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The Town of Halfmoon will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal this Saturday with two new historic markers.
“Happy Anniversary to the Champlain Canal on turning 200 this year — and here’s to 200 more terrific years for this historic community resource,” Halfmoon Town Clerk Lynda Bryan said in a statement.
The two markers, which were funded by grants from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a national not-for-profit that supports the celebration of local community history, will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting on Saturday.
Located at the the start of the Champlain Canal Trail Walk, they will underscore the engineering and historical significance of both the canal and the wastewater weir on the Town of Halfmoon and the Capital Region.
“We are delighted to have these markers as a reminder of Halfmoon’s strong connection to the canal and its crucial role in shaping our region’s commerce, communities, and culture,” Bryan said. “We are thrilled and honored that the Pomeroy Foundation chose Halfmoon as a grant recipient for the two historic markers.”
The Champlain Canal, which was opened in 1823 with two locks in Halfmoon, connects the Hudson River to Lake Champlain. In its first year of operation, over 100 boats made the more than 60 mile journey from Waterford to Whitehall.
The wastewater weir was constructed almost 50 years later in 1871 in order to remove excess water and prevent flooding from the canal.
“The Champlain Canal is a vital part of our past and present, and we are proud to celebrate its 200th anniversary with two beautiful commemorative historical markers,” said Halfmoon town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen.
The ceremony will take place at the start of the Champlain Canal Trail Walk in Halfmoon on Saturday at 11 a.m. For more information on the event, contact the Town of Halfmoon Supervisor’s office at (518) 371-7410, ext. 2200.
Categories: -News-, Clifton Park and Halfmoon, History, News, Saratoga County
