The village of Tuscarawas was founded in 1816 by Abraham Ricksecker and Abraham Romig. It was one of the earliest villages in Tuscarawas County. The village had a gristmill.

After a petition, the name was changed to Trenton. Shortly after the name was changed, it was once again changed to the original name, Tuscarawas. Despite the change, the name of Trenton stuck with this canal lock.