Portage Lakes
What exactly is the Portage Lakes? During my childhood i always wondered how I lived in Akron, Coventry, and Portage Lakes at the same time.
Portage Lakes is a CDP (census-designated place) with a population of about 10,000. The Portage Lakes area is located in parts of the city of New Franklin, the city of Green, and Coventry Township. They include
Nimisila Reservoir, Mud Lake, Long Lake, Turkeyfoot Lake, North Reservoir, Hower Lake, Rex Lake, Mud Lake, Dollar Lake, West Reservoir, East Reservoir, Grupe Lake, Cottage Grove Lake, Nesmith Lake, and Millers Lake.
The Portage Lakes is named after the old Indian portage path which connected the Cuyahoga River flowing north to Lake Erie and the Tuscarawas River which through the Muskingum, flows south to the Ohio River. This proved advantageous for the Indians and early settlers as navigation from Lake Erie to the Ohio was possible with only one eight-mile portage overland. Portage Lakes State Park lies at one of the highest points of the state and on a major watershed divide in Ohio. Some water from the lakes reaches Lake Erie and some flows to the Ohio River.
The area became an important trading post for settlers and Indians. It was a recognized landmark during the War of 1812, serving as a rendezvous point of American troops. The old Indian portage path was part of the ancient boundary between the Six Nations and the Western Indians.
Which historic site do you want to explore?
Old State Mill
Albertsons Inn
Cormany Landing
Long Lake
Keplers Hotel
Smiths Tavern
Tudor House
Turkeyfoot Lake
Youngs Hotel
Summit Beach
Ohio & Erie Canal