Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct
Why it's listed
Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct is a four-arch stone structure northeast of Camillus, New York, built between 1841 and 1844 to carry the enlarged Erie Canal across Nine Mile Creek. Each arch spans thirty feet, and the whole structure measures 144 feet. It was the largest second-class aqueduct on the enlarged canal. The design is attributed to engineer Frederick C. Mills, and the contract went to builders Denton and Cromwell. The aqueduct replaced a failing two-span structure and made two high-lift locks on the Jordan Level unnecessary, saving distance and repair costs. It remained in service until the old canal route was abandoned in 1918. The masonry is rough pointed stone in ashlar courses, mortared with hydraulic cement, which has helped it survive. The wooden trunk that held the water has disappeared, but the piers, towpath, parapet and curved wingwalls remain. The town of Camillus acquired the aqueduct in 1974 and planned an Erie Canal Park around it.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the largest second-class aqueduct on the enlarged Erie Canal and a well-preserved engineering and transportation landmark. Its completion removed the need for two high-lift locks on the Jordan Level, speeding westward traffic. Its survival is partly credited to hydraulic cement, first developed in the U.S. for Erie Canal masonry.
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 76001256, listed May 17, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Camillus on Thompson Rd., Camillus |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | May 17, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001256 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Attributed to Frederick C. Mills (1804-1850); builders Denton and Cromwell |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Town of Camillus Parks and Recreation Department since 1974 and planned as the focal point of a proposed Erie Canal Park. Masonry is generally sound; the original timber trunk is gone apart from a rotted section at the southeast end. Condition is marked good and unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 43.05894, -76.28561 (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 76001256.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707104
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.