Blackstone Canal, Massachusetts

From 1828-1848, the Blackstone Canal linked central Massachusetts to the ocean via Providence, Rhode Island, stimulating industrial growth along its path. The river and canal system are now being converted into something called the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, with bike paths and interpretive stations developing along its 45 mile route, but the legacy of industrialization has left a substantial amount of contamination along the canal. Remediation efforts are ongoing. There is a visitor center for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor near its upstream origin in Worcester.