Description
The town of New Lisbon is on the crest of something big. Before the dawn of the railroad, people looked to alternatives to house back to deliver their goods to the East Coast. Water was a highly important benefactor towards shipping goods long distance and towns close to such waterways found themselves in a unique position to send goods by boats to desiring customers. Being near a canal town meant monuments success for those able to cough up the expensive and physically demanding requirements of the canal. In a thrilling retelling of the history of one of such towns, readers come to understand the complications of building a canal system through the Appalachian Mountains, the desperation and hope of those building them, and the highly connected village life of the people living nearby. Canal Street follows businessmen Hugh McKnight, Edward Gills, and Henry Halcom, as well as their daughters Adelaide McKnight, Gretchen Gills, and Aurora Halcom through the building of the canal and the love lives and friendships of young women in the dawn of a new age for Lisbon. This story connects local history with romance, adventure, mystery, and scandal through a narrative flush with gossip and an open mind.
Introduction
