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Lockport Completes Phase II of Erie Canal Flight of Five Restoration

posted by David Kinyon at 2020-03-20 21:07:00

Lockport, New York, one of the most iconic locations on the Erie Canal, is adding to its Erie Canal heritage tourism attractions. The Lockport Locks Heritage District is home to the famous Lockport Locks, which feature the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks from the Enlarged Erie Canal era (Locks 67-71) and Erie Barge Canal Locks 34 and 35. The City of Lockport has championed the rehabilitation of the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks, and completed Phase II of this momentous project in September, 2019. (Photo: Lockport Locks, Lockport, NY)


Based on the success of Phase I of the Erie Canal Flight of Five Project, which resulted in the reconstruction of Enlarged Erie Canal Locks 69 and 70 in 2014, Lockport worked with state and federal agencies to obtain funding for the Phase II project, the rehabilitation of Lock 68. Efforts are ongoing to identify funding to reconstruct Locks 67 and 71 which will enable craft to lock through the entire historic locks made of wood and stone.


Located only 20 miles east of Niagara Falls and 25 miles northeast of Buffalo, Lockport’s Locks Heritage District encompasses a one square mile area. In addition to the Lockport Locks, the Locks Heritage District is anchored by the Erie Canal Discovery Center, the Locks District Museum, Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises, the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride and a new tour, the Flight of Five Lock Tenders Tribute Walking Tour. Saturday visitors during June through September are treated to free Locks Demonstrations of the Flight of Five provided by volunteer Lock Tender teams and a delightful Community Farmers Market on Canal Street. (Photo: Erie Canal Discovery Center, Lockport, NY)


The Locks Heritage District is a fully interpreted site. The Locks District Museum is located within the Lockport Locks, and Riley’s Way is a 17-sign self-guided walking tour available year-round, with interpretive signage at both street level and at lock level. In addition, a series of 12 Trailside Signs, located immediately adjacent to the Flight of Five, highlight some of the historic featuresof the mid-19th Century locks. (Photo: Locks District Museum, Lockport, NY)


Access to the Lockport Locks is available by water, highway and trail. Boaters may tie up at Upson Park, located immediately east of the Lockport Locks. Vehicular traffic is signed to the Locks District via NY Route 31 and NY Route 78. The Erie Canalway Trail is routed through the Locks District for bikers and hikers.


Additional information regarding the Erie Canal Flight of Five Project and all of the projects in the Lockport Locks Heritage District may be obtained by visiting www.locksdistrict.com. Go to http://www.Facebook.com/LockportLocksDistrict for frequent updates on the progress of the restoration of the Flight of Five. Visit DiscoverLockport.com to plan your visit to Lockport, and experience all of Lockport’s Erie Canal attractions. (Photo: Phase II Lock 68 Dedication, Lockport, NY)
 
 
Address:         80 Canal Street
                        GPS Coordinates: 43.17066 Lat; -78.69310 Long
                        Mile Post 474.8 on the Erie Canal
 
Submitted by: David Kinyon, Lockport Locks Heritage District Chairman (716-638-1119 or davdkinyonlkpt@gmail.com).

Photos: 
Loclport locks by Dennis Stierer
Erie Canal Discovery Center by Norman Pearson
Locks District Museum by Norman Pearson
Phase II Lock 68 Dedication by Norman Pearson

 

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