The formation of the Lehigh Canal was directly related to the discovery of anthracite coal in the mountains north of the Lehigh Valley in the late 18th century.  Anthracite coal, or "black gold" as it came to be known, was a very valuable source of fuel.  The mines of Pennsylvania were one of the nations only 3 anthracite regions.

    The coal of the Pennsylvania anthracite region was highly valuable and needed by a national market.  Originally the coal was barged down the Lehigh River, however this was highly unpredictable and unreliable due to rocks, shallows, currents, floods, and the river only allowed for one way traffic downstream.

    The Lehigh River had its limitations as a shipping route.  The coal operators needed a more efficient method of transportation for the coal.  The use of canals for transportation was growing across America, and that was the solution sought by the coal operators.

    Construction began on the Lehigh Canal in 1819 and was completed on 1829.  It went from Mauch Chunk to Easton where it connected with the Delaware Canal.  The canal was 42 miles long, with a tow path running the entire length.  The canal was 60 feet wide and 5 feet deep.  On Monday June 29th the first 10 arks of coal arrived in Easton, with each ark hauling 60 tons of coal.
 

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