The Hub in its Heyday
Weissport Lehigh Canal
— 1829-1942 —
Look around…imagine a planning mill, blacksmith shop and covered dry dock. A boiler house with a steam engine belching smoke. A mule-powered railway for hauling boats out of the water in its heyday. Weissport had storage sheds for metal and lumber. Mules, hundreds of mules, filled nearby stables.
Residents shopped at three general stores. Two coal yards sold the Canal’s most plentiful cargo. Nearby everyone in Weissport depended upon the Canal. And the Canal depended upon the town. More than 8 out of every 10 Canal employees (except for locktenders and boatmen) lived in or near Weissport.
“Weissport though small in size…was about the liveliest place in the Lehigh Valley”
“Dr. Clarence Weiss, 1942”
Erected by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lehigh Canal series list.
Location. 40° 49.889′
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exploring the Corridor (a few steps from this marker); Jacob Weiss Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Allen (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Allen Well (approx. 0.2 miles away); Betty Mullen Brey (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Allen (approx. ¼ mile away); American Maritime Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); War at Home Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weissport.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on May 16, 2019, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.