Bristol in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Canal Office
1832 - 1931
“A quiet little village at the southern end of the canal suddenly awakened to find itself a teaming river port swarming with canal boats, boatmen, mules, and river and coastal boats of all sorts.”
C.P. Yoder
Delaware Canal Journal
Bristol Booms
The Canal turned Bristol into a boomtown. The Canal Office that once stood approximately in the location of the brick pavers (on which this sign rests) took care of company business - primarily collecting freight charges. Stores provided food and supplies to the boatmen, and stables housed mules. Blacksmiths shoed the mules and tavern keepers helped the boatmen wash down the dust of the towpath. A Pinkerton detective described Canal Boat Captains as a “bad lot” who “would not hesitate long about throwing a man into the canal.”
Today
Old photos indicate that the office and Tide Lock area was planted with shade trees, probably sycamores. The surrounding areas, the basins, pier and marsh, were void of any overhead tree canopy. Other outbuildings were located in the vicinity of the office and are visible in the aerial map. The brick pavers indicate the location where the Canal office once stood.
Erected by Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Canal (AKA Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal) series list.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 5.631′ N, 74° 51.481′ W. Marker was in Bristol, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. Marker is located in Basin Park, near the confluence of Otter Creek and the Delaware River, about 500 feet WSW of the intersection of Mill and Radcliffe Streets. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bristol PA 19007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. In the Basin (here, next to this marker); Fueling the Economy (here, next to this marker); Working with the Tide (here, next to this marker); Marsh Ecology in an Urban Setting (within shouting distance of this marker); Where the Canal Met the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriet Ross Tubman (within shouting distance of this marker); Tidal Delaware Water Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Puerto Rican Monument of Bristol (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. History of Bristol Borough. (Submitted on May 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Delaware Canal State Park Field Guide. (Submitted on May 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,048 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.