Minetto in Oswego County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Oswego Canal

Past and Present

Photographed by Mira Earls, September 18, 2026

1. The Oswego Canal Marker

Inscription.
The Oswego River has playedaettlers and early military all used the river as transportation. The Oswego Canal allowed for development of trade and the exploring and settling of our West. The Erie Canal opened in 1825, connecting Albany and Buffalo. The canal bypassed Oswego and Lake Ontario. To further commerce in northern New York and with Canada, construction of the Oswego Canal was started in 1825 and was completed in 1826. The canal depth was 4 feet, modified in 1862 to 7 feet deep. The original Oswego Canal was 14 miles longer, as it started in Syracuse.

In 1903 the canal system was enlarged to become the Barge Canal with a depth of 12 to 23 feet. Flowing north, the Oswego Canal is 24 miles long with seven locks. The canal passes through Phoenix (Lock 01), Fulton (Locks 02 & 03), Minetto (Lock 05), and Oswego ( Locks 06, 07 & 08). The locks raise vessels 118 feet from Three Rivers to Oswego. There is no Lock 04 because of an engineering change.

With the enlargement, the Barge Canal became a major economic corridor for commercial shipping through New York. Large items, unable to be transported by land, could be transported by barges on the canal. The Barge Canal also helped with large scale agricultural development. Recreational boating became dominate for several decades, but the commercial use, including shipping from Canada, has made a recent comeback.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 43° 23.79′ N, 76° 28.299′ W. Marker is in Minetto, New York, in Oswego County. It is on New York State Route 48 just south of Commmunity Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2743 NY-48, Minetto NY 13115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Central New York,

and in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Canal Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle Island Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); Historic Houses (approx. 3.3 miles away); Corporal Harry C. Adriance U.S.M.C.-Oswego, NY (approx. 3.7 miles away); Birthplace Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (approx. 4.1 miles away); Mary E Walker (approx. 4.4 miles away); Richardson - Bates House Museum (approx. 4.4 miles away); Bicentennial Peace Garden (approx. 4.4 miles away).

Also see . . . Oswego Canal (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 23, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?