Junction Canal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Junction Canal |
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Map of historic Pennsylvania canals and connecting railroads
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| Specifications | |
| Locks | 11 |
| Status | Abandoned except for historic interest |
| History | |
| Original owner | Junction Canal Company |
| Construction began | 1853 |
| Date of first use | 1854 |
| Date completed | 1858 |
| Date closed | 1871 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Elmira, New York |
| End point | Athens, Pennsylvania |
| Connects to | Chemung Canal, Pennsylvania Canal (North Branch Division) |
The Junction Canal was a special waterway built in the states of New York and Pennsylvania in the United States. It was also known as the Arnot Canal. This name came from John Arnot, who was the main owner of the company that built it. He lived in Elmira, New York.
The canal was built and run by a private company. Parts of the canal were open for use in 1854. However, the whole canal was not finished until 1858. Once completed, the canal was about 18 miles (29 km) long. It also had 11 special gates called locks.
The main idea behind building the Junction Canal was to extend the Chemung Canal. This would allow boats to travel deeper into Pennsylvania. It would also connect to other canal systems there.
Contents
The Junction Canal: A Waterway Story
Canals are man-made rivers or channels. They are built to allow boats to travel where natural rivers might not go. They help move goods and people. The Junction Canal was one such important waterway. It helped connect different areas for trade.
What Was the Junction Canal?
The Junction Canal was a link between two important canal systems. It connected the Chemung Canal in New York to the Pennsylvania Canal (North Branch Division) in Pennsylvania. This connection was very important for moving goods. It allowed boats to carry coal, lumber, and other products.
The canal was about 18 miles long. It had 11 locks along its path. Locks are like water elevators for boats. They help boats move up or down between different water levels.
Building the Canal
The company that built the canal was called the Junction Canal Company. Construction started in 1853. By 1854, some parts of the canal were ready for use. However, it took a few more years to finish the entire project. The whole canal was finally completed in 1858.
Why Did It Close?
The Junction Canal faced a big challenge: railroads. Trains could move goods much faster than canal boats. This competition made the canal less popular. In 1865, a big flood caused serious damage to the canal. This made things even harder for the company.
In 1866, the company was allowed to change its name. It became the "Junction Canal and Railroad Company." This change meant they could start building a railroad. They built the railroad right where the canal used to be. The canal was last used in 1871. After that, it was no longer used and was abandoned.
Where Was the Canal?
The Junction Canal stretched between two main points. Its northern end was in Elmira, New York. The southern end was near Athens, Pennsylvania. These towns were important hubs for the canal's operations.
See also
