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| Origins Route Sites Operations Boats Stories Credits Epitaph |
Beaver Pond
Sited on a bluff overlooking the flood plain of the Presumpscot River and downtown Westbrook is Beaver Pond. Sitting next to a small cemetery, it is a small pond, probably no more than 2 or 3 acres. It has the distinction of being the only site on the canal that used an existing body of water. The towpath followed the North bank then crossed the pond on a bridge. The remnants of which can be seen still. The prism of the canal on the opposite shore is below the orange tree. It must have taken some work to get the towhorses to go over the bridge, given their distaste of water. With no known drawings or photos of the bridge, we can only guess at its design. There must have been a rail on the left side. There would have been no way to place any rail on the right side, this side needing to be left open to allow the towrope to pass. It is interesting to think that the piers that remain in Beaver Pond must be 150 years or more old. Directions to Beaver Pond |
Canal School
About a half mile from Beaver Pond is the Canal School. A small school, it is situated in the woods behind the Westbrook High School. One drives across the canal bed to enter the school grounds. To the uninformed, the woods along the drive appear normal. A watchful eye reveals more. On the left we can see the towpath, to the right in the photo. The prism of the canal is at center, not easy to see in the photo, but easily seen when you are there. To the right, the canal and towpath have been heavily altered. If you trek a few hundred feet into the woods, you encounter a very well preserved section of the canal. The tow path is easily seen on the left with the slope of the prism at center. This section of the canal can be walked for some distance coming out behind a development off Westbrook Street.
Directions to the Canal School |
