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Pennsylvania Canal
A network of east-west canals and connecting railroads spanned Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. North-south canals connecting with this east-west canal ran between West Virginia and Lake Erie on the west, Maryland and New York in the center, and along the border with Delaware and New Jersey on the east. Many shorter canals connected cities such as York, Port Carbon, and Franklin to the larger network.
Map of historic Pennsylvania canals and connecting railroads
Specifications
Status Abandoned except for historic and recreational segments and navigable rivers
History
Original owner Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Construction began 1826
Date completed ~1840
Date closed ~1900

The Pennsylvania Canal was a huge system of waterways and railways built in Pennsylvania. It included canals, locks (water elevators for boats), and even special railroads. This amazing project started in 1824 and took many years to build.

At first, people mainly thought about building canals. This was because railroads were very new back then. The main goal was to connect Philadelphia on the east side of Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh on the west. This would help move heavy goods like coal and crops. It also connected Pennsylvania to the growing markets in the Midwest, which could be reached by the Ohio River.

Later, as railroads became better, the system was updated to include them too. A big part of this system was the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This special railroad helped move canal boats (cut in half and placed on wheeled flat cars) up and over the Allegheny Front mountains. It used a clever system of ramps and flat sections. When it was finished in 1834, you could travel from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh in just 3 to 5 days!

Why Build Canals?

Before 1830, many people were moving west into the Midwest. They were settling on new farms and building towns. Pennsylvania wanted to make it easier and cheaper to move goods between the eastern cities and these new western settlements. This was all about making trade better and helping businesses grow.

The plan was to connect the eastern factories with the growing markets in the west. Some private canals, like the Lehigh Canal, were also linked to the state's system. This added even more value to the network.

Interestingly, the original plan for a canal from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna River changed. Instead of digging a ditch, they decided to build a railway, the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad. Railways were easier and cheaper to build because they didn't need huge ditches or water supplies.

Today, most of these canals are no longer used for transportation. However, some parts are still important historic sites. They are great places for recreation, like walking or biking along the old tow paths. The Delaware Canal and the lower Lehigh Canal were used for a long time, even during the Great Depression.

History of the Canals

Further information: See the detailed material on the Pennsylvania Colony River Surveys of 1769–1773 and Pennsylvania State River Surveys of 1790
Harmar Denny letter regarding William Robinson, Jr., and Robinson, Jr.'s support of Aaron Burr, October 4, 1826
This letter from 1826 talks about where the Pennsylvania Canal's end point should be.

The idea of canals in Pennsylvania started in 1797 with the Conewago Canal. This canal helped boats get around dangerous waterfalls on the Susquehanna River.

When New York State started building the Erie Canal (from 1817 to 1825), Pennsylvanians worried they would lose out on trade. So, they quickly began building their own canals. Many miles of canals were built in the early 1800s. These included private canals like the Lehigh Canal, which helped bring coal to factories in the east. Other important private canals were the Schuylkill Canal and the Union Canal.

By 1834, the "Main Line of Public Works" was complete. This was a big system of canals, railways, and inclined planes (ramps). It could move people and goods about 391 miles (629 km) between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Eventually, Pennsylvania had over 1,243 miles (2,000 km) of canals!

By 1840, many parts of the canal system were finished. The Main Line included the Eastern, Juniata, and Western Divisions, plus the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad and the Allegheny Portage Railroad. There were also canals running north–south along the Delaware River, Susquehanna River, and Beaver River.

Around 1850, steam engines became powerful enough for trains to carry heavy freight. Railroads were faster and soon became the main way to transport goods over long distances. In 1852, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) started offering train service from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. In 1857, the PRR even bought the Main Line Canal from the state. By 1859, all canals owned by the state were sold. The canal business slowly faded, and most Pennsylvania canals stopped working after 1900.

Canals Built by the State

The state of Pennsylvania paid for these canals. If a canal went into another state, only the Pennsylvania part is listed here.

Main Line Canals

Susquehanna River Canals

These canals connected directly to the Susquehanna River or its branches.

Beaver and Erie Canals

Delaware Canal

Privately Built Canals

Private companies paid for these canals in Pennsylvania.

Parks and Historic Places

Many parts of the Pennsylvania Canal system are now protected as historic sites. You can visit them and learn about their past!

  • The Delaware Canal is a complete canal that is now part of Delaware Canal State Park. It's 60 miles (97 km) long and great for recreation.
  • The Allegheny Portage Railroad: This historic site shows how canal boats were moved over the mountains. It's a National Historic Site.
  • D & H Canal Company office: A historic office building in Lackawaxen Township.
  • Juniata Division, guard lock and feeder dam: Near Huntingdon, part of the old canal.
  • Juniata Division: A 1.5 miles (2.4 km) section of the canal in Granville Township.
  • Leesport Lock House: An old lockhouse on the Schuylkill Canal in Leesport.
  • Lehigh Canal: Several sections of this canal are preserved in places like Allentown, Bethlehem, Weissport, and Easton.
  • Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach section: A part of the Schuylkill Canal along the Schuylkill River.
  • Union Canal Tunnel: A historic tunnel west of Lebanon.
  • West Branch Division: A canal and aqueduct (a bridge for water) in Milton.
  • Western Division: Parts of the canal near Torrance and along the Conemaugh River near Robinson.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Canal de Pensilvania para niños

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