  Bob_cosgrove Member Username: Bob_cosgrove Post Number: 568 Registered: 03-2005 |
The newly formed State of Michigan's 1837 Internal Improvements called for the state to built three railroads and two canals. While two of the raiilroads were built - the Michigan Central and the Southern Michigan - the canal begun on the Clinton River in Mount Clemens was never completed. However, on Saturday, September 8th you'll have an opportunity to experience what it was like to ride on an 1830's mule-drawn canal boat. Bob Cosgrove "A Trip Back in Time - Canal Boats & Railroads" The Canal Boats and Railroads Tour departs from The Henry Ford Centennial Library at 16301 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn by deluxe motor coach at 9 a.m. for Waterville, Ohio southwest of Toledo. The Toledo Area MetroParks have restored locks and a section of the 1830s Miami & Erie Canal, which ran from Toledo, Ohio on Lake Erie to Cincinnati on the Ohio River. Trip highlights include a leisurely one-hour trip up the canal on The Volunteer, an 1830s mule-drawn canal boat replica. Featured are stops at the Isaac Ludwig Mill operating saw and grist mill, an opportunity to shop in the General Store offering collectibles and gifts, a view of the large 19th Century Lock #44 restored to operation, and to be entertained by Toledo MetroParks staff in authentic period garb. The tour then heads to Smitty’s for a late 2 p.m. lunch. After lunch, there’s a short jaunt to the Nickel Plate Road railroad Depot in Waterville for a 90-minute train ride on the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway’s Bluebird passenger train pulled by an 1950s Alco diesel locomotive. Relax as the train passes a 190-year old 1817 log cabin and a 100-year old horse barn along with many other sights. After the train ride, you can tour the locomotive and visit with the engineer and train crew. They can tell you of the Nickel Plate Road’s Clover Leaf Division, originally 3-foot narrow gauge in the 1850s that ran from Toledo to St. Louis. The return to the Henry Ford Centennial Library arrives at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $85.00 per person and must be ordered in advance. Included are the motor-coach, canal boat ride, lunch at Smitty’s, and the train ride. For more information or to order tickets using VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card, contact the Bluewater Michigan Chapter NRHS at (248) 541-1000 or (800) 594-5162 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Or order by check or money order payable to the Bluewater Michigan Chapter, NRHS at Office Box 296, Royal Oak, Michigan 48068-0296. Also see www.bluewaternrhs.com | ||
Bob_cosgrove Member Username: Bob_cosgrove Post Number: 569 Registered: 03-2005 |
 Here's the Toledo Metro Parks mule-drawn 1838 canal boat replica - "The Volunteer."  |
