In 1976, Charles Howard Hiester donated his unique private collection of canal memorabilia
to Berks County. Howard was a fourth generation canalman that grew up in his grandfather's
boatyard at the foot of 6th Street in Reading, PA. In 1986, the . . . — — Map (db m211928) HM
The Port of Reading was one of a number of major inland port towns located along the navigable waterways in Pennsylvania. It was at Reading that the Union Canal joined with the Schuylkill Navigation System. The Union Canal extended along the . . . — — Map (db m84491) HM
This canal was operated from 1828-1884. It connected the Schuylkill at Reading with the Susquehanna at Middletown. Remains of tow path can be seen .3 mile southeast of here, along the Tulpehocken Creek. — — Map (db m84506) HM
In use, 1828-1884. It connected the Schuylkill at Reading with the Susquehanna at Middletown. About a mile east, at tip of Fritts Island, are remains of easternmost lock. It passed boats traveling to and from Philadelphia by way of Schuylkill . . . — — Map (db m84489) HM
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
———————
Union Canal Milestone
A gift to honor the . . . — — Map (db m39322) HM
This Division was built, 1826-33; operated until 1901. Here, at old Clark's Ferry Towpath Bridge, the State's great inland canal traffic in iron, coal, and lumber crossed the Susquehanna. Lykens Valley coal trade, by way of Wiconisco Canal, joined . . . — — Map (db m6901) HM
The rise of Harrisburg's importance and distinction as one of the major transportation centers in the eastern United States was launched on March 14, 1827, by the laying of the cornerstone at the eastern end of Walnut Street downtown for the . . . — — Map (db m6831) HM
At Union Deposit, five miles south, can be seen remains of this canal. It connected the Susquehanna at Middletown with the Schuylkill at Reading. Suggested by William Penn, the canal was surveyed in 1762. Completed in 1828; abandoned in 1885. — — Map (db m31298) HM
At Union Deposit, just to the north, can be seen the remains of the canal. It united the Susquehanna at Middletown with the Schuylkill at Reading. Suggested by William Penn, the canal was surveyed 1762, in use by 1828, abandoned in 1885. — — Map (db m7158) HM
The oldest town in Dauphin County; laid out in 1755 by George Fisher, Quaker. It was an important port at the junction of the Pennsylvania and Union Canals in the 19th century. Site of early flour, lumber, and iron industries. — — Map (db m7165) HM
This canal was operated from 1828-1884. It connected the Susquehanna at Middletown with the Schuylkill at Reading, following the Swatara and Tulpehocken Creeks. Much coal and iron ore were transported. Course of canal was just west of old mill race. — — Map (db m7166) HM
After entering the reservoir at the Big Dam in Swatara Gap, the water from Swatara Creek came down the branch canal to the Water Works, 3.7 miles southwest of here. At that point it was raised by water wheels and steam pumps and carried by a feeder . . . — — Map (db m12460) HM
Proposed by William Penn in 1690 to tap the agricultural wealth of the Commonwealth and give access to a second settlement on the Susquehanna River, the Canal was the first ever surveyed in the United States. This was done by David Rittenhouse and . . . — — Map (db m84221) HM
Monument to first canal tunnel in America stands not far up this road. Built in 1823 under this ridge, the tunnel may be reached by a short walk down the hill on either side. The Union Canal was opened in 1827, and operated until 1884. — — Map (db m84216) HM
Designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1970, this tunnel is the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the United States. At the time of its construction it was considered a work almost unknown in this country.
Dug through . . . — — Map (db m84218) HM
Following the Swatara Creek from Pine Grove to main line of the Canal at Water Works was a Feeder Branch. It was in use from 1832-1862. A portion of the Big Dam, a guard lock, and several lift locks remain on the other side of the Swatara. — — Map (db m12465) HM
This canal was in use from 1828-1884. About .3 mile south, at the Tulpehocken, are remains of one of the locks by which boats descended from the summit level north of Lebanon to the Schulkill at Reading. — — Map (db m38760) HM
