Sign Up  /  Login

Erie Canal Aqueduct at Camillus LbNA #50000

Owner:Cock o' the Trail
Plant date:Aug 25, 2009
Location:
City:Camillus
County:Onondaga
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: Red Barn Photos
Last found:Oct 26, 2019
Status:FFaOFF
Last edited:Aug 25, 2009
Confirmed in place, July 2013.
(Note the milestone for LbNA: the 50,000th letterbox!)

The Erie Canal, justly famous for its role in the early development of central and western New York State, probably needs no introduction to letterboxers. Begun in 1817, the 350-mile waterway was in use in just a few years, despite the reliance on men and animals for digging the channel and erecting the stone masonry. The project was aided by the gentle topography of the Mohawk Valley and the fairly level plains south of Lake Ontario. This would later be touted by the New York Central Railroad as their "water-level route" from New York City to Chicago. But what took weeks by water in the early 1800's was run by the Central's 20th Century Limited in 16 hours a hundred years later.

The Canal's usefulness very soon led to what is known as The First Enlargement (1835-62). The Canal was deepened to seven feet, with a standard width of 70 feet. The enormity of the work is seen in the necessity for 32 aqueducts, mostly over intersecting rivers and streams, and 72 lift locks. The Nine-mile Creek aqueduct here was originally built by Asa Broadwell, contractor in 1820 and replaced in 1845. The channel has only this summer been rebuilt, with local navigation resuming in August 2009. It is curently the only navigable aqueduct in New York State - of the seven that remain intact. The volunteers involved with the Camillus Erie Canal Park are to be congratulated for their foresight and perseverance in the project.

It should be noted that the original route of the Erie canal was closed in 1917. It was replaced by the New York State Barge Canal, making greater use of natural waterways. The revised routing through Cross and Oneida Lakes bypassed this area and Syracuse itself.
_______________________________

Find your way to Sims Store Museum on the old Erie Canal, located just north of the junction of Devoe and Newport/Canal Roads in the northern outskirts of the village of Camillus. This is the focal point of the Camillus Erie Canal Park (www.eriecanalcamillus.com), and it has a small parking lot for your convenience. The Nine-mile Creek Aqueduct is located one and a quarter miles east - a very pleasant walk down a fine gravel towpath on the north side of the canal. There are several new signs explaining the history and recent restorations of the site. Note that this recreational trail is quite busy at times.

From the east side of the aqueduct walk a hundred steps east to the entry of the new loading dock - and then 70 more steps past. Now turn left (north) and go 20 steps down the bank, where you will notice another smaller sign at the foot of "Clinton's Ditch Lock No. 58". Just beyond on the left there is a large tree, festooned with grape vine. Search nearby it under a small, slanty rock formation for your prize. (Well, yes . . . there may be a few mosquitos and stick-tights to enliven the hunt!)