"The Paw Paw Tunnel stands as a monument to the ability and daring of 19th canal builders. By building the mile-long cut through the mountain, including the 3118 foot tunnel, the canal avoided 6 miles of river bends and steep, rocky cliffs. Methodist minister and contractor Lee Montgomery began construction in 1836 with estimates of completion in 2 years. Labor shortages, financial difficulties, underestimating the cost of the work, and a maze of lawsuits eventually forced him into bankruptcy. Work on the tunnel stopped. In 1850 the tunnel was finally completed." NPS sign

The Paw Paw is probably the most famous structure on the canal. Mostly German and Irish workers did the beautiful brick and stone work.