Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct
Imagine boats traveling above the river here. After 1848, 50-ton canal boats crossed over the Delaware River at this site. Chief canal engineer Russel F. Lord and civil engineer John A. Roebling designed and built this suspension aqueduct — now a vehicular bridge — to link the Pennsylvania and New York segments of the Delaware & Hudson Canal.
The aqueduct alleviated a 20-year bottleneck on the Delaware River at Lackawaxen. Transporting boats above the river reduced the time required to cross the Delaware, making the D&H Canal more competitive with its rivals: the railroads and other canals.
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The cross section (below) shows a canal boat in the aqueduct. Pulling boats through six feet of water, the mules — and their drivers — crossed the river on elevated towpaths.
This late-19th-century photograph shows the Delaware Aqueduct with the Delaware House in the background.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 41° 28.915′ N, 74° 59.12′ W. Marker is in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Canal Era Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Breaking the Ice (within shouting distance of this marker); Conflicts with Timber Rafts (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Minisink (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roebling’s Cable (about 600 feet away in New York); Delaware & Hudson Canal (about 600 feet away in New York); Life Along the Canal (about 600 feet away in New York); a different marker also named Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct (about 700 feet away in New York). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackawaxen.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
