The Historic Rexford Aqueduct
A feature of the National Historic Landmark - New York State Canal System - The Erie Canal
In 1836, an enlargement program was started on the main Erie Canal system. The canal was straightened a bit, the channel was increased to 7 x 70, and the locks enlarged to 18 x 110. This permitted boats of much greater size on the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego canals.
In order for the canal to compete with the railroad a larger waterway was needed. Work began on a twentieth century canal of grand dimensions with cast concrete structures and electric controls. The Barge Canal
this page online
On January 11, 2017, the New York State Canal System was listed as a National Historic Landmark comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego, and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 450 miles, the waterways link the Atlantic Ocean to the Hudson River, Mohawk River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie. The system is owned and operated by the New York State Canal Coporation, a sub-agency if the New York Power Authority.
Just north of where you stand today, the first English settler, Edward Rexford, purchased 300 acres which became known as Rexford Flats. The first bridge at this location was built in 1804 by William Alexander. In 1825, the first aqueduct (The Upper Mohawk) was constructed west of the Historic Rexford Aqueduct.
The Historic Rexford Aqueduct was built in 1841-1842 as part of the Erie Canal to carry vessels
When the Warren Truss Bridge was built in 1964, the majority of the aqueduct was dismantled, but three of the original fourteen arches were preserved in place to serve as historic reminders of this engineering masterpiece: one at the aqueducts north end, in Rexford, and two in Niskayuna at the south end.
In 1969, the Historic Rexford Aqueduct was documented in the Library of Congress as Historic American Engineering Record #12.
In 2017, a multi-girder four span bridge was built just west of the 1964 Warren Truss Bridge. Construction of the 2017 bridge was careful to avoid and protect the Historic Rexford Aqueduct and the remains of the Erie Canal. One northern pier of the 1964 truss bridge was left in place to shield the remains of the aqueduct from ice jams. The 2017 Bridge Replacement Project also incorporated a roundabout to relieve traffic congestion at the southern end of the bridge. A new multi-use path over the bridge
Erected 2017 by New York State Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 42° 50.957′ N, 73° 53.296′ W. Marker is in Niskayuna, New York, in Schenectady County. It is on New York State Route 146, on the right when traveling north. Just north of the traffic circle on the sidewalk but before the bridge itself. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schenectady NY 12309, 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 North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rexford Aqueduct Ruins (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aqueduct, 1842 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rexford House (approx. half a mile away); Rexford Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Alplaus (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alplaus Kill Preserve (approx. one mile away); Southard House (approx. one mile away); Yates Farm (approx. 1.2 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on January 13, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 5, 6. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 7. submitted on May 5, 2021, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
