A Brief History of the Canal: 1761 to 1999

Manayunk, 1835(?) (showing Goose Island) Nicolino Calyo (American, born Italy, 1799-1884). Watercolor and gouache on paper, 17 x 24 in. (The Schwarz Gallery, Philadelphia Collection LII, Apr. 1993) Click to enlarge

1761	The Pennsylvania Assembly recommends improvements to the Schuylkill River Channel to accommodate up-river traffic. Surveying and random blasting begins.
1791	Money raised for additional work on the proposed Schuylkill Canal System.
1815	Schuylkill Navigation Company formed by Josiah White and others.
1818	On October 18, the Manayunk section of the Schuylkill Canal opens.
1819	John Towers opens first mill to use water power from the Canal.
1823	Entire system officially opens.
1825	First through-traffic from Port Carbon to Philadelphia.
1833	Reading Railroad serves Manayunk for the first time; competes with Canal.
1833-5	Canal enlarged to handle larger boats.
1840-54	Rapid growth and industrialization of Manayunk.
1842	Philadelphia and Reading RR opens, in direct competition with the Canal.
1850	Tremendous floods require complete rebuilding of Canal.
1854	Manayunk and Roxborough annexed by Philadelphia.
1859	Most active and profitable year for the Schuylkill Canal.
1860's	Manayunk emerges as a major world textile center during Civil War.
1860's	Civil War, drought and floods cause decline in Canal usage and profitability.
1869	Catastrophic flood breaks the back of the Schuylkill Navigation Co.
1870	Reading RR rents Canal. Commercial use virtually ceases.
1889	Venice Island spur opened by Reading RR.
1917	Last commercial boats use Manayunk Canal.
1920's	Demise of Manayunk as major textile center; paper mills continue operation.
1940's	Last pleasure boats use Canal.
1945	Schuylkill River Desilting Project destroys Schuylkill Navigation channel.
1972	Tropical Storm Agnes floods Schuylkill River and destroys locktender's house in Shawmont.
1978-9	A new towpath is constucted; Canal is dredged.
1980-90s	Redevelopment rekindles interest in the Canal.
1996	Friends of the Manayunk Canal established by founder Darlene Messina as the local group to protect the integrity of the watershed. Click here for more info.
1999	September 16, Hurricane Floyd floods Venice Island and devastates local businesses for ten days with water.
2004	Founder and President Darlene Messina steps down and passes the role of President on to Nicole Galdieri.