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Blair County > Hollidaysburg Borough
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Canal Basin Park
The Canal Basin Park opened in April of 2002. The park consists of the Reiser House Visitors Center and Tearoom, the Canal Boat Playpark, Anne Sloan Borland Performing Arts Pavilion and the Sylvia Schraff Amphitheater and walking/bicycle trails. Click here to view the Canal Basin Park Brochure. The Visitors Center includes interactive computer displays.
You may contact a volunteer at the Visitors Center by calling 814 696-4601. (If no answer there, call 814 695-7543.)
Admission is free to the Park and the Visitors Center. The Park is open daily dawn to dusk and the Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and on Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. The Visitors Center is closed on Mondays. After Labor Day, please call ahead to make sure that a volunteer is there to open the Visitors Center. The Visitors Center has seasonal hours and will be closed October through April.
The Anne Sloan Borland Performing Arts Pavilion and the Sylvia Schraff Amphitheater were completed in summer of 2007 at the park to accommodate the community's entertainment needs. To rent this pavilion, please call the Borough Manager's Office at 814 695-7543.
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History of the Hollidaysburg Canal Basin
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During the 19th Century this was a major terminus point for the Pennsylvania Canal. Recently this Hollidaysburg historic site has undergone extensive renovation. Here, visitors can view a replica of the lock mechanisms, and experience life along the canal. You can see historic displays about the Pennsylvania Canal, and stroll along the Greenways or the nearby Lower trail. The National Park Service offers Heritage Hikes through the area. These casual and friendly strolls through the area emphasize the Historical significance of the Pennsylvania Canal and the Borough of Hollidaysburg, PA
Click Here For a Map to the Hollidaysburg Canal Basin
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At this major terminus point for the Allegheny Portage Railroad, cargo was unloaded onto rail cars while loaded section boats were pulled out of the canal; both were then hauled on a series of levels and steam powered incline planes. Two large water basins were located off of Bedford Street and Juniata Street in town. Connecting the basins was a canal lock, where boats proceeded into the upper basin along the Beaverdam Branch of the Juniata River. | |
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At the lower basin, boats were either unloaded onto the Portage Railroad, or the various wharves that were located along the basin. During this time, the section adjacent to the Canal was a typical seaport, with business servicing the Canal worker or traveler. The Pennsylvania Railroad bought the Canal and Portage Railroad in 1856, closing the Railroad but operating the Canal until 1872.
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Map Depicting the Route
of Mainline Canal and Portage Railroad
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