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Historic village offers a glimpse of the heydays of the Ohio and Erie Canal
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: February 7, 2013
Located off state Route 21 in the southwestern corner of Summit County along the Tuscarawas River, the village of Clinton remains closely tied to its historic roots, offering residents and visitors a feel for life back in the days of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
“Clinton still retains that old-time canal flavor,” said Sandra Dreurey a resident and member of the Clinton Historical Society. “We have a lot of old homes and buildings here.”
Founded in 1816, 10 of Clinton’s canal, railroad and industrial resources have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the 1847 Rhoads-Harter Home at 7866 Main St., which serves as the headquarters for the historical society as well as being a Summit County Underground Railroad site.
“Clinton used to be part of Stark County until Summit County was formed in 1840,” said Dreurey.
In the beginning the village grew slowly, but when the canal builders arrived on the scene in the mid-1820s it became a popular destination for business and transportation.
“The canal was first navigated on June 27, 1827, and a lot of the early development happened because of it,” said Dreurey. “The Tuscarawas was much larger then and it supplied water power and an abundance of fish. A lot of people don’t realize that cranberries were once grown in this area.”
Bituminous coal was also a popular commodity in Clinton, which was shipped via the canals to Akron and Cleveland. However, the popularity of the canals faded when the railroad arrived in 1873, and after a major flood in 1913, the remaining canal locks became inoperable.
Today, the village has just over 1,300 residents and the towpath trail runs through the middle of the downtown. While the heydays of the Ohio and Erie Canal are long gone many people walk or bike on the towpath trail, and canoe or kayak along the Tuscarawas, with some signing up for tours at the Canal Fulton Canoe Livery.
“I think we are one of the nicest communities in northeast Ohio,” said Mayor Allen Knack, who has lived in the village for 21 years. “We are the last leg of the towpath trail before you enter Stark County and it is a beautiful place to bike, walk or take your family. There is a lot of aquatic life for viewing and it generates a lot of traffic.
“We have a great school system, and our children are part of the Northwest Local School District, which receives high ratings for academics,” said Knack.
The mayor said the village of Clinton has a garden club, an applefest in the fall, numerous churches, girl scouts, and a historical society. “Everyone works together to make Clinton a desirable place to live and raise a family.”
In addition to the Tuscarawas River and towpath trail, the mayor said Clinton is just a stone’s throw away from four golf courses, including Chippewa, Lyons Den, Spring Hills and Turkeyfoot.
Clinton is also home to Ohio Veterans’ Memorial Park, which is located at 8005 Cleveland-Massillon Road. It opened in 2009 and the west side of the wall features the names of the 3,095 Ohioans who died during the Vietnam era.
“It is the only one of its kind and it is funded by generous donations,” said Knack. “No tax dollars were used to build this memorial park. In August 2012, over 300 names were added to the wall of every Ohioan who lost their lives in the Beirut, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon conflicts. Also on the east side of the wall is a history of every war Ohio has participated in since 1812. Last year it drew well over 30,000 visitors.”
The village also maintains Warwick Park. “It has a lighted baseball diamond and a lot of traveling softball and baseball leagues utilize it. We even have a ladies softball league,” said Knack.
Clinton now contracts with the city of New Franklin for police protection, and the Clinton and New Franklin fire departments have joined forces to man a joint fire station 24 hours a day, which the mayor said improved fire and emergency medical services to both Clinton and the west side of New Franklin. “It is a good marriage,” said Knack. “It has kept both communities safer.”
There are currently about 40 small businesses located in the village. Among them are two beauty salons, a hardware store, the Cricket restaurant, Covered Bridge Drive Thru, Clinton Aluminum, Artisan Countertop Builders and Rock & River Adventure Supply as well as a recently opened antiques store.
“One thing needed is a grocery store/deli,” said Knack.
Dreurey said there are fewer businesses downtown now than when she was a child, but that is expected to change if a proposal to install a central sanitary sewer system becomes a reality, replacing the current septic systems.
“This is why we are at an economic standstill at the moment until we resolve the health department issue with the existing septic systems,” said Knack. “As things are now, businesses are not allowed to install a public restroom, which is a big problem. A few years ago we lost our doctor and we have not been able to get another one because the office can’t offer a public restroom.”
Knack, who has been a businessman for 40 years, said he believes it makes sense to resolve this issue to attract new businesses and provide an adequate sewer system for residents. “We are in meetings with Summit County Executive Russ Pry and hope to bring sewer to the village in 2014.”
Clinton is becoming a thriving community again due in part to the recent enactment of a 1 percent income tax.
“Clinton is one of the last villages in Ohio to enact an income tax,” said Knack.
“This tax was necessary because we were running on a shoestring budget,” said Knack. “The council voted to enact it before I became mayor. Prior to that, we were operating the village on property taxes alone.”
Knack said the economic downturn did prove quite challenging, but the village did not lay anyone off. However, he said much needed equipment upgrades and purchases were put on hold.
“We went with the bare minimum of road salt and we put off addressing drainage problems because we had no money,” said Knack.
“The last property tax levy was five years ago to cover the costs of the fire department.
“This $3.75 million levy was renewed by a 2-to-1 margin in November 2012, so I think that says residents are happy with the service.
“We only have one plow truck that is over 15 years old and now that we have some money in the budget we are in the process of ordering a new truck.”
Knack said he would like to decrease the tax burden on residents in the future.
“If we can get sewer we’ll be able to attract more businesses that will provide revenue, making it easier to support the community without raising taxes. I especially hate to place more of a burden on new families or people who are retired. I want it to be an affordable place to live.
“We want to keep the hometown charm and see more businesses that meet the needs of residents.”