Barges and packet boats carried farm products, commercial goods and passengers; as well as innovations, ideas and the social movements that shaped 19th century America. Fugitive slaves used the waterway as an escape route to Canada and hundreds of people had jobs in mills and factories along the canal.
Over the years, the canal was reconstructed, towpaths were abandoned and electronic machinery replaced hand-operated devices on the locks. Today, the Oswego Canal essentially follows the route of the Oswego River and is used primarily for recreational pursuits such as fishing, paddling and pleasure boating. Visit Oswego County, New York and discover where heritage and recreation meet!
The word “Oswego” is derived from a Native American word, “Osh-we-geh,” which means “the pouring out place.” Oswego is home to the oldest freshwater port in North America, established in 1725. Built to connect the Erie Canal to Great Lake Ontario, the Oswego Canal helped boost commerce coming through the port and provide access to the St. Lawrence River trade route.
Over the years, the canal was further developed and enlarged as trade and water traffic grew. Cities and towns along the waterway experienced unprecedented population and economic growth. The Oswego Canal remained commercially successful throughout the turn of the 20th century when railroads and other transportation options with lower operating costs became available.
Social movements and technological innovations were also transported along the canal, perhaps none bigger than the abolition movement. Fugitive slaves made their way along the Oswego Canal looking for safe passage and freedom in Canadian territories. With its close proximity to Canada, the port of Oswego was uniquely positioned to be the last stop on the Underground Railroad for many freedom-seekers.
The most recent expansion of the canal aligned it with the Oswego River, which flows north into Lake Ontario. Opened in 1917, it is 24 miles long with seven locks. Interestingly, there is no Lock 4, as engineers decided mid-construction that it wasn’t needed. From Oneida Lake, the canal passes through Phoenix, Fulton, Minetto and Oswego before merging with the great lake.
While the port of Oswego remains a large international shipping port, the canal itself serves as an economic engine for the tourism industry. It is primarily used for pleasure boating, paddling and fishing. The Oswego River is an excellent source for brown trout, salmon, steelhead, perch, carp, bass, walleye and other species, depending on the season.
In 2014, the entire New York State Canal system, including the Oswego Canal, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Neighbors and visitors are invited to celebrate the canal with colorful events, unique eateries and fascinating historical exhibits and museums – just some of the fun things to do in Upstate New York.
“Lock through” the canal and explore the cities, towns and villages nestled along its banks. Learn about its heritage and revel in its architecture – from a former drawbridge in Phoenix to the sweet smell of chocolate in Fulton. From the industrial beauty of the Minetto Bridge to a 1925 canal boat in Oswego. Discover remnants of original canal locks and nourish your explorer spirit by dining canal-side. Enjoy hometown hospitality all along the Oswego Canal!