Union Canal's Historical Role in Middletown's Industrial Development
Middletown, Pennsylvania, played a significant role in the transportation of iron products and ore through the Union Canal, which began construction in 1792 and opened in 1828. This canal was crucial for moving heavy loads from Cornwall to either Reading or Middletown, utilizing a system of locks. The canal facilitated the industrialization of the region by providing a reliable means of transporting iron products, which were previously moved by wagons over difficult roads. The canal's route through Lebanon County, passing between today's Guilford and Maple streets, highlights its historical importance in the area's economic development. 
