Old Erie Canal Lock 62 is tucked just far enough off the beaten path that many do not realize it’s there. Next time you are in Pittsford Plaza, take a look for it right behind Applebees. It is one of the best preserved antiquated locks along the canal system.
Lock 62 Canal Park is a stop along the Pittsford Railroad Loop Trail
The trail is tucked behind the plazas on both sides of Monroe Ave (Pittsford Plaza, Pittsford Colony, Pittsford Square, etc.), connecting across Clover, and continuing along the northeastern side of Monroe to Highland.
The southwestern portion of the loop follows the bed of the 19th century Erie Canal from the Spring House on Monroe Avenue to Lock 62, and the towpath to the current canal.
The Pittsford Railroad Loop Trail is one of many excellent rail-trails around Rochester.
The Original Erie Canal
Lock 62 provides a glimpse into our early canal days. It makes you wonder, “Where was lock 61, or lock 63?”
We know Lock 66 is a neighborhood nestled between Monroe Ave, Goodman St. and I-490 so even without historical maps you can trace where the canal—and eventual subway—connected Lock 62 to the aqueduct over the Genesee River. Take a moment to envision Monroe Ave, I-490 through the Swillburg neighborhood, and Broad Street filled with water.
Stand at 1 Mount Hope Ave; the Old Stone Warehouse is Rochester’s oldest commercial building. The building’s odd shape was dictated by the convergence of 2 waterways—the canal and a feeder channel from the Genesee River. Remember, this is before the Barge Canal was rerouted through Genesee Valley Park. There was also a basin in front of their warehouse for boats waiting to be loaded or traveling east over the aqueduct.
More information
Cost: Free
Located in Pittsford, 10 minutes / 6 miles from Rochester (get directions)
More Information: townofpittsford.org
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Have you visited Erie Canal Lock 62?
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The overflow inlets on the west end of the lock. Excess water coming from the west entered these overflow inlets, and flowed under the central divider of the lock, exiting through the outlet hole seen in the pictures below.