The Ohio and Erie Canal was once a vital transportation route, connecting Ohio to growing cities on the East Coast. To manage water flow, locks such as this one were built the length of the canal. They functioned like hydraulic elevators, raising and lowering canal boats.The Murphy family had a farm at Lock 35. For two centuries, farming was the main occupation throughout the valley. Small farms such as theirs shipped products out on the canal. Paul Murphy wrote several essays describing the “laughter and tears” of growing up here. The graphic panel includes quotes and images shared by his descendants.