Canal Basin. End of Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania Canal system. Work begun here July 4, 1838. Canal formally opened Dec. 5, 1844, by arrival of "R.S. Reed" with Mercer County coal, and "Queen of the West" with passengers. N end of State St., Erie, PA by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Colour: blue Wikimedia: Flickr: [geolocate this address] Google Streetview OpenStreetMap