Transportation: Canal

Collection Items

• 

  [Installation of Michael Dougherty statue at the Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]

  The sculptor, James Gafgen, is seen wiping off the newly mounted statue. Others unidentified. The statue was dedicated May 12, 2001 following Mass at Saint Mark Church and appropriate graveside ceremonies at his grave behind the church. The artist was from Morrisville.
  
  Mr. Dougherty died at age 86 in 1930. Michael Dougherty was born in 1844 in Ireland and emigrated to the U.S. In 1861 he volunteered for the Union Army in the Civil War. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1897. His diary of his time in the army included detailed accounts of time spent in three prisons and his narrow escape from drowning when a riverboat, returning 2,400 former Union prisoners, exploded and sank. Only 900 survived.

  Tags Bristol Borough, G.A.R., Grundy Mill, Irish Americans, Jefferson Avenue, Michael Dougherty (1844-1930), monuments & memorials, people, unidentified, United States--History--Civil War 1861-1865
• 

  [Part of the Delaware Canal Lagoon Park after its restoration in 1996-1997]

  Park decorated for Easter.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Jefferson Avenue, recreation
• 

  [Photograph of wooden bridge under construction at Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]

  This wooden bridge replaced the original cement bridge that fell into disrepair. Part of the lagoon restoration project during 1996-1997.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Jefferson Avenue, recreation
• 

  [Delaware Canal Lagoon Park Gazebo being restored during the lagoon restoration project from 1996-1997]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Jefferson Avenue, recreation
• 

  [Delaware Canal Lagoon Park Gazebo being restored during the lagoon restoration project from 1996-1997]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Jefferson Avenue, recreation
• 

  [Photograph of wooden bridge under construction at Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]

  This wooden bridge replaced the original cement bridge that fell into disrepair. Part of the lagoon restoration project during 1996-1997.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Jefferson Avenue, people, recreation
• 

  "Grundy Park--Bristol PA."

  Delaware Canal Lagoon Park. It was built about 1920 with a concrete, arched bridge connecting the island in the photograph’s center. To the right is Jefferson Avenue and former Grundy Mill (out of view). In 1997-98, the lagoon was restored, a wooden bridge replaced the deteriorating cement bridge, and landscaping was completed. The photographer would have stood on the railroad embankment adjacent to the lagoon in taking this image. A columned gazebo on the end of the island to the left is not visible and may not have been constructed when the photograph was taken.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Joseph Ridgway Grundy (1863-1961), recreation
• 

  Postcard: "[Senator] Grundy's Park, Bristol, PA."

  Delaware Canal Lagoon Park in Bristol next to the Grundy Mill.
  
  Inscription on back of postcard reads: "Dear Daddy, I'm out in Newportville, Buck [sic] Co., Pa. at Helen's home. Gee, it's beautiful out here. Your lovely letter was rec'vd yesterday. Love, Mary." Addressed to "Mr. James S. Brennan, 424 Locust Ave., Centralia, Penna." Stamped Newportville July 16, 1930.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Grundy Mill, Joseph Ridgway Grundy (1863-1961), postcards, recreation
• 

  "Cochran Lock, Bristol, Pa., Back of Grundy's Tower"

  Delaware Canal Lock #4 and lock keeper’s house that was occupied by the Cochran family, who operated the lock. Canal in active use from 1830-1931.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  [South gate of Delaware Canal Lock #4 and lock keeper's house [Cochran House] that was located approximately behind the current Grundy Tower building (as of 2019)]

  Note sheds for mules that held approximately 40 mules. A large fire around 1920 destroyed the mule sheds. Approximately 20 mules and one baby were found in remnants of fire.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  "Second Lock of Canal, Bristol, PA"

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  [Mill Street parking lot]

  The foot of Pond Street is on the left side of the photograph. The Mill Street parking lot was formerly the basin of the Delaware Canal. In the lower portion of the photograph, is stone in the road representing the original site of Lock #2.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, small business
• 

  [Overflow falls from the canal located just north of Lock # 1]

  This was located behind the theater building originally called the Forrest Theater and later The Grand Theater. The water flowed past the old sewage plant into the Otter Creek Marsh area.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street, snow
• 

  [Otter Creek Marsh, a rare example of a freshwater tidal wetland]

  This preserve has a number of rare plants and home for a variety of fish, animals, and birds. Preservation of the marsh was started in the 1980s. It is located adjacent to the Mill Street parking lot, which had formerly served as the Canal Basin for the Delaware Canal.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street
• 

  [Unloading the boulder which was to be the base for the mule statue at Beaver and Canal Street in front of the Canal Works building]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials
• 

  [Arrival of the 17,000-pound boulder on Canal Street that was to be the base for the “Mule” statue outside the Canal Works building]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials
• 

  [A fiberglass mule statue mounted on a 17,000-pound boulder at the corner of Beaver and Canal Street]

  The mule, purchased by Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation in 2003, was donated for exhibition to Bernard Mazzocchi III, owner of Canal Works. Pictured left to right is Bernard Mazzocchi IV, Bernard Mazzocchi III, Briana Mazzocchi-Lafferty, and Kim Garrison.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people
• 

  [“Reflective Mule” stands on the ground at Beaver and Canal Street next to the boulder upon which it will be permanently placed]

  This is part of the Canal Works property owned by Bernard Mazzocchi III. Mule statue was donated by Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people, unidentified
• 

  [Workers place a boulder at the corner of Beaver and Canal Street to prepare it as a foundation for the “Reflective Mule” statue]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people, unidentified
• 

  [Bernard Mazzocchi III, owner of Canal Works and his son Bernard Mazzocchi IV, stand next to a boulder that is being placed along a fence at his property]

  The boulder is to provide a foundation for a mule statue which represents the hundreds of mules that pulled canal barges between Easton and Bristol (1830-1931) along the Delaware Canal.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people
• 

  [Bernard Mazzocchi III, owner of Canal Works at Canal and Beaver Street, helps direct traffic on Canal Street as a 17000+ pound boulder is unloaded and transported to the corner of Beaver and Canal Street]

  The boulder is the platform for a fiberglass mule statue decorating the corner. The mule project is one of 179 mules in the Delaware Valley that celebrate the Delaware Canal (1820-1931) which transported anthracite coal from Easton, PA to Bristol. The Bristol Cultural and Historic Foundation paid for the mule. An artist from New Hope, PA painted the scene on the mule.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people
• 

  [Bernard Mazzocchi III assists with the unloading of the 17,000+ pound boulder used to hold the fiberglass mule statue in front of Canal Works at Beaver and Canal Street]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people
• 

  [Canal Works]

  The building now called Canal Works was built circa 1877 as a wallpaper factory on Canal Street and Beaver Street next to what once was the Delaware Canal. The building housed several kinds of industry. Bernard Mazzocchi III restored the building and turned it into an office complex.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, industry, small business
• 

  [Painting on the side of Delaware Canal mule statue, sponsored by B.C.H.F.]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation (BCHF), Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials
• 

  [Tillie Van Aken, President of Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation at the “Reflective Mule” statue which was part of a county-wide collection]

  This mule was purchased/sponsored by B.C.H.F. after being on display, it was given to the Canal Works on Beaver and Canal Street to be added to their display.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation (BCHF), Delaware Canal, monuments & memorials, people
• 

  [Mill Street Bridge looking north]

  The second and third locks beyond the tidal lock are in view. The red lock keeper's house is on the right.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, transportation
• 

  "Silver Brook Bridge, Bristol, PA"

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  [Section of Lions Park in Bristol looking at Delaware River]

  This spot is the former location of the Delaware Canal end and coal crane for the canal barges.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Bristol Wharf, Burlington Island, Delaware River, Mill Street, recreation
• 

  [Negative of "New P. R. R. Crossing Canal Bristol PA."]

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, industry, Pennsylvania Railroad, transportation
• 

  [Negative of "L.C & N. Co., Canal Lock No. 4 Bristol PA."]

  The wider water area beyond the lock is the site of Bristol’s elementary school (1999).

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  [Negative of "L.C. & N. Co., Lock No. 1, Bristol, Pa."]

  This is the tidal outlet lock [aka Lock #1] connecting the Delaware Lehigh Canal to the Delaware River. Beyond this lock is the Canal Basin and the Dorrance Mill is visible. Canal operated from 1830 – 1931.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  "Entrance to Lehigh Canal, Bristol, PA."

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, transportation
• 

  "Old Mill and Canal Basin, Bristol, Pa. 1909"

  Canal basin for the Delaware Lehigh Canal exit in Bristol PA. Also shown is Canal Lock #2, the first lock after the Lock #1 tidal lock to the Delaware River. The structure shown was one of the original mills of Bristol started by Samuel Carpenter in 1701 at the foot of Pond Street.
  
  From Martha Capwell-Fox, National Canal Museum: “This is Lock 1. The tide lock was never designated lock 1.”

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, industry
• 

  [Bridge erected over the former Delaware Canal, opened in 2003]

  It had once carried the railroad tracks route between Philadelphia and New York via Bristol until 1911. The bridge was replaced and the original sides were retained, but do not bear weight. Old Route 13 currently passes over the bridge. The red brick structure is the former Grand Theater, which opened in 1928 to replace the much smaller Forest Theater at that location. In 2003, when this photograph was taken, Arnold’s Office Furniture Store was there, later becoming Discover Learn & Grow Early Learning Center.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street, Route 13 (U.S.), small business, transportation
• 

  [Bridge erected over the former Delaware Canal, opened in 2003]

  It had once carried the railroad tracks route between Philadelphia and New York via Bristol until 1911. The bridge was replaced and the original sides were retained but do not bear weight. Old Route 13 currently passes over the bridge.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Otter Street, Route 13 (U.S.), transportation
• 

  [Bridge erected over the former Delaware Canal, opened in 2003]

  It had once carried the railroad tracks route between Philadelphia and New York via Bristol until 1911. The bridge was replaced and the original sides were retained, but do not bear weight. Old Route 13 currently passes over the bridge. The red brick structure is the former Grand Theater, which opened in 1928 to replace the much smaller Forest Theater at that location. In 2003, when this photograph was taken, Arnold’s Office Furniture Store was there, later becoming Discover Learn & Grow Early Learning Center.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street, Route 13 (U.S.), small business, transportation
• 

  [Bridge erected over the former Delaware Canal, opened in 2003]

  It had once carried the railroad tracks route between Philadelphia and New York via Bristol until 1911. The bridge was replaced and the original sides were retained, but do not bear weight. Old Route 13 currently passes over the bridge. The red brick structure is the former Grand Theater, which opened in 1928 to replace the much smaller Forest Theater at that location. In 2003, when this photograph was taken, Arnold’s Office Furniture Store was there, later becoming Discover Learn & Grow Early Learning Center.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street, Route 13 (U.S.), small business, transportation
• 

  [Bridge erected over the former Delaware Canal, opened in 2003]

  It had once carried the railroad tracks route between Philadelphia and New York via Bristol until 1911. The bridge was replaced and the original sides were retained, but do not bear weight. Old Route 13 currently passes over the bridge. The red brick structure is the former Grand Theater, which opened in 1928 to replace the much smaller Forest Theater at that location. In 2003, when this photograph was taken, Arnold’s Office Furniture Store was there, later becoming Discover Learn & Grow Early Learning Center.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware Canal, Mill Street, Otter Street, Route 13 (U.S.), small business, transportation
• 

  [Believed to be the Delaware River along the northern part of Bucks County]

  Tags Delaware River
• 

  [Landreth Shore]

  Delaware River shoreline along North Radcliffe Street at the Landreth Seed Farm property above Green Lane.
  
  Man unidentified.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Delaware River, Landreth family, people, Radcliffe Street, unidentified
• 

  "Columbia Paddle Boat and Ferry Boat Docked at Mill Street Wharf, Bristol, PA"

  The steam river boat “Columbia” at the Bristol Wharf. The boat was built in 1876 for Captain Jonathan Cone who lived in Bristol. These boats traveled from Trenton to Philadelphia with stops at Bordentown, NJ, Bristol, PA, and Burlington, NJ. River travel was less expensive than railroad. In the summer the boats would stop at Burlington Island’s theme park “Island Beach” until most of it burned down in 1934.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Bristol Wharf, Delaware River, Mill Street, transportation
• 

  [The Mill Street Wharf at Bristol, the primary Delaware River wharf in town]

  It was this location where Samuel Clift came to Bristol in 1681 to establish the town, as well as the first landing for ferry services from Burlington, NJ. Small waiting room/ticket office was attached to the side of the wharf.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Bristol Wharf, Delaware River, industry, Mill Street, transportation
• 

  "Pride of upper Delaware at Burlington, N. J."

  The steam river boat “Columbia” at the Burlington, NJ wharf. Boat was built in 1876 for Captain Jonathan Cone who lived in Bristol. These boats traveled from Trenton to Philadelphia with stops at Bordentown, NJ, Bristol, PA, and Burlington, NJ. River travel was less expensive than railroad. In the summer, the boats would stop at Burlington Island’s theme park “Island Beach” until most of it burned down in 1934.

  Tags Burlington City (N.J.), Delaware River, transportation
• 

  [Vidette steamboat, believed to be on the Delaware River]

  Tags Delaware River, transportation
• 

  [Steamboats tied up at Burlington Island amusement park, “Island Beach”, opposite of Bristol]

  “City of Chester” was a Wilson Line boat operated from Philadelphia. Next to the “City of Chester” is the “William Penn” and another Wilson line boat, “Brandywine”. An elaborate amusement park operated between 1917 and 1928 when fire destroyed much of the park. Another fire in 1934 finished the operation completely.

  Tags Burlington Island, Delaware River, recreation, transportation
• 

  [Tugboat pushing barge along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]

  This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Burlington Island, Delaware River, industry, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, transportation
• 

  [Tugboat pushing barge along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]

  This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Burlington Island, Delaware River, industry, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, transportation
• 

  [Tugboat pushing barge along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]

  This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Burlington Island, Delaware River, industry, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, transportation
• 

  [Tugboat pushing barge along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]

  This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Burlington Island, Delaware River, industry, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, transportation
• 

  [Tugboat along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]

  This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.

  Tags Bristol Borough, Burlington Island, Delaware River, industry, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, transportation

• Bristol History Photograph Collection
  • Transportation: Canal