19TH CENTURY U.S. CANALS

Massachusetts

 

 

Holyoke Canals

also see South Hadley Canal

A Canal Accident
An 1872 New York Times article about a canal break and the resulting flood damage.
 

A Gazetteer of the State of Massachusetts, Volume 1 – 1890
A brief history of the city and its canals begins on page 381.

 

An Act To Incorporate The Holyoke Water-Power Company – 1859

 

Annual draining of Holyoke's canals reveals rarely seen part of Paper City

Includes a brief history and description of the canal network.


Bird's eye view of Holyoke, Mass. : 1877
A zoomable view of the city, showing the power canals.
 

Bird's eye view of the 1881 city of Holyoke, and village of South Hadley Falls, Mass.
A zoomable view of the city, showing the power canals.
 

Commonwealth of Toil
A brief history of the role of immigrants in building Holyoke and its canals begins on page 61.

 

Digital Commonwealth
Includes historical photos and maps.

 

Digital Public Library of America
Includes links to historical photos.

 

Engineering News-Record - 1889
A description of Holyoke's canal system begins on page 500.

 

Exploring Western Massachusetts
A brief history of the city, including reference to the dam and canal system. Historical photos and links to related sites.
 

Goods for Sale: Products and Advertising in the Massachusetts Industrial Age
A brief history of the community and its industries is on page 169.

 

History of the Holyoke Canals
A brief history.   Includes a map of the canal system.

 

History of Western Massachusetts - 1885
A description and history of the development of the power canals begins on page 74.
 

Holyoke
A historical photo of one of the canals is on page 13.

 

Holyoke Canal System facts for kids


Holyoke Canal Images
Historical and current photos, maps and aerial photos.

 

Holyoke Canal Photos
A set of historical photos.
 

Holyoke Canal Postcards
A set of historical postcards of the canal.

 

Holyoke Canal Postcards
A set of historical postcards of the canals.

 

Holyoke Canal System
A brief history and description of the canal system. Historical map and links to related sites.
 

Holyoke Canal System

A brief history and description.  Current photos.


Holyoke Canals Being Dug 1853
A historical photo of the canal.

 

Holyoke Dam
A brief history and description of the dam providing water for the canal.

 

Holyoke Heritage State Park
A brief history of the city, with reference to the canal system.
 

Holyoke Historical Postcards
A set of historical postcards, including some of the canal system, under "Industry and the Dam".
 

Holyoke, Massachusetts: Stories Carved in Stone
A brief history and description of the canal system begins on page 19.

 

Holyoke Water Power System (1859)
A brief history of the city and description of some of the mechanical equipment utilized to develop water power for the many industries that developed.
 

Map of Holyoke Canal System - 1938


Massachusetts Quilts: Our Common Wealth
A brief history of the city, its canals and industries is on page 131.

 

Photographs of C. Robert Wilhelm
Historical photos of the Holyoke area, including the canal system.
 

Rag Paper Manufacture in the United States, 1801-1900: A History
A history of the city and its paper manufacturing industry begins on page 133.

 

Reasonable Use : The People, the Environment, and the State, New England 1790-1930
A history of Holyoke, its canals and industries begins on page 41.

 

Report of the Chief of Engineers U.S. Army - 1905
A brief description of the dam and former navigation canal begins on page 937.
 

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts – 1884

Views of the canal are on Images 1, 9, 10-15 and 18.


The Water-power, Dam and Canals

A brief history and description of the dam and canal system.


Upper Canal and Skinner Silk Mills
Historical postcard of the canal.
 

Water Power to the People of Holyoke
Abrief history of the water power system.    Historical and current photos.

 

Rev. June, 2023