National Register of Historic Places

Holyoke Canal System

Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Listed
December 3, 1980
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
80000473

About this property

The Holyoke Canal System is a system of power canals in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It is split into three canals based on elevation and distance from the inlet at the Holyoke Dam- the First Level Canal, Second Level Canal, and Third Level Canal. Constructed over a period between 1847 and 1892, the Canal System, along with the Dam, is recognized as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for its use in the development of the Venturi meter by Clemens Herschel, the first means of measuring large-scale flows, and the McCormick-Holyoke Turbine by John B. McCormick, which doubled the efficiency of turbines to more than 80% in its time.

Location

Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts
42.20406, -72.60478

Categories

INDUSTRYCOMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTENGINEERING
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Holyoke City Hall
Industrial
0.2 mi
North High Street Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Listed
0.2 mi
Caledonia Building
Industrial
0.3 mi
North High Street Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
Robert, Clovis, Block
Industrial
0.3 mi

Nearby Battles

Attack on Springfield
1675Colonial
7.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Holyoke Canal System listed on the National Register?

Holyoke Canal System was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1980.

What type of historic resource is Holyoke Canal System?

Holyoke Canal System is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Holyoke Canal System?

The period of significance for Holyoke Canal System is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Holyoke Canal System?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Holyoke Canal System will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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