Centreport Aqueduct
Why it's listed
Centreport Aqueduct is a canal structure west of Weedsport in the Town of Brutus, Cayuga County. Built between 1854 and 1857, it carried the Enlarged Erie Canal over Cold Spring Brook through three 19-foot bays framed by limestone piers and abutments. Quarter-round wing walls and a low limestone dam help direct the stream, and the creek bed keeps its original wooden flooring on heavy timber sleepers. The piers were raised in 1895 during a project to deepen the canal. The aqueduct was part of the canal's first enlargement, which aimed to increase capacity. Canal traffic here ended in 1917, when this section was dewatered and replaced by the Barge Canal system. The wooden trough has since disappeared, but the rock-faced ashlar masonry survives in remarkably good condition. The site, with nearby canal prism and old bridge abutments, is now a park maintained by the Town of Brutus. It was listed for its engineering and transportation importance and its fine stonework.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the aqueduct is an outstanding example of nineteenth-century canal engineering and an important part of the Enlarged Erie Canal. Its limestone piers, abutments, dam and wing walls show fine masonry craftsmanship and an emphasis on durability, and remain extraordinarily well preserved. It also reflects improvements made in 1895 to increase the canal's depth and capacity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00000051, listed February 4, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2462 NY 31, Weedsport |
|---|---|
| County | Cayuga County |
| Listed | February 4, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000051 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1854-1895 |
| Architect / builder | Ogden Edwards, Resident Engineer |
| Architectural style | OTHER: canal aqueduct |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained as the centerpiece of a park developed in 1972 and interpreted as a historic structure by the Town of Brutus; the wooden trough is gone, but the masonry remains in unusually good condition. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 43.04277, -76.57727 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 00000051.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5062694
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.