Wyoming Division Canal facts for kids

The Wyoming Division Canal was a special waterway built in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was a branch of the larger North Branch Canal. This canal helped transport a type of coal called anthracite. It stretched about 17 miles, connecting West Nanticoke to Pittston. The state of Pennsylvania owned this important canal for many years.

Where Was the Wyoming Division Canal?

The Wyoming Division Canal began its journey near Solomon Creek. It followed the eastern side of the Susquehanna River through Wilkes-Barre. The canal even crossed over Mill Creek using a special bridge called an aqueduct.

It passed by the Hollenback Cemetery and where the Luzerne County Courthouse is today. The canal then ran alongside Back Street, which is now Pennsylvania Avenue. Later, it followed Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, going past the Stegmaier Building.

Near the end, the canal went back towards the river. It passed through a tall natural area called the Redoubt, which was over 165 feet high. The canal finally ended in Pittston.

Building the Canal: A Look at Its History

Why Was the Canal Built?

In 1831, George Wolf, who was the governor of Pennsylvania, borrowed a lot of money. He used this money to build and improve many canals, including the Wyoming Division Canal.

The main goal of this canal was to connect the city of Philadelphia and the state of New York with the coal-mining areas in Luzerne County. It also aimed to link the Pennsylvania Canal with the famous Erie Canal.

Challenges During Construction

The state government approved the project with a budget of $100,000. However, building the canal was not easy. There were delays for several years. People argued about the best path for the canal. Bad weather also caused problems. Plus, the builders and engineers sometimes disagreed.

Construction finally began in 1831. By February 1832, six miles of the canal were built. But the project had already gone over budget. By 1833, the estimated cost had grown to over $220,000. The canal was supposed to be finished by August 1833. However, it wasn't completed until June 23, 1834. The total cost ended up being more than $342,000.

Building the canal also faced natural challenges. There were large cliffs near Wilkes-Barre that made construction difficult.

Life and End of the Canal

In April 1858, the state sold the Wyoming Division Canal to a private company. This company was called the North Branch Canal Company.

In 1865, a big flood damaged the canal. But workers quickly rebuilt it. The Wyoming Canal continued to operate until it closed in 1882. After it closed, the Lehigh Valley Railroad took over its job of transporting goods.

A Lasting Legacy

In August 1994, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a special marker in Wilkes-Barre. This marker honors the Wyoming Division Canal. The canal played a big part in making the Wyoming Valley the world's largest producer of anthracite coal.

What Was the Canal Like?

The Wyoming Division Canal was about 17 miles long. It connected West Nanticoke and Pittston. The canal also had a public area where boats could dock, called a boat basin. A 30-foot wall was also built along the canal. The water in the canal was about 48 inches deep.

Boats coming from the North Branch Canal used a special rope ferry to cross the Susquehanna River. This ferry helped them reach the Wyoming Division Canal.

Canal Locks

The Wyoming Division Canal had five locks. Locks are like water elevators that help boats move up or down different water levels.

• The first lock was called the Outlet Lock and was 12 feet high.
• The second lock was 10 feet high.
• The third lock was in Wilkes-Barre and was also 10 feet high.
• The fourth lock was in Plainsville and was 6 feet high.
• The fifth lock was at Port Blanchard and was 7 feet high.

How Was the Canal Used?

The Wyoming Division Canal was mainly used to transport goods to big cities. These included Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and places near the Great Lakes. However, some coal owners did not want to rely only on the canal to move their coal. They looked for other ways to transport it too.