Clifton Park in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Erie Canal
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 3, 2008
1. Erie Canal Marker - Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve
enlarged in 1842.
Remains of both canals are
evident. Opened from
Albany to Buffalo, 1825.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Notable Places • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 42° 47.561′ N, 73° 47.781′ W. Marker is in Clifton Park, New York, in Saratoga County. It is on Riverview Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clifton Park NY 12065, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Whipple Iron Truss Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Cast Iron Whipple Truss Bridge, 1869 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort's Ferry (approx. 0.4 miles away); Van Vranken Home, 1847 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Van Vranken Farm (approx. 0.8 miles away); Clutes Dry Dock (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Clutes Dry Dock (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clifton Park.
Regarding Erie Canal. The Town of Clifton Park
this page online
From the Erie Canal there are remains of both the 1822 Canal and the later 1842 Enlarged Canal, Clute's Dry Dock, Canal Lock 19, and an 1869 Cast Iron Whipple Truss Bridge.
Canal Remains
There are hiking tails in the preserve that follow the tow paths of both "Clinton's Ditch", dug here in 1822 (4 feet deep and 40 feet wide) and the Enlarged canal dug here in 1842 ( 7 feet deep and 70 feet wide.) When the canal was enlarged several sections were shortened with a result that in those places the old canal and the new canal are side by side. There are a number of places along the towpath trail where there are remains of farmer's bridge abutments and home foundations. After the canal closed in 1917 a lot of these stones where seen as fair game to be used in local buildings, thus most are incomplete.
Whipple Truss Bridge
The main entrance to the Preserve features an 1869 cast iron Whipple Truss Bridge. It was originally erected over the Erie Canal at Fultonville, and is typical of canal bridges that once crossed the canal across New
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 3, 2008
2. Erie Canal Marker
The Erie Canal Marker is near the main entrance to the Vischer Ferry Historic and Nature Preserve. The main entrance to the Preserve features an 1869 cast iron Whipple Truss Bridge, which can be seen in the background of this photo.
Lock 19
Lock 19, a double chamber lock, was constructed in 1842 to replace Lock 32, a single chamber lock built at this site in 1822. The 1825 canal locks were not numbered consecutively from East to West like the enlarged Erie, they started numbering from the begining in Rome. The stonework was quarried in Rotterdam Junction. In 1885 the chamber on the berm side was lengthened. In 1875 an average of 95 boats-a-day entered Lock 19 during the 197 days the canal was open that year.
Clute's Dry Dock
Probably opened about the time the canal opened in 1825, Clute's dry dock was originally run by the Volvyder's family. The dry dock, where boats were built and repaired, was likely enlarged when the canal was in 1842. By 1852 Nicholas J. Clute was running the dry dock. The Clutes had a nearby home and store which they built. There was a sizable community until
Photographed by Google Earth Image
3. The Erie Canal in Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve
The Erie Canal marker states that remains from both the original "Clinton's Ditch", dug here in 1822, and the "Enlarged Canal", dug 20 years later in 1842, are Evident. These remains are well illustrated in the aerial view of this section of the preserve.
Additional keywords. Whipple Bridge
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, September 22, 2012
4. The Erie Canal & Erie Canal Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,937 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on September 22, 2012, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
