Downtown Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

Channeling Progress

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2018

1. Channeling Progress Marker

Inscription. In 1830, the area around you was bustling with activity that dramatically changed the landscape of the Blackstone Valley. The Blackstone Canal, across Canal Street from where you stand, was an economic lifeline. The canal linked Providence's seaport to Worcester, Massachusetts, 45 miles north. Horses pulled barges upstream filled with bales of cotton, iron rods, and bushels of oysters. They made the return trip with finished goods like chairs, cloth, iron castings, and hogsheads of cider. Workers used handcarts and wagons to move goods back and forth between the canal and sailing vessels anchored in Providence's deep-water port, about a half mile away.

The two Unions between Worcester and Providence -
the first was as weak as water, the last as strong as iron.
A toast at a meeting between railroad officials, November 11, 1847

After about 20 years, a new technology-railroads-replaced the Blackstone Canal for faster and cheaper transportation of goods and materials.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 41° 49.761′ N, 71° 24.645′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in Downtown Providence. It is on Canal Street (U.S. 44) north of Park Row, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Providence RI 02903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roger Williams National Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Aquene. Eniskeetompowaug. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Prophet of Religious Freedom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Realizing Providence

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2018

2. Channeling Progress Marker

Looking south

(about 300 feet away); A Livelie Experiment (about 400 feet away); A Shelter for Persons Distressed (about 400 feet away); Roger Williams Founded Providence Here in 1636 (about 400 feet away); Site of Roger Williams House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.

Other markers no longer nearby. Gone From Hence (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Changing Nation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Howling Wilderness (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Blackstone Canal at Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. (Submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.