40 45' 08 N
75 36' 00 W
Walnutport is an attractive little canal town located 13 miles north
of Allentown on Route 145. It was formerly a busy site for the passage
of anthracite coal and packet boats traveling to market via the canal.
Walnutport served as a repair center for canal boats. It was a place
to purchase supplies and dock overnight.
The Walnutport Canal Association maintains the original lock tenders
house along the newly restored canal. Although incorporated in 1982,
the Canal Association has been in existence since 1953. The lock tenders
house is the oldest house in the town. The association purchased it
in 1985 and restored it to its original condition. Local residents have
donated furniture and other objects from the period when the canal was
fully operational. The last lock tender to inhabit the house was Mr.
Frank Kelchner. His five children and hired hands all lived in the small
house a challenge by todays standards. The lock tender
received $200 for his work for the season. Schoolboys drove the mules
during their summers and received $25 for their summer labor. Until
1843, canal boats ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April to
December.
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Panorama 1 (Taken at 40 45' 08 N, 75 36' 00 W) (604 K)
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