Donald A. Windsor
The
Chenango Canal was the most important thing that ever happened to the
Chenango valley. It transformed a self-reliant lifestyle into a
membership in a much larger economy. Before the Canal, commerce was
confined within isolated local areas, due to poor roads. After the
Canal opened in 1837, entrepreneurs could engage in the rich markets
provided by its connection to the Erie Canal, which provided access
to the Hudson River and Lake Erie. No longer did residents have to
make and grow everything they needed. No longer did they have to
worry about what to do with any surpluses they produced. The
corridor between Binghamton and Utica was changed forever.
The
Chenango Canal stretched between Utica and Binghamton,a distance of
93 miles. To cross over the intervening uplands, an elevation of 706
feet above Utica and 300 above Binghamton, 116 locks were built.
As
important as this canal was, none of its remains in Chenango County
were secure; pieces of it are lost every year. However, now the
situation is being remedied. The Chenango Land Trust has obtained
Lock 99, the crown jewel of Chenango Canal remains. Built near South
Oxford between 1833 and 1837, this cut-stone structure served to
raise and lower boats until 1878.
The
photo shows the imposing interior of Lock 99. From left to right are Earl Callahan, President; Anne Altshuler, Secretary; Don Windsor, Treasurer; Fred Von Mechow, Director of Land Protection. The walls of the lock appear green because of ferns growing out of the stones. We are standing in the canal bed on the downstream (southern) side of the lock.
The
Chenango Land Trust intends to conserve as much of the canal remains
as it can, using easements, donations, and ownership. Anyone who is
interested in saving canal remnants is encouraged to contact us at
607-336-4628.
We
will be offering a field trip to Lock 99 in the near future.
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