As the Philadelphia coal market is saturated…
1828 CE to 1839 CE
After the opening of the canal in 1828, the area of Rondout rapidly transforms from farmland into a thriving maritime village.
The last several miles of the canal, which link coal mines in northeastern Pennsylvania to the Hudson River and markets beyond, follow Rondout Creek to reach the Hudson River.
Irish laborers come to dig the canal and many of them stay to work on it after its completion.
Businessmen establish stores to serve the workers.
Steamboats, sloops, schooners, and barges loaded with passengers and cargo regularly leave the port bound for New York City.
New industries develop, such as brick and cement manufacturing, bluestone shipping, and ice-making.
As canal traffic increases, homes and commercial businesses are built along the slope upward from the Rondout Creek.