The Black River Canal was an engineering marvel of the 19th century. Over its 35 miles long it needed 109 locks to lift and lower canal boats. People in the "North Country" were desperate to have a transportation route to connect with the Erie Canal. In the Town(ship) of Western, there are 70 locks, many of which are still visible. The canal bed is literally less than 100 yards from my home.

Most of the goods transported until its closure in 1924 was timber from logging in the Adirondacks. Many people don't remember that much of the Adirondacks were nearly denuded of timber in the 19th century, especially soft wood used in paper making.

The lives and livelihoods of people along the canal is quite different than our experience today. The canal was made obsolete by railroads and the much larger Barge Canal, still in use today. ( )