September 17, 2024 We explore the final NYS canal Cayuga-Seneca

Tuesday Sept 17, 2024 Newark to Seneca Falls 33 miles and 6.5 hours

The NY State Canal system is composed of 4 canals. The Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Champlain Canal and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. We've now done the first three (some twice) and decided we might as well close out this trip by traveling all 4. So opted to make Seneca Falls our next destination which is down the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Needed an early start as the trip required going through a full 7 locks. Locks 28B, 28A, 27, 26 and 25 on the Erie. Then locks 1, 2 and 3 on the Cayuga-Seneca.

Entering Locks 2 and 3 on the Cayuga Seneca Canal.
Taking us up 49' to Seneca Falls

For the most part a pleasant travel day. Locks were generally easy. All the Erie locks were simple drops which always go smoother than a lift - no turbulence from filling, just a gentle lowering. Also helped the lockmasters were communicating our progress to each other. Must have been a slow day for them as most were waiting for us with gates open. The Cayuga Seneca is fairly short lengthwise. And not the most enjoyable from our standpoint. Started off by using the western cutoff heading onto the canal. Shallow water dropping to less than 2' under the keel. Then a mile of super slow going through really swampy water with a shoreline of houses built on flatlands barely above the water level. The water itself was a bit too "green" for me - lots of weeds, algae and filmy surfaces. We finally made it to Seneca Falls and got tied up to their free dock right aside the Welcome Center. Couple of other boats there. Good facilities - all free.

Pushing through the water on the Cayuga-Seneca canal

First order of business - Farmers Market. Found out the town's market was held a block away on Tuesdays from 12-4 pm, so less than an hour until it was over. Certainly not up to the Fairport standard but they did have a few vendors with produce and a nice selection of Mennonite baked goods. Finished the day with a walk around the Womens Rights Park then over to Parkers Pub for some very tasty smoked wings and a happy hour priced beer. Unfortunately, Fall Street Brewing (the only brewery in town) was temporarily closed as they're in the process of moving across the street into a new bigger venue. Good for them - bad for me.

Some of downtown Seneca Falls. Canal runs behind all these buildings

Fair amount to do here so spent a second day. Did a walking self-tour of historic homes. Pamphlet was a bit confusing, but they did a nice job outlining the various architectural styles and dates of the buildings. The grandeur of some of these houses attests to the wealth that was once here. Also interesting that such a diverse range of architectural styles - from simple to very elaborate - were so popular in a relatively short time period.

Federal

Italianate

Gothic

Tudor

Two Second Empire style houses side by side

This was the carriage house for one of those houses

Followed that up with a tour of "It's a Wonderful Life" Museum. Seneca Falls touts itself as inspiring the town of Bedford Falls in the movie. Frank Capra visited the area during the writing of the script and appears to have incorporated some local lore into the movie. In particular the use of names of surrounding towns, prominent local family names and the use of the famous bridge scene where Clarence jumps in the river followed by Jimmy Stewart to rescue him. The bridge in town has a plaque honoring Antonio Varacalli who in 1917 jumped off the bridge to rescue a woman who had attempted suicide. He was able to save her but ultimately drowned himself. The town citizens placed a plaque on the bridge honoring him that is still there today which states "Gave his life to save another".

"It's a Wonderful Life" Museum housed in old man Potters Bank Building??

Plaque on Bridge honoring Antonia Varacalli

Signs on road leading to bridge show Clarence St on one end
and Bedford Falls Blvd. on the other side

The town museum is housed in the welcome center building. Does a nice job explaining how the town and industry grew around the falls but also was impacted by the construction of the expanded canal and introduction of the railroads. A dam had to be built to allow for the 50' lock drop. An area of town known as the flatlands, which contained many working-class houses and several industries, was flooded creating a lake. Like many canal towns, Seneca Falls had a thriving industrial base making everything from fire engines, to pumps, to foundry items, to textile knitting. Interesting fact on the knitting mill. Dating back to pre-civil war times, they only knitted wool. Owner refused to knit cotton as it was dependent on slavery.

The old knitting mill now houses the National Womens Hall of Fame

Town is well known for the founding of the Womens Rights Movement but was also heavy into abolitionist and temperance movements. Very progressive prominent citizens for the times. Tourism seems to be the primary push now. Finished the day with a walk on the sculpture trail which runs along the opposite canal bank.