Providence, Ohio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Providence, Ohio
Ghost town
Lock #44 in Providence Metropark
Location of Providence, Ohio
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Lucas
Township	Providence
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)

Providence is a ghost town located on the north side of the Maumee River in Lucas County, Ohio. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and few or no people live there anymore. Providence is about 24 miles (39 km) southwest of Toledo.

In the mid-1800s, this village faced big problems. A terrible fire destroyed many buildings. Soon after, a serious illness called cholera spread through the town. At the same time, travel on the nearby canal became less popular. Because of these events, people left Providence, and it became a ghost town.

Today, the area is part of Providence Metropark. You can still see parts of the old canal era here. There's even a mule-drawn canal boat that takes visitors on a ride. You can also visit an old saw and gristmill that still works!

The Early Days of Providence

The village of Providence was started by a French Canadian named Peter Manor. He was the first white settler to live upriver on the Maumee River, away from Lake Erie. In 1816, he came to set up a fur trading post. This was a place where people traded animal furs.

However, the United States did not allow Canadian traders to operate there. So, his trading post had to close.

Mills and Early Growth

In 1822, Peter Manor built a sawmill next to the river. A sawmill cuts logs into lumber. Later, in 1835, a gristmill was built. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. These mills were important for the growing number of settlers.

At this time, an Odawa people village was still nearby. It was part of a large land area on the south side of the river.

Planning the Town

As more settlers moved to Ohio, people started talking about building a canal. This canal, called the Miami and Erie Canal, would help transport goods and people. It would connect the southwest parts of Ohio to markets on Lake Erie.

Peter Manor prepared for this growth by "platting" the town. This means he drew up a map dividing the land into lots for buildings and streets. In 1837, Ohio gave Manor a contract to start building the canal. Soon, the town was open for business.

Providence was seen as a good place to live. It was known as a safe place, away from the problems of crime and fighting that sometimes happened in other canal towns.

Why Providence Became a Ghost Town

Providence faced two major disasters that led to its decline. These events caused most people to leave the village.

The Great Fire of 1846

In 1846, a huge fire swept through Providence. It destroyed most of the wooden buildings in the main part of the village. The destroyed buildings were never rebuilt. The town struggled to recover after this event.

The Cholera Epidemic of 1854

Just eight years later, in 1854, another disaster struck. Travelers on the river brought a serious illness called cholera to Providence. Cholera is a disease that spreads quickly, often through contaminated water. Many people got sick, and some died.

Those who survived the epidemic left Providence very quickly. They left so fast that they often left their belongings behind.

The End of the Village

Over time, the remaining buildings were either destroyed or moved away. The original town plans disappeared. On October 28, 1928, Lucas County officially removed Providence from its records. It was no longer recognized as a village.

However, some important buildings remained. The church and the saw and gristmill have been recognized as an historic district. This means they are protected because of their historical importance.

The Miami and Erie Canal's Role

The Miami and Erie Canal was very important for Providence. It helped the village grow and develop.

How the Canal Helped Providence

The canal brought not only goods but also many people to the village. At a time when there were few good roads, traveling by water was much easier and faster than by horse and carriage. With so many travelers, Providence grew quickly.

Once the canal was working, the local economy boomed. Products like farm goods, animal furs, and grain constantly moved through the village. This trade brought money and jobs to Providence.

The Decline of Canal Travel

By the 1870s, railroads were completed. Trains could carry goods and passengers much faster than canal boats. Because of this, canal traffic greatly decreased. By the 1900s, the canal was no longer used. The slow speed and limited space of canal boats could not compete with the new railroads.

Providence Metropark Today

The area where Providence once stood is now part of Providence Metropark. This park is part of the Toledo Metroparks system. It helps preserve the history of the canal era.

What You Can See at the Park

• The park features the fully working Isaac Ludwig mill. This mill is a restored saw and gristmill.
• Near the mill, you can see Lock No. 44 of the canal system. A lock is like a water elevator that helps boats move between different water levels. This lock has been restored.
• During warmer months, the park offers rides on a mule-drawn replica canal boat called The Volunteer. This boat takes visitors along a restored section of the canal and even goes through Lock No. 44. It's a great way to experience what canal travel was like long ago!

Remaining Structures in the Area

Many old buildings and structures still stand in the Providence area. Some of them have been restored to their original condition.

• The Isaac Ludwig saw and gristmill, which has been restored in the Historic Providence District.
• Providence Metropark also has a lookout point for the Providence dam.
• Several old Providence Township Schools are still standing:
  • The Perry School (at Neowash and Manore road)
  • Long School (at Heller and Neowash Road)
  • Strayer School (at Neowash and State Route 295)
  • Box School (at Box and Jeffers Road)
• St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, built in 1845, is still used today. A church hall and kitchen were added in 1954.
• The Neapolis School and Ford School were moved and joined together in 1915. This combined building was later turned into an auction house in 1967.