1823 Entire system officially opens. First through-traffic from Port Carbon to Philadelphia. 1833-5 Canal enlarged to handle larger boats. 1840-54 Rapid growth and industrialization of Manayunk. Philadelphia and Reading RR opens, in direct competition with the Canal.
Tremendous floods require complete rebuilding of Canal.
1854 Manayunk and Roxborough annexed by Philadelphia. Most active and profitable year for the Schuylkill Canal. 1860's Manayunk emerges as a major world textile center during Civil War. 1860's Civil War, drought and floods cause decline in Canal usage and profitability. Reading RR rents Canal.