Centreport Aqueduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Centreport Aqueduct
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Weedsport, New York |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architect | Ogden Edwards |
| Architectural style | canal aqueduct |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000051 |
| Added to NRHP | February 4, 2000 |
The Centreport Aqueduct is a really old water bridge located near Weedsport, New York in Cayuga County, New York. It's a special kind of bridge that carries a canal over a stream or river. This aqueduct was built a long time ago, between 1854 and 1857. It was an important part of the "Improved Erie Canal" system.
This amazing structure is made of wood and stone. It helped the famous Erie Canal cross over Cold Spring Brook. The aqueduct is about 125 feet long, 125 feet wide, and 16 feet tall. That's like a really big swimming pool!
It was updated in 1895 as part of a big project called the "Nine Million Dollar Improvement." However, the aqueduct stopped being used after 1917. That's when the New York State Barge Canal System was built, which used a different route.
Even though it's not used for canals anymore, the stone parts of the aqueduct are still standing strong. Today, it's the main attraction of a park next to the road. This park was created in 1972 by the New York State Department of Transportation and the Weedsport Lions Club. The Centreport Aqueduct was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What is an Aqueduct?
An aqueduct is like a special bridge that carries water. Long ago, people built aqueducts to move water from one place to another. They could carry water for drinking, farming, or even for boats! The Centreport Aqueduct was built to carry the Erie Canal over a smaller stream. This allowed boats to travel smoothly without having to go downhill and then back uphill.
Building the Centreport Aqueduct
Construction on the Centreport Aqueduct began in 1854. It took about three years to finish, opening in 1857. The aqueduct was a key part of making the Erie Canal better. The Erie Canal was a huge waterway that connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It helped New York become a major center for trade and travel.
The aqueduct was designed to be strong and durable. It used a mix of wood and stone. Imagine the hard work involved in building such a large structure over 150 years ago! It was a big engineering feat for its time.
Life After the Canal
After 1917, the Centreport Aqueduct was no longer needed for the canal. The new Barge Canal System took a different path. Many old canal structures were left behind. But the Centreport Aqueduct's stone parts remained.
Today, it's a cool place to visit. You can see the history of the canal system up close. The roadside park makes it easy for people to stop and learn about this important part of New York's past. It's a reminder of how people used to move goods and travel across the state.
