19TH CENTURY U.S. CANALS

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

Beaver and Erie Canal (Erie Extension)

 

MAPS

Beaver & Erie Canal (Erie Extension) – 1918


GENERAL

1844-73 Erie Extension (Beaver and Erie) Canal Overview and Lock #10

A brief history of the canal.   Current photo and maps.


20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania - 1908
An index of links which make reference to the canal in the document.

 

A Geography of Pennsylvania – 1843
A brief description is on page 153.

 

A Twentieth Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania - 1909
An index of links which make reference to the canal in the document.

 

Annual Report of the State Engineer and Surveyor for the Year 1906
A brief history and description begins on page 1382.  Includes statements of operation of the French Creek and Beaver Canals.

 

Beaver & Erie Canal - Lawrence County PA

A brief history and description of the canal.


Beaver & Erie Division, PA Main Line Canal

A brief history and description of the canal.


Beaver and Erie Canal
A brief description and history of the canal, including the French Creek Feeder and Franklin Line Canals. Includes a map and links to related sites.
 

Beaver and Erie Canal Images
Maps, historical and current photos.

 

Beaver and Erie Canal Was a Great Waterway in Its Day

A newspaper article about the canal's history.


Beaver County Canals, Lock and Dams

Links to a set of articles about the canal.


Building the Beaver and Lake Erie Canal: The politics of public improvements in Pennsylvania, 1783-1845.


Canals for a Nation
The role of the canal in promoting the development of the steel industry in Western Pennsylvania is described on page 78.

 

Census Reports Tenth Census. June 1, 1880, Volume 4
A brief description is on page 759.

 

Chronicling America
A set of historical newspaper articles which make reference to the canal.

 

Congressional Serial Set – 1852
A brief history and description is on page 312.

 

Early American Railroads – 1839
A brief description is on page 544.

 

Erie Extension Canal
Photos of two historical markers, a brief history of the canal and current photos.

 

Erie Extension Canal 

A brief history of the canal.   Maps and current photos.


Erie Extension Canal 

A brief history of the canal.  Current photos


Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker
Photo and text of a marker in Crawford County.  Links to related sites.
 

Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker
Photo and text of a marker in Mercer County. Links to related sites.
 

Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker
Photo and text of a marker in Mercer County.
 

Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker 

Photo and text of a marker in Crawford County.  Links to related sites.


Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker

Photo and text of a marker in Erie County.


Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker

Photo and text of a marker in Crawford County.


Erie Extension Canal Historical Marker

Photo and text of a marker in Erie County.


Erie Extension Canal once connected Lake Erie to the Ohio River 

A newspaper article about the canal.   Map and current photos.


Erie Extension Canal video 


Erie Extension Canal video 


Erie Extension Canal videos 


First Iron Warship Delivered Via Canal
The article begins on page 2 of the American Canal Society newsletter.

 

From Erie to Pittsburgh in 36 hours 

A newspaper article about the canal.   Historical photo.


Greenville Canal Museum
A brief history and description of the canal. Links to a map, historical paintings and current photos.
 

Historic Erie County
A brief history begins on page 10.   Map included.

 

History of the Railroads and Canals of the United States - 1860
A brief description begins on page 555; cost of construction on page 556..

 

Legislative Documents, Comprising the Department and Other Reports Made to the Senate and House of Representatives of Pennsylvania During the Session of 1878, Volume 7
A brief description begins on page 227.

 

Mercer County Unknown: Erie Extension Canal video 


Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive 

A set of historical articles making reference to the canal.


Silas Pratt’s Boom Town
An article begins on page 9 of the American Canal Society newsletter.

 

Summit Township
A history of the township, including a description of the difficulties constructing the canal through the area.
 

Thayer-Thompson House 

Home once owned by the operator of canal boats on the canal.


The Beaver and Lake Erie Canal 

An extensive history of the canal.


The Canal Museum in Greenville Pennsylvania
Includes a current photo of the remains of the only remaining lock on the canal.
 

The Erie Canal-Proposal to Purchase an Extension
A link to a .pdf file of an 1870 article regarding a proposed purchase of the canal.
 

The Erie Extension Canal 

A brief history of the canal.   Map and current photo.


Rev. June, 2025