Downtown in Syracuse in Onondaga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

How Much Does a Canal Boat Weigh?

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019

1. How Much Does a Canal Boat Weigh? Marker

Inscription. That's the Weighlock Building across Erie Boulevard, where canal boats were weighed and tolls paid when this busy street was the Erie Canal. Cargo boats entered the stone lock chamber beneath the overhang, gates were closed at each end, the water drained out, and the boat settled onto a massive cradle suspended from balance beams overhead. Cargo weight equaled total weight — minus empty boat weight (recorded at the beginning of each season). Tolls were based on the weight and type of cargo.

Other weighlocks stood at Albany, West Troy (Watervliet), Waterford, Utica, Oswego, and Rochester, but only this Syracuse weighlock survives with its building intact. After canal tolls were abolished in 1882 the building served as engineering offices for the canal system. Today the Weighlock is the Erie Canal Museum and houses a full-size replica canal boat.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 43° 3.061′ N, 76° 8.941′ W. Marker is in Syracuse, New York, in Onondaga County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Erie Boulevard East

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(New York State Route 5) east of Montgomery Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk in the triangular plaza just north of the Erie Canal Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse NY 13202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Erie Boulevard Was Once the Erie Canal (here, next to this marker); Erie Canal (a few steps from this marker); Why a Weighlock? (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardening Along the Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Gateway to the World (within shouting distance of this marker); Pitts Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Onondaga Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Locks (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syracuse.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Erie Canal Weighlock

Also see . . . The Weigh Lock. By 1883, more than $121 million in tolls was collected, which totally covered the original construction costs, constant repairs, operation, and enlargement. Toll charges were discontinued that year because of the financial success of the Canal. (Submitted on September 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: 1851 Toll Schedule image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: 1851 Toll Schedule

Marker detail: 1875 view of canal boat in Weighlock, looking west toward Clinton Square image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: 1875 view of canal boat in Weighlock, looking west toward Clinton Square

How Much Does a Canal Boat Weigh? Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019

4. How Much Does a Canal Boat Weigh? Marker (wide view)

Syracuse Weighlock Building across Erie Boulevard to the south
Erie Canal Mule Driver Monument on the left

Syracuse Weighlock Building (now the Erie Canal Museum) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2019

5. Syracuse Weighlock Building (now the Erie Canal Museum)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.