Lock No. 15 on the Miami and Erie Canal ensured the development of Tippecanoe, Ohio, but the village would not have grown into the busy Tipp City of today without people determined to build futures for themselves and their families. John Clark established the town, and prosperity came with men and women like Joshua Horton and his newspaper, John Garver and his furniture factory, James Scheip of Tipp Novelty, Peter Bohlender of SpringHill Nursery, and the Timmers of TipTop Canning. The strong school system evolved thanks to innovative leaders like James Bartmess and L.T. Ball. The entire community benefited from the vision of Sidney Chaffee and his opera house, and it benefits still today with the visions of volunteers like Bob and Jackie Wahl and Peg Hadden, who, along with so many others, give their time, talent, and love to Tippecanoe and Tipp City.
