by Theresa Garee
Messenger Editor

The night was full of ghosts and history during the annual Canal Winchester Historical Society Ghost Tours on Oct. 25.

Participants walked the streets of Trine and Waterloo for about 1.2 miles and listened to the personal accounts from prominent members of Canal Winchester’s history.

The first ghost was Reuben Dove’s son who shared that his Dad bought 160 acres at $2 an acre. He also explained that initially it was supposed to be named Winchester but the postal service said there were too many towns named Winchester so the name would need to be changed for clarity.

Since the town was build around the Ohio and Erie Canal, the name Canal Winchester was chosen.

Other characters who spooked their stories to groups throughout the night were Liza Chaney, Allen Eliot, Rueben Dove, Susanna Trine,Elizabeth Montgomery and Philip Weber.

All performers shared how their character helped shape Canal Winchester as we know it today, along with special additions to the stories.

Additions like how Liza Chaney had the first indoor privy and bought her home for just $1500.

Or how the state chose to put the canal right through the Dove’s farm so the family decided to sell the farm in plots and became rich.

The Trine families’ story performed by Elizabeth Bower included a comparison of the Trine family being, “Like the Kardashians of Winchester, with less drama.”

Many of the performers were members of the Canal Winchester Performing Arts Collective.

Next up for the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society is the Grand Openig of the History Center on Nov. 15. from 10-2 p.m.

This building will include the Canal Winchester Museum, with interactive exhibits, local artifacts, and immersive storytelling experiences. Donations will be welcomed.