The Susquehanna River is 464
miles (747 km) long and is the longest river on the US East Coast. With
its watershed, it is the 16th-largest river in the United States, and the
longest river in the continental United States without commercial boat traffic
today. In the Canal Era, navigation improvements were made to enhance the river
for barge shipping of bulk goods by water on the Pennsylvania Canal.
History the river
has played an important role throughout American history. In the 18th
century, William Penn’s negotiations with the Lenape led to settlements in the
lands between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers and, in late colonial times, anthracite
coal was transported. During the American Revolution, an expedition came
downriver from its headwaters; the upper portion navigable by damming the
river's source at Lake Otsego, allowing the lake's level to rise and then
destroying the dam and flooding the river for miles downstream.
Bridges Ferries Canals and
Dams prior to the Port Deposit Bridge opening in 1818, the river
formed a barrier between the northern and southern states. The earliest dams
were constructed to support ferry operations in low water. Its many rapids
meant that commercial traffic could only navigate down the river in the high
waters of the spring thaws. Two different canal systems were constructed on the
lower Susquehanna to bypass the rapids. The Port Deposit Canal was completed in
1802, followed by the larger Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal. Later, bridges
replaced ferries, and railroads replaced canals.
200 Bridges
and Two Ferries cross the Susquehanna. Canals are preserved as Historic Parks
Harrisburg,
the Capital of Pennsylvania, was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 3000
BC. Known as Peixtin, the area was an important trading post for Native American
traders, as trails leading from the Delaware to the Ohio Rivers, and from the
Potomac to the Upper Susquehanna intersected there.
Hershey is a year-round, world class travel destination with an amusement park, exclusive resorts and family attractions. Surrounded by some of America’s most productive dairy farms, the world’s first modern chocolate factory and model town is a real community.
City Island is a 63-acre tourism and recreational destination
containing archaeological treasures of the Susquehannocks and Iroquois tribes
which established seasonal settlements here. The island was a stopping
off-point for Union soldiers during the Civil War; they crossed over it by way
of the Camelback Bridge to defend Harrisburg from the threat of invasion by the
Confederate Army. Today, City Island is a tourist and sports venue for the
Harrisburg Senators Baseball Stadium, the City Islanders Soccer Stadium, the
Pride of the Susquehanna, City Island Railroad, and the City Island Stables.
Millersburg Borough nestled along the Susquehanna River, is quaint community radiating out from a Victorian Market Square Park featuring a Gazebo dating back to 1891. Millersburg evolved along with the introduction new forms of transportation; travel back to the 17th century and visit the Wiconisco Canal in MYO Park and a restored 1898 passenger rail station on West Center Street. The National Historic Register's Millersburg Ferry System traces its roots to 1817.
Pride of the Susquehanna River Boat is one of the last
remaining authentic paddle-wheel riverboats in America. Since her construction
and launch in 1988, "The Pride" has carried almost a million
passengers who have enjoyed themed cruises and River School Educational Trips.