Down in the Locks

This photo dates from sometime between 1842 and 1916, as those were the start and end date of the operation of this aqueduct. I see no name on the boat, so there’s no clue there. The crowd watching the passage of well-dressed boat passengers suggests this was an event of some import. No draft animals…

will van dorp

May 15, 2025

1–2 minutes

Canal Society of New York, Collection highlights, Erie Canal, Rexford Aqueduct

This photo dates from sometime between 1842 and 1916, as those were the start and end date of the operation of this aqueduct.

I see no name on the boat, so there’s no clue there. The crowd watching the passage of well-dressed boat passengers suggests this was an event of some import. No draft animals towing are depicted.

I can’t tell b y the background which direction the vessel is traveling either, although someone seeing this image might see clues I don’t recognize.

Also, given the monolithic appearance of the aqueduct, I’m wondering whether anyone has seen images of this infrastructure–any aqueduct–being dismantled. It must have been a formidable task.

Any help?

3 responses to “Down in the Locks”

Lee Rust

May 16, 2025 at 3:17 am

That crowded canal boat is westbound in Lock 22 sometime around 1905. This very same photo appears on the excellent Clifton Park NY history site:

https://cpheriecanal.omeka.net/exhibits/show/the-erie-canal-in-saratoga-cou/life-on-the-canals

On another page there’s an almost identical scene from about 1910 where the lock is occupied by a pair of new-fangled powerboats. It seems that the Rexford Aqueduct locks were quite the popular gathering place, so there was often a sizable colllection of onlookers to watch the boats pass through.

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1. tugster
  
  May 16, 2025 at 9:49 am
  
  Thx much, Lee. I’m glad the info is out there. I do think it’s important to match the images with the stories as much as possible.
  
  Reply
deliciouslysuperb9fc9bc8bfd

May 18, 2025 at 2:29 pm

I can tell from the position of the boat that it was up bound, so must likely west bound. I can see a winch line running from the bow of the boat, over the wall and presumably to a winch at the head of the lock. However, I don’t see an aqueduct in any of the pictures. Most of the structures from the enlargement of the Erie canal were simply abandoned when the barge canal went into service. That is why one can still see structures or remains in many places along the canal today. Unfortunately, there is not much else in the background to go on.

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