Troy in Rensselaer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Locking Through

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 14, 2013

1. Locking Through Marker

Inscription. September 1, 1823, was a festive day in Troy, as a parade, music and gun salutes greeted the first two boats to pass through the new State Dam and Sloop Lock on the Hudson. The dam promised expanded trade and fed a hydraulic canal that delivered water to power mills in the city.

Located at the head of navigation on the Hudson, Troy's waterfront was already busy with vessels traveling to and from New York City and other river ports. The pool behind the dam now linked Troy via canal to Lake Champlain and allowed construction of a feeder connecting directly to the Erie Canal, which would soon become the major shipping route to western New York and the Great Lakes.

The State Dam was demolished in 1915 after the federal government began construction of the dam and lock used today. Completed in 1916, the Federal Lock and Dam are 2,000 feet north of the old dam site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1823.

Location. 42° 44.008′ N, 73° 41.438′ W. Marker is in Troy, New York, in Rensselaer County. Marker can be reached from River Street. The Marker is in Troy's Riverfront Park, near the Hudson River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Troy NY 12180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. Uncle Sam Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Great Fire of 1862 (approx. 0.2 miles away); T'was The Night Before Christmas (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of 1819 Fifth Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); W & L E Gurley Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Rescue of Charles Nalle (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to the Collar City! (approx. ¼ mile away); Rensselaer County Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.

Locking Through Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 14, 2013

2. Locking Through Marker Detail

The State Dam and Sloop Lock -
Rensselaer County Historical Society

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 14, 2013

3. Locking Through Marker Detail

The Sloop Lock -
Rensselaer County Historical Society

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 14, 2013

4. Locking Through Marker Detail

Troy waterfront, ca. 1910. -
Rensselaer County Historical Society

This view of Troy, looking to the north, beside the Hudson river, shows a tug boat with two canal boats in tow, headed down river. A close look at the advertising on the buildings shows a wide variety goods; Kimmey's Candy and Ice Cream, Barnum Bros. Co 179 River St. Wood Pulleys, Oils and Lubricants and Boat Supplies, Fogarty's Furniture & Carpets, Stewart Stoves, American Seal Paints, "Go by the Book on Beecham's Pills", Max Grimm Coal and Sewer Pipe with what appears to be hundreds of sewer pipe sections stacked at the river's edge, and good old Quaker Oats.

Locking Through Marker in Troy's Riverfront Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 14, 2013

5. Locking Through Marker in Troy's Riverfront Park

Troy's Riverfront Park was redeveloped between 2011 and 2012.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 13, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.