Pennsylvania Canal
Posted by: Gosffo
N 40° 15.850 W 076° 52.804
18T E 340133 N 4458773
The Water Highway!
Waymark Code: WM616
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 01/14/2006
Views: 37
The first lock on the Pennsylvania Canal to be dedicated, March 18, 1827, was 150 yds. east of this sign. Penn's Lock, later replaced by locks 10 and 11 in 1859.
Pa. had more canals, 1,356 miles, than any other state. 4,000 miles nationally. They were built with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows. Needless to say it was hard work, with poor living conditions and disease which took many lives. So, when your sick and tired of your job, stop and think!!
This canal system required 2 subsidiary railroads (Allegheny Portage Railroad, to carry the canal boats over the Allegheny Mountains) liftlocks, aqueducts, feeders, canal basins, wasteweirs, towing paths, bridges and lock tender houses. An elevation change of over 3,793 ft. and the boats travel an average speed of 4 miles an hour!
The canal was state owned and run. The canal contected Philladelphia, Pittsburg and Lake Erie. Oh, come on, you have to add Harrisburg!
The canal boat drivers used conk shells to signal boat keepers and other boats of their coming.
The canal had a hayday of only 25 years, after which the railroad, railroaded them out of business! (sorry for the pun, but it had to be done)
While driving along, or traveling on a canal boat ride, I noticed waste weirs. I never gave them a thought till then. They handled the overflow of too much water. Then I thought, how did the water get here, feeder streams. Which just makes you think about all that goes into a canal! And here we are, 180 or so later and some of these unused canals still hold water! I've also visited tunnels that where built and still standing in unbelieveable shape. That is a testament to the building skills of our forefathers!
So to log your find take a picture of yourself and the sign, but if you want extra credit, take a picture of yourself the sign and the STATE Capital building, what ever part you can fit on!
Marker Name: Pennsylvania Canal
County: Dauphin
Date Dedicated: 08/10/1953
Marker Type: City
Location: Opposite 555 Walnut St. Harrisburg at Forum Building
Category: Transportation, Canals, Navigation
Website: Not listed
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