Chenango Canal Towpath

Chenango Canal Towpath. . , Welcome to the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail , The 5-mile trail on the summit follows the historic canal through beautiful woods and farm fields. The summit ends where an aqueduct carried boats across Oriskany Creek. A lock can still be seen. The summit’s southern terminus is at one of the seven feeders; Woodman Pond. The trail continues to the old O and W railroad bed through the Village of Hamilton for another 2½ miles. The Chenango Canal is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. The Towpath Trail is a National Recreation Trail., History of Chenango Canal , New York State approved construction to begin in 1834. The Chenango Canal opened in 1837. Originally 97 miles long it connected Binghamton to the Erie Canal in Utica. It was the first canal in America to rely on a system of seven reservoirs to feed the summit (considered an “experiment”). These reservoirs retained 20% of rainfall and replenished water regularly lost through locks and damage. This “experiment” has worked since 1837!, Railroads in Utica and Binghamton provided cheaper and faster shipping which led to the canal’s closure in 1878., 1834 - 1836 , Excavation of 97 miles of Chenango Canal hand-dug by local farmers, Irish and Scottish workers, 1837 , Chenango Canal opens southern tier growth. For 1st time, small villages shipped and received variety of goods., 1862 , 1,000 Civil War soldiers left Norwich on canal boats; only 456 returned in 1865., 1868 , Samuel R. Mott began apple cider vinegar business in Bouckville. Shipped all over world from Chenango Canal., 1878 , NYS closed canal due to decreased revenue and competition with railroad., 1992 , The Chenango Canal Association formed. Established trail on original towpath in Bouckville. Disbanded in 1994., 2001 , Chenango Canal Association revived. Towpath Trail and Cottage Museum opened in Bouckville to display local history. Village of Hamilton connected to Bouckville.