We Are Not the First Ones Here

We are not the first ones here.
Who will come after us? What will they find here?

You are tracing the footsteps of many who came before you. For thousands of years people have used this river to move from place to place but rocks and rapids made it difficult. By 1823 the original Champlain Canal was constructed so goods could be transported more easily through here to the rest of the world by going north to Canada, south to New York City, or west along the Erie Cana. Today many travelers still follow these water routes for work and adventure.

Imagine what has floated past this place…What is floating past you today?

Canal boats transported goods such as lumber, coal, iron, and ice…and people with ideas. These travelers functioned as the Internet does today, bringing information to the people along the canal. Life in the wilderness was transformed by floating libraries, taverns, showboats, and church boats.

The audio version of this sign was made possible through support from the Common Roots Foundation.

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