Classics 2

Following on Classics 1, here’s a set captured in the glory days of Kodakchrome as used by Albert Gayer. It looks like fall. Note the freight train in the distance. After studying these photos, I think I know the location, which I’ll share at the end of the post. Tell me if you agree or…

will van dorp

January 31, 2026

1–2 minutes

Blue Line Sagamore, Canal Society of New York, Collection highlights, CSNY, Mohawk River

I’m quite sure Mr. Gayer had permission to shoot from this guard gate vantage point. If I climbed here and shot these today without an arrangement, I’d be arrested. Also, I believe this bridge is no longer intact; at least it’s no longer used for road traffic.

About a year ago, I posted images of this same tugboat and barge here. I believe these photos were taken shortly before those photos from March last year. That’s a clue to my idea of this location. In that post, I included identification of and more information about the tugboat.

The road closest to the right bank is now bike path, I believe.

The remaining photos, I conclude, were taken before the ones at the top of this post.

The gray building on the opposite bank has now been enlarged and is a busy summer spot.

These are all classics: the photos, the canal, the cars, the times.

And my guess for the location is Guard Gate #5, Mohawk to the left and Herkimer to the right. Sagamore is pushing the tank barge east, heading for lock E-18.

Got photos and ideas of classic Canal shots? Get in touch.

Any errors? Please set the record straight.

4 responses to “Classics 2”

Lou Carreras

January 31, 2026 at 9:26 am

Interesting detective work.

Reply
will van dorp

January 31, 2026 at 11:00 am

Thanks, Lou. My first thought was that the photos were from nearer Albany, but the guard gates were the clue. I needed guard gates near a bridge crossing, an interstate, and a railroad. Guard Gate #5 fit those requirements.

Reply
unabashedc3f8a5d033

February 1, 2026 at 12:21 am

Great set of pictures! Yes, this is Herkimer. The train is on the New York Central mainline (tracks are still there today), should be NYC train, although I didn’t notice a date for these photos.

The one photo with dam shows the Herkimer on/off ramp and toll gate for the NYS Thruway. In the main, lead photo, I believe the Thruway bends up Herkimer Hill, one of, if not the steepest climb on the Thruway.

From looking at Google Earth, the East Main Street bridge has been replaced, widened to handle today’s traffic. The through truss highway bridge removed, replaced with a concrete deck bridge. Earth also shows the road/trail along the Canal as the Erie Canalway Trail.

Wish there were cool commercial (freight) tows like this on the Canal today. Nice pics of the Sagamore!

Eric Johnson

Reply
1. will van dorp
  
  February 1, 2026 at 6:23 am
  
  Thx for the comment, Eric. Judging by the road traffic as well as what I know about the photographer–Albert Gayer–these photos were from the late 1950s.
  
  Reply