Allegheny Aqueduct
Also known as: Gibraltar Aqueduct
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Why it's listed
Spanning Allegheny Creek at the western edge of Gibraltar in Robeson Township, Berks County, this stone aqueduct carried Schuylkill Navigation Company canal boats across the stream. Built in 1824 by contractors Samuel Pettitt and Ehner Kimber under engineer Ephraim Beecher, it has five stone arches with a 112-foot span, faced mainly in brownstone with limestone on the towpath wall. The canal opened in July 1824 as part of the Girard Canal, financed by Stephen Girard and linking the coal regions, farmlands and Philadelphia. Coal, wheat, flour and iron passed over the structure, and system-wide shipments peaked in 1859 at 1,700,000 long tons. Repairs in 1827 and 1828 used brick in the vaults, and the canal was later used for a water supply serving the Birdsboro steel works. It is regarded as the only intact aqueduct of its type on the Schuylkill Canal, most others having been demolished or collapsed. The surrounding site remains largely undeveloped.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the aqueduct embodies the evolution of early canal technology and engineering in Pennsylvania and links the canal system to regional economic growth in commerce, agriculture, and coal mining. It is described as the second longest aqueduct in the Schuylkill Canal system when built and as the only intact structure of its type from that system. Its unspoiled setting adds to its rarity.
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 84003105, listed February 23, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 724 and Allegheny Creek, Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | February 23, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003105 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | S. Pettitt and E. Kimber |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Overall in reasonably good condition, with a collapsed section of the central arch vault and deterioration from vegetation; the canal was drained in 1967 for Route 724. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.28607, -75.88656 (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 84003105.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4731277
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.