An Introduction to the Chenango Canal



                             Map of Chenango Canal by Barry K. Beyer


Replica of scene in Hamilton in canal days by Lee Brown Coye, displayed at Hamilton Public Library.  A boat loaded with coal is seen passing beneath the bridge. Below is old photograph on which model is based.


        This view is looking west on Lebanon Street in the days of the canal.
                       
                   By Richard F. Palmer
    Numerous publications have been written over the years on the Chenango Canal that existed for 39 years between 1837 and 1876. In 97 miles it connected Utica and Binghamton, passing through Hamilton and Norwich, the largest communities on the route, as well as the villages of Oxford and Greene. This is a potpourri of collection of normally difficult to find articles resulting from years of research. 
    The following is from: Page 60, Historical and Statistical Gazetteer of New York State by J.H. French. Published by H. Pearsall Smith, Syracuse, N.Y. 1860.(Table on Page 61).
    This canal is supplied by Chenango River and 6 reservoirs, viz: Madison Brook, Woodmans Pond, Leland Pond, Bradley’s Brook, Hatch’s Lake and Eaton Brook Reservoirs - all of which are in the south part of Madison county. The canal extends across and up the valley or Oriskany Creek  to the summit level, and down the valley of the Chenango River. It was begun in 1833 and finished in 1837, at a cost of $1,737,703. 
    From Utica to the summit it rises 706 feet by 76 locks, and from thence it descends 303 feet by 38 locks to the Susquehanna. Of its 114 locks, 2 are stone and the remainder composite. Upon the feeders are 12 road and 18 farm bridges.




                                              Historical Marker in Hamilton
 

                        
Mural by David Grace on building at corner of Lebanon and Maple streets depicts a packet boat passing by the Hamilton Canal Exchange building. The canal passed through Hamilton between Maple and Broad streets.



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History of the Chenango Canal in Binghamton

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