Chenango Canal in the Oriskany Valley
Norwich Sun, January 8, 1944 Norwich Resident, An ‘Eyewitness’ Tells More of Canal History George W. Parks of 9 Hikok Ave., this city, can add much factual information to the local interest that prevails concerning the subject of the old Chenango canal. Members of the Chenango County Historical Society have in recent meetings made a study of historic facts about the canal. “Speaking of the old Chenango canal,” Mr. Parks said, “in the spring of 1837 m father moved from Rome to Deansville, now Deansboro, New York and started a tin shop. The old canal was then in full blast. I was about 10 years old. The boats would carry about two hundred tons. Between the locks was called a level. “In some of the levels was a basin, built for three reasons: one to turn the boat, one for short levels to have a surplus of water, and the third for unloading freight. There was no machinery in those days for unlading coal. Two or three men would go down in the hold and shovel coal up on the d