The Weighlock Building

This Greek-revival building was one of several weigh stations along the Canal used to levy tolls for barges carrying merchandise and farm goods. Until 1850 freight cargoes were measured by the displacement theory, but this hydraulic type worked with scales rather than displacement. After a boat entered the lock and came to rest on a wooden cradle, rods transferred the weight along a series of levers to the beam of the scales inside the building. The Weigh Master moved a center balancing weight along the beam to determine the weight of the loaded boat. The weighlock was no longer needed in the late 1800's because the State abolished tolls in order to compete with the railroads.

Colonie, New York · United States