Near Phillipsport in Sullivan County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ending at Rondout

Delaware & Hudson Canal

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2019

1. Ending at Rondout Marker

Inscription. Rondout, located on the Hudson River, was enhanced in 1848 by the additional fourteen acres resulting from the man-made Island Dock, placed in a strategic spot that made the receiving and disbursement of coal much easier. Prior to the creation of Island Dock, many laborers were required to load and unload boats. Coal elevators, powered by steam, were installed, reducing the numbers of jobs but greatly increasing the efficiency of the operation. At the initial use of the elevators, labor problems occurred.

The Rondout Valley, in the 19th Century, had poor sanitation due to the size of the port and large population. These conditions caused a number of medical epidemics such as yellow fever and cholera, and contributed in large measure to the repeated outbreak of other illnesses.

The D&H Canal Company owned several barges with 500 to 600 tons capacity which were loaded on the island from canal boats that had made the long journey from Honesdale with their cargoes of coal.

Erected by Delaware & Hudson Canal Linear Park.

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° 38.009′ N, 74° 27.112′

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W. Marker is near Phillipsport, New York, in Sullivan County. It can be reached from Bova Road 0.1 miles west of U.S. 209, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along the canal trail at the Bova Road Interpretive Center of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Linear Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Phillipsport NY 12769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Hudson Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lock No. 50 (a few steps from this marker); Demise of the Canal (a few steps from this marker); Canal Basin & Sluiceway (within shouting distance of this marker); Locks (within shouting distance of this marker); Dry Docks (within shouting distance of this marker); Waste Weirs (within shouting distance of this marker); Life on the Canal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Sullivan County's Parks (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phillipsport.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Delaware & Hudson Canal

Also see . . . Rondout, New York (Wikipedia). After the opening of the Delaware and Hudson Canal in 1828, the area of Rondout rapidly transformed from farmland into a thriving maritime village. The last several miles of the canal, which linked coal mines in northeastern Pennsylvania to the Hudson River and markets beyond, followed Rondout Creek

Marker detail: Canal barges in the 1890's image. Click for full size.

Collection of the Minisink Valley Historical Society

2. Marker detail: Canal barges in the 1890's

In the 1890's, the cranes and coal elevators brought increased efficiency to the loading and unloading of the canal barges.

to reach the Hudson River. Irish laborers came to dig the canal and many of them stayed to work on it after its completion. Businessmen established stores to serve the workers. Steamboats, sloops, schooners, and barges loaded with passengers and cargo regularly left the port bound for New York City. New industries developed such as brick and cement manufacturing, bluestone shipping, and ice-making. As canal traffic increased, homes and commercial businesses were built along the slope upward from the Rondout Creek. (Submitted on November 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Coal docks on a man-made island in Rondout image. Click for full size.

Collection of the Minisink Valley Historical Society

3. Marker detail: Coal docks on a man-made island in Rondout

Marker detail: Winter brought the shipping of coal on the canal to a complete halt image. Click for full size.

Collection of the Minisink Valley Historical Society

4. Marker detail: Winter brought the shipping of coal on the canal to a complete halt

Here, mounds of snow-covered coal wait until Spring.

Marker detail: Map of the D&H Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Manville B. Wakefield

5. Marker detail: Map of the D&H Canal

From “Coal Boats to Tidewater”, by Manville B. Wakefield.

Ending at Rondout Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2019

6. Ending at Rondout Marker (wide view)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 23, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.