Celebrating A Giant Plumbing Device: Last Night's Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel Centennial Parade
The original Gowanus Canal Celebration to observe the opening of the Flushing Canal was an elaborate affair back in June 21, 1911. Then mayor Mayor Gaynor attended with other dignitaries, speeches were made, businesses along the canal were decorated for the occasion and invited guests went down the canal in adorned vessels. There was also a parade and a young 9-year-old girl was crowned “Miss Gowanus.”
That day, the new flushing Tunnel was ceremoniously put into action to “clean the dirty and the malodorous canal” by pumping fresh water from Buttermilk Channel into the industrial waterway.
