Canal Basin

The boat basin made Port Colden a desirable place to live. It was a hand-dug lake about the size of a football field (one of the largest on the Morris Canal). When it was being built in June 1836, it was advertised that "men could earn from $60 to $70 per month for themselves, boy and horse to dig out the Port Colden Canal Basin."

It was built as a turn around spot and the place where boats were tied up for the winter. On its banks was a boat yard for building, repairing and painting boats to get them ready for the coming spring. There also was a blacksmith shop, a wheelright shop and a brickyard nearby.

The basin was also used for recreation. Children and adults went ice skating on it in the winter. Fast hockey games were often in progress, while bank fires would be burning for skaters to get warm during breaks. In summer, with the water and trees for shade, it was a popular spot to walk, swim and fish.

With the boatyard and activities at the basin, the village of Port Colden was a center of activity for people from Washington and surrounding areas. During 1924 the canal was abandoned and soon after the basin was drained. The present Port Colden School is built on the site of the basin.