Canal Society of Ohio

The Canal Society of Ohio (CSO) was established in 1961 by James G. Cowles, Ted H. Findley, Lewis W. Richardson, James D. Robinson and others. The CSO serves as a non-profit organization focused on preserving canal history and increasing interest in Ohio's canal heritage. Located in Akron, Ohio the group consists of a Board of Trustees and its open membership. Since its founding, the CSO has collected numerous books, maps, photographs and memorabilia detailing canal development in Ohio as well as other states, and offers these materials for viewing to its members. To keep members aware of society activities, the CSO distributes the quarterly newsletter Towpaths. This newsletter contains articles relating to the canals and their history and any other current items of interest to CSO members. The CSO also conducts guided weekend tours of selected canal segments during the spring and fall seasons. Some of these tours have included the Old Portage to New Portage route (locks #1 to #23) on the Ohio-Erie Canal in the Akron area. Tour guidebooks are provided during the event to help serve as a field manual focusing on the subject of the particular tour.

Group dedicated to the study and preservation of Ohio's canals and dissemination of information on history of Ohio canals; Elizabeth (Betty) Neidecker was a faculty member of Bowling Green State University and an active member of the Society.

The Canal Society of Ohio (CSO) was established in 1961 by James G. Cowles, Ted H. Findley, Lewis W. Richardson, James D. Robinson and others. The CSO serves as a non-profit organization focused on preserving canal history and increasing interest in Ohio's canal heritage. Located in Akron, Ohio the group consists of a Board of Trustees and its open membership. Since its founding, the CSO has collected numerous books, maps, photographs and memorabilia detailing canal development in Ohio as well as other states, and offers these materials for viewing to its members. To keep members aware of society activities, the CSO distributes the quarterly newsletter Towpaths. This newsletter contains articles relating to the canals and their history and any other current items of interest to CSO members. The CSO also conducts guided weekend tours of selected canal segments during the spring and fall seasons. Some of these tours have included the Old Portage to New Portage route (locks #1 to #23) on the Ohio & Erie Canal in the Akron area. Tour guidebooks are provided during the event to help serve as a field manual focusing on the subject of the particular tour.

The Canal Society of Ohio was founded in 1961 for the purpose of preserving and promoting Ohio's canal history. Semi-annual tours of Ohio canal segments are organized each spring and fall to highlight the history, construction and operation of the canal system. Additionally, Society members plan regional activities throughout the year, including slide presentations to interested groups.

The Society circulates a newsletter that contains information on its activities and current news of Ohio's canals. It also publishes a quarterly, Towpaths, with articles on canal history and related information.