The charming little village of Carroll is tucked away between the green hills of Fairfield County and was founded in 1829 at the place where the Ohio-Erie and Lancaster Canals crossed. The friendly residents love their town for its interesting history, unconventional street layout, and beautiful surroundings.
1. The Beginnings of a Beloved Town
The rich farmland in the area produced excellent harvests. The terrible roads, filled with stumps and rocks, made it difficult for farmers to cart their crops to the market. In those days, men had to work for a day or two, removing stumps off the road before they were allowed to vote! That is when the idea of a canal for transportation was born.
William Tong, a contractor on the Ohio Canal, laid out the town along the lines of the crossing canals and named it in honor of Charles Carroll, one of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1838 the canal was completed, and boats, heavily laden with farm-fresh crops and grain, were pulled by horses and mules to the town’s market.
2. The Town Stars
James Jeffries was born here in a two-story log cabin on April 15, 1875. He was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion between 1899 and 1905. The town did not forget their famous boxer, and his name appears on many signs in the village.
According to legend Lon Chaney, a famous 1920s vaudeville and stage actor is believed to have been born here on April 1, 1883. Chaney was known for his role in The Man of a Thousand Faces. He played Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. But it was his excellent performance as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera that made him unforgettable.
3. Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
The 1,116 feet high Chestnut Ridge stretches out for 4,500 feet along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The slopes are covered in maples, beech, and higher up the ridge in shagbark hickory and red and black oaks.
The 486-acre park has miles of moderate to strenuous hiking trails that snake through the breathtaking woodland, up the ridge, past old oaks, and over bubbling streams. There’s also a pet-friendly trail and a 9-mile, 12- to 18-inch-wide mountain bike trail.
4. Lockville Canal Park
In the beautiful historic eight-acre park, what is left of the old Ohio and Erie Canal locks and Lock South 11 and 12 can still be seen. The Hartman No 2 Covered Bridge was built in 1888, originally stood over Raccoon Creek, and was moved to the park in 1967 and restored to its former glory.
Here residents and visitors can enjoy a peaceful picnic on the rolling lawns, walk your wagger, and enjoy the birdsong in the trees. The park is open all year round, from dusk to dawn.
The residents are tremendously fond of their little village. They proudly talk about how their town came into being to any traveler who happens to pass by. Make plans to visit for a memorable time!
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