Cohoes in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Clinton's Ditch - What Can You See?

— Cohoes Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025

1. Clinton's Ditch - What Can You See? Marker

Inscription.
The State of New York built the original Erie Canal - nicknamed 'Clinton's Ditch' - between 1817 and 1825 to encourage growth in the western part of the state. Nineteen locks were needed to divert the canal around Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River. Portions of Locks 37 and 38 were later used as foundations for two buildings that exemplify Cohoes' historical prominence as an industrial mill town.

In 1853, Harmony Mills built a picker house for processing cotton atop the remains of Lock 38. Five years later, Cohoes utilized Lock 37 as the foundation for its water works pump-house. Today, both buildings remain and lie within the Harmony Mills District, created in 1978, and the Harmony Mills National Historic Landmark District, designated in 1999.

[ Top Left Drawing: ] Clinton's Ditch with Simulated Lock 37 Miter Gate

[ Right Drawing: ] 1835 (CONJECTURAL) Historic American Engineering Record NY-337, Erie Canal (Original) Locks 37 and 38

[ Bottom Drawing: ] Historic American Engineering Record NY-337, Erie Canal (Original) Locks 37 and 38.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 42° 46.948′ N, 73°

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42.404′ W. Marker is in Cohoes, New York, in Albany County. It is on North Mohawk Street 0.1 miles south of School Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is best reached from Harmony Street. No parking is available on Mohawk Street near the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 North Mohawk Street, Cohoes NY 12047, 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 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: Capturing the Power of Water (here, next to this marker); Canvass White - Canal Innovator (here, next to this marker); Cohoes Mastodon (within shouting distance of this marker); Water for Power (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rise of the Harmony Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Col. Robert R. Craner (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Park Named Craner * Cohoes Recalls a Hero (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cpl. Jeannette E. Blair (Brooks) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cohoes.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025

2. Clinton's Ditch - What Can You See? Marker

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025

3. Clinton's Ditch - What Can You See? Marker

Cohoes Heritage Trail Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 3, 2025

4. Cohoes Heritage Trail Map

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 4, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.