Group works to designate Gowanus Canal as historic district

The polluted Gowanus Canal might not have the historic prominence of upstate’s Erie Canal, but that isn’t stopping the Gowanus Canal Conservancy from trying to get the canal named as a national historic landmark district, which would help obtain funding for its cleanup. The group says the canal is historically significant because it evolved from a series of creeks to a busy industrial waterway. The proposed district would include the canal, Gowanus pumping station and flushing tunnel, the Carroll Street Bridge and five buildings along the Gowanus.