This summer we hiked several of the Southampton Conservation Areas to follow the old canal. This trestle still stands, the canal crossed the Manhan River via aquaducts. Planning for the canal began in 1821, when New Haven businessmen began to raise capital and investigate a possible canal route from their harbor to central Massachusetts, with extensions to Vermont, Canada and linking to the Erie Canal via the Hudson River. The Northampton-New Haven Canal ran through the town of Southampton, and six locks were located here.

In the early 1800’s, heavy freight was transported by water carriers. Freight was transported up from Connecticut by means of slow flat boats which were pulled along the River. The Howland Family donated land here to be put into conservation, Mr. Howland, who we actually met while out here lives in the original tavern along the canal. Read more about it in our good friend, Bob Madison’s book and on the Southampton Historical website! Rich history lies all throughout this area where the New Haven and Northampton Freight Canal once ran through.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Haven-Northampton-Canal-Greenway/dp/0997950803/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=ER53ZM4CPS6Y&keywords=robert+madison&qid=1667824295&sprefix=robert+madison%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-5

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