#7: Bridge House Brats

Phoenix is the first lock on the Oswego Canal. The locals are quick to say that Phoenix is a village in the town of Schroeppel, pr. "scrapple." We wonder if there's only one town in the world named Schroeppel, just like there's only one Brattleboro. 

But, that's not the only unique thing about Phoenix. There's something pretty neat going on here; the kind of thing you'd wish more communities would do with whatever it is they've got to offer.

A LOT of boaters pass through here, traveling north to Lake Ontario and Canadian waters, ...

 
... or south to the Erie Canal and the multitude of US waterways. 








So, fourteen years ago a bunch of people decided to rally the community's youth to make this a place not to be missed. They created THE BRIDGE HOUSE BRATS.

The Brats are in the hospitality business and their reputation is now widespread. If you are lucky to get a place to tie up at the beautiful dock, you will be offered a free drink.  

Each morning, take a seat on the dock and the Brats will appear with a menu. They'll take your order ...

... call it into a nearby eatery ...

... fetch the fare, and serve you.






 
















The nerve center is The Brat Shack, on the first floor of the original lock building. Kathy is the Mother Brat this morning.

School has just let out for the summer and the operation is in full swing. There are even Brats-in-Training like this brother and sister.

This is a great program for these youth. "They learn to work," says Kathy. The mission is to build the quality of life in the community by serving tourists, increasing business, hosting events, and keeping things clean. In addition to the food serving duties for boaters, the kids run errands, pick up groceries, remove trash, walk dogs, and conduct tours of the Bridge House Museum.

AC is the head tour guide. He's learned his facts about this history of the region. Once the Erie Canal was completed the settlers in this area saw the benefits, 



 
and promoted the creation of the Oswego Canal. It brought hugeprosperity to Phoenix.

A great fire in 1916 destroyed most of the village, including all of the manufacturing and retail businesses. The town never recovered fully and only the retail sector was rebuilt. Phoenix today is a quiet place.

AC says that a full revival would have made this a city the size of Syracuse. It's a good thing it didn't. He likes it just the way it is.

We award Phoenix a Golden Pineapple for this effort. It would be great to see more communities embrace these ideas.