AKRON, Ohio -- A part of Akron's past now has a new home for its future.

The historic Howe House was moved onto the foundation of its new address on Friday.

The home was owned by Richard Howe, the engineer who built the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Without the canal, Akron would not have been developed, which is why the landmark's new location is so important, reported NewsChannel5's Lorna Barrett.

Inch by inch, the old Howe House was moved from a temporary location to its new home overlooking the Ohio and Erie Canal, off West Exchange Street.

The move brought out many long-time Akron residents, including Rebecca James, who is fascinated with the building's past.

"Never seen anything like this in my life. It's very, very interesting," James said.

The house was built in 1836, and Jim Kazak was in charge of its delicate move.

"It's a little bit more fragile because it was built in 1836, three-brick thick, a lot of weight. We're talking 400 tons of building in a small little area," said Kazak.

It took several hours to move the house down a ramp into its new foundation.

Restoration of the house should take another nine months.

At the home's old location just a few blocks away, construction is under way on new apartments for University of Akron students.