breaking
through the mountain barrier
the Potomac and Ohio rivers
could be connected.
In
1836 the 14-year construction began on the
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. In 1842 during
construction, a tunnel had to be dug out
of the ridge of the mountain. Due to the
ridge being covered with paw paws, the tunnel
was named Paw Paw Tunnel.
The
Paw Paw Foundation describes the paw paw
tree as a small deciduous tree with large
droopy leaves and slender branches resembling
something normally seen in the tropics.
However the paw paw tree bears fruit best
in temperate climates.
The
fruit of the tree most resembles a banana
in looks and growing behavior. The paw paw
can be found growing in clusters on the
tree and it tastes similar to a banana.
However it is part of the custard apple
family. The trees begin to bear fruit in
August and the fruit ripens by late September
and October.
For
the most part, the paw paw trees are located
along the river and the wildlife eats the
fruit.
The
town of Paw Paw commemorated its namesake
by planting two paw paw trees at the Paw
Paw post office in 1984.
While
you are visiting us, be sure to go out and
find yourself a Paw Paw tree or two just
for the fun of it. If the fruit is ripe,
try and let us know what you think it tastes
like.
