Western Division-Pennsylvania Canal
Also known as: Conemaugh River Lake; Ligonier Line of Pennsylvania Canal
Why it's listed
A canal segment in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, built parallel to the Conemaugh River above the river level so it would not flood after heavy rain. Construction followed a state act of 1827 that approved the Western Division from Pittsburgh to Blairsville, with an extension to Johnstown approved in 1828. The Ligonier Line was ready for use in December 1830. Excavation was done by hand with pick, shovel, wheelbarrows and black powder, and the lock walls were built of large stones shaped on site. Canal boats carried passengers and freight, and the route was used by travellers including Charles Dickens in 1842. The canal was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1857. Three locks remain visible, and the towpath is now a walking trail.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the canal was a major 19th-century transportation route linking Pittsburgh, Blairsville and Johnstown and that it had notable engineering and transportation significance. It records early traffic, notable passengers and the fact that the canal was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1857. The engineering work, done largely by hand, is presented as part of the canal's importance.
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 74001817, listed September 17, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Torrance, Torrance |
|---|---|
| County | Westmoreland County |
| Listed | September 17, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001817 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Most of the segment remains in its original state, slightly overgrown; the towpath is used as a walking trail. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Coordinates | 40.42518, -79.22962 (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 74001817.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.