Transportation

The Chemung Canal ran directly through Millport. When it opened in 1833, it brought great prosperity to the village. Stores and taverns opened to serve workers and new hotels provided convenient overnight accommodations. Boatbuilding also became a big industry. Six boatyards in the village produced barges for the canal. Once the railroad line between Elmira and Watkins Glen opened in 1849, however, canal shipments steadily decreased. The canal was officially abandoned in 1878. The Northern Central and the Pennsylvania Railroads provided rail service to the village through the turn of the century and the Watkins Route trolley provided passenger service from 1900 to 1923.