Funny, sharp, and ever-observant, Chester Lear knew how to spin a tale. Son of the locktender at Lock 6 on the Delaware Canal, his head was filled with stories of his family’s life on the canal, his experiences in downtown Yardley, and the folks he met.

Mr. Lear was interviewed by Annamae Bakun at a Yardley Historical Association meeting in March 1981. He was 86-years-old at the time, so he had a lot to tell. We will be listening to the tape of that meeting and, as a bonus, will be seeing first-hand the three canal boats that he carved and gave to the Association.

These recollections of Yardley in the early to mid-1900’s are just too good to miss.