To overcome the great elevation of the Niagara Escarpment, the original canal builders constructed a unique flight of 5 double locks, to lower easterly and raise westerly bound boats some sixty feet.
The Erie Canal was constructed in three . . . — — Map (db m189389) HM
Aaron Mossell and his son Charles were local residents who advanced the struggle to integrate Lockport Schools. Open to all regardless of race by 1876. — — Map (db m130675) HM
In 1835 this building was built by Gillette Bacon and sold in 1837 to Dr. George Merchant and again sold in 1861 to Abijah Moss. During the Civil War the home served as a refuge for slaves from the South. During World War I, it was the headquarters . . . — — Map (db m77561) HM
When the Barge Canal opened on May 15, 1918, a large steam tug was chartered by the government to tow state boats on the new canal. The wages were based on a monthly scale for a twelve-hour workday and included board. The Captain received $175 per . . . — — Map (db m187194) HM
This grassy area is the original location of the eastbound five locks from the 1842 widening of the canal that handled boats heading to Albany and New York City. Those locks were removed in 1918 and replaced with the two large locks (#34 and #35) in . . . — — Map (db m178998) HM
To see the comparison table click on the image to the right to enlarge itSidebar on the right
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Was the third President of the United States. In 1808 a delegation from the state of New York . . . — — Map (db m76963) HM
schoolhouse built ca. 1843. Hosted community events, 4-H clubs, polling place for elections. Sold to town 1956 when schools consolidated. — — Map (db m187293) HM
City of Lockport Medal of Honor Recipients Michael Huskey, 1st Class Fireman, Civil War 1864 ———— Frank Joseph Gaffney, Pvt. 108th U.S. Infantry, 27th Division, World War I ———— William F. . . . — — Map (db m79961) WM
Col. W. M. Bond House 1823 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m79962) HM
Crapsey Homestead Est. ca. 1837 by Moses Crapsey. Included apple orchards, dairy and Crapsey's Grove, a picnic ground for hosting area events. — — Map (db m165228) HM
Dedicated to Dudley Donnelly of Lockport. Appointed Colonel of the 28th Regiment, May 18, 1861. Mortally wounded, Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862. — — Map (db m80498) WM
Originally built in 1826 for visionary businessman Lyman A. Spalding, the smaller three-story stone building built on this site became the Norman & Evans Iron Foundry. After the building burned in 1840, it was rebuilt several times and enlarged to . . . — — Map (db m76996) HM
Pvt. Joseph F. O'Hearn, 1890 - 1918, World War I. SSgt. William J. Stamp, 1913 - 1943, World War II. To honor the memory of Pvt. Joseph F. O'Hearn and his nephew SSgt. William J. Stamp who were the first Lockport residents to be killed in World . . . — — Map (db m77036) WM
1884 - 1979. "Mother of 4H" pioneered the 4H movement, for rural youth programs to educate boys and girls in agriculture & home economics. — — Map (db m187189) HM
These cast iron lock gate fittings from 1842 stand as reminders of the location of the five locks that moved boats from Buffalo to points east. Those eastbound locks were removed during the canal enlargement. — — Map (db m179000) HM
House at 8 Berkley Drive circa 1956 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m82729) HM
Site of gates originally constructed in 1858 to control the inflow of water to the Hydraulic Tunnel and used for mechanical power by three manufacturing establishments. The tunnel was closed in 1954, the gate stems were dismantled, and concrete was . . . — — Map (db m105704) HM
On June 6, 1825, General
Lafayette inspected nearly
completed locks, was honored
with a dinner, then boarded
the canal boat "Rochester". — — Map (db m244929) HM
Life aboard the canal barges involved hard work. All members of the family had important roles. The man would be in charge of the animals and manage the entire operation. The wife (and mother) had many chores in addition to caring for the . . . — — Map (db m76893) HM
The northern tier of locks was converted to a spillway in 1919 to help manage the canal's water level as far east as lock 33 near Rochester. Debris naturally floats into Lock 71's forebay, helping to maintain a clear navigation channel for Locks . . . — — Map (db m179002) HM
From the original Erie Canal to the Barge Canal System, crossing the Niagara Escarpment posed immense challenges to canal engineers.
The first Lockport locks were designed by Nathan Roberts, who was in charge of constructing the Erie Canal from . . . — — Map (db m76954) HM
Lock tenders in the 1890's were selected from each of the eight wards in the City of Lockport. Those depicted here were local residents and worked in the same spot where you are standing today. It was difficult, backbreaking work, with very few . . . — — Map (db m187295) HM
After the Erie Canal opened in 1825, Lockport changed from a village of log cabins filled with construction workers into an industrial city. English traveler, Francis Trollope describing Lockport said that "It looks as if the demon of machinery, . . . — — Map (db m77812) HM
The city building began as the Pine Street Customs Mill in 1860. It was later (1884) converted to one of the first water pumping stations in America. In 1893, with a need for a permanent location of the city's government, the building was converted . . . — — Map (db m78359) HM
The Lockport Federal Building is architecturally significant as an outstanding example of early twentieth century public architecture. Built between 1902 and 1904 from a design by James Knox Taylor, supervising architect of the Treasury Department, . . . — — Map (db m77000) HM
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the original locks which opened a connecting waterway between the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. This completion of the Erie Canal was the opening of a door to the settling of the . . . — — Map (db m65659) HM
The City of Lockport wishes to express its appreciation to City Historian William H. Riley (1922-1990) for his dedication, assistance, patience and love for the City of Lockport, New York.
Riley’s Way: a walking tour on the Erie Canal is . . . — — Map (db m76962) HM
In 1903, the people of New York voted to build the Barge Canal System. The new canal, unlike the old, utilized canalized natural water courses as well as artificial channels. The new concrete locks (57 in all) were electrically operated and could . . . — — Map (db m76934) HM
Luther Haven has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior c. 1891 — — Map (db m81570) HM
Niagara County Courthouse has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 by the United States Department of the Interior. — — Map (db m93216) HM
The floor of each of the Flight of Five locks is constructed of old growth wood, a combination of white oak, pine, and hemlock. These high density woods provide an extremely durable base of support for the locks. It is preserved by remaining . . . — — Map (db m178994) HM
In 1864, Dwight Keep constructed this typical canal era stone structure which began as the Benjamin C. Moore Company Mill. Around 1884, the building was converted from a flour mill to one of the first water pumping plants in America. The Holly Water . . . — — Map (db m76994) HM
“The site of the locks at Lockport, from the time of the original canal to the present had never changed. The early engineers found the logical location for locks in this vicinity and the same place has been used ever since. The romance of . . . — — Map (db m76892) HM
Original Niagara Grape Vine ————— Result of crossing Concord by Cassady 1868 ————— First fruited 1872 ————— Erected by N.Y. State Horticultural . . . — — Map (db m82833) HM
Built 1873. Alson known as District 5 & Hickory Corners School. In use until 1956. Became home of town historical society in 1988. — — Map (db m187096) HM
Locktenders guided thousands of boats through the locks every year. They controlled the boat's position partly by dragging the rope over the railings. In time this resulted in deep grooves along the top of the railings. — — Map (db m179001) HM
The "Deep Cut" at Lockport Here, only several miles from Lake Erie, Canal engineers faced a major natural barrier. To tap the water of Lake Erie and keep boats afloat, they knew the canal's channel had to flow downhill from the lake. But the . . . — — Map (db m93026) HM
The first bridge across the canal in Lockport was located a the extreme eastern end of the Big Bridge. It was a narrow log bridge, only wide enough for one way traffic, with a log on either side for guard rails. Called the “Main Street . . . — — Map (db m76955) HM
Erected by Richard C. Bewley in 1929 this structure occupies the site of the Hodge Opera House and Merchant's Gargling Oil buildings which were destroyed by fire in 1928. Stone from the original buildings is visible on the rear of the structure. The . . . — — Map (db m74133) HM
The New York State Barge Canal System is 524 miles long of which 348 miles is within the Erie Barge Canal. Although water depths vary, the depth of the water in the Lockport section is approximately 8 - 12 feet.
The Lockport Locks Nos. 34 and . . . — — Map (db m74517) HM
Different panels appear on opposite sides of the marker The Erie Canal was the most important of America’s inland waterways. It facilitated the opening of the American frontier and provided a route west for tens of thousands of settlers . . . — — Map (db m76895) HM
This dwelling was built by Charles A. and Louise Williams Kandt in 1886 and was occupied by four generations of the Kandt family until 1998 when it was purchased by the Niagara County Historical Society. — — Map (db m81732) HM
Lowertown is in a geographically distinct section of the City of Lockport with such boundaries as the Erie Canal and the Niagara Escarpment.
"A village within a city," Lowertown thrived as Lockport's social, commercial and industrial center . . . — — Map (db m77030) HM
Dr. George W. Merchant, a skilled druggist and businessman, purchased this property in 1833. This then became the first home of Gargling Oil. It was here, after a series of experiments, he brought out a medicine to be used in the treatment of . . . — — Map (db m81785) HM
Throughout the 1970s, the Widmer Wine Company maintained a sign on Lake Avenue, Lockport at the Odd Fellows and Rebecca Home property. This sign gave the history of the Niagara Grape and directed visitors to an old vine on the property which was . . . — — Map (db m187098) HM
Three waterways: Culvert No. 125, the old raceway, and Eighteen Mile Creek, met the canal in this area.
The old raceway entered the canal about 125 feet east of this point and has since been abandoned. It was used to supply the lower level of . . . — — Map (db m74791) HM
A packet boat was upwards of 80 feet long, 9 feet wide at is extreme breadth, with 50 feet of cabin space in the center for passengers. This left 10 feet of space in the prow and 20 feet for the steerage deck. The long but narrow cabin was . . . — — Map (db m76935) HM
The canal ride from Rochester to Lockport was some what of a lark. The Long Level, as it was known, was a 63 mile trip uninterrupted by locks. The approach to Lockport, after all, marked the next to last stop in a long, weary trip across the state. . . . — — Map (db m76894) HM
The Raceway Tunnel was invented by Birdsell Holly. Blasting for the tunnel began in 1858. Construction of the 2,430 foot tunnel took 18 months. The tunnel contains old gates and ruins of buildings from the beginning of the Industrial Age. The cave . . . — — Map (db m76936) HM
The W.H. Upson Coal Company was founded in 1877. In 1902 Charles A. Upson built this stone building for his father, William Henry Upson, as the company’s offices. In 1910 the building weighing 440 tons, was moved westward 32 feet to make room for . . . — — Map (db m77001) HM
Washington Hunt 1811-1867. Served as U.S. Representative 1843-1849. NY State Comptroller 1849 and NY Governor 1850-1852. Buried here. — — Map (db m165055) HM
Welcome to Ida Fritz Park 1908 2001 Historically, Ida Fritz Park is the oldest park in the City of Lockport, created by the NYS Legislature on May 12, 1876. The by-gone fountain was dedicated in 1891. The 7" cannon was presented to Lockport by . . . — — Map (db m93231) HM
