a park and recreation area.

  • The Miami & Erie Canal Corridor Association is headquartered in New Bremen and works to preserve and enhance the canal corridor.