The erie canals success was part of a canalbuilding boom in new york in the 1820s. Transportation to michigan by water was dangerous, unreliable, and fraught with discomfort. New york has long been a state of big ideas and the kind of cando spirit that turns them into reality. The canal was widened several times after the original construction was completed in 1825. The canal commissioners estimated that the ohio and erie canal would cost approximately 2. Just eight years after construction began, workers completed the canal early and on budget. Jan 01, 2010 there is an erie canal discovery center in lockport, and an erie canal museum in syracuse. Actual construction of the erie canal began on july 4, 1817, in rome, new york.
Niagara canal company incorporated to build a canal between lake ontario and lake erie. Ground broken on ohio and erie canal at licking summit near newark, ohio. Clinton becomes governor and the project is backed by the whole state of new york 1819. Credit for this entrepreneurial attitude is due, in part, to a nationallysignificant treasure. Erie canal 1825 erie canal 1862 barge canal lateral canals show features. Timeline articles and essays home library of congress. War with great britain temporarily halts the planning and construction. The erie canal s success was part of a canal building boom in new york in the 1820s. The state veered the canal from a relatively straight line in holley in 1823 due to the high banks and engineering challenge in dealing with sandy creek. Cleveland became the canal s northern terminus through the efforts of attorney and state representative alfred kelley, who supervised construction of its northern division as acting canal commissioner. Erie canalway national heritage corridor engineering. Proponents of the project gradually wore down opponents.
While some people thought the canal was a good idea, other people were against it. Taking advantage of the mohawk river gap in the appalachian mountains, the erie canal, 363 miles 584 km long, was the first canal in the united states to connect western waterways with the atlantic ocean. The construction of the erie canal, through mountainous terrain and dense rock. Learn more about the canal, including its construction. From buffalo to albany, all trail segments and onroad connections are displayed in bright colors corresponding to trail surface. Construction begins construction begins on the erie canal. The erie canal used to loop about 2,000 feet towards the public square. Their accessibility to the mississippiohio river system via turnpike was the gateway to western settlement. Baltimore and philadelphia were reaping the gains of the westward expansion. A chronology of key events in the life of martin van buren 17821862 from birth to his election to the u. Dewitt clinton takes over the canal project and the state legislature creates a canal commission. Ohio and erie canal encyclopedia of cleveland history. Between 1823 and 1828, several lateral canals opened including the champlain, the oswego and the cayugaseneca. The construction of the erie canal came about for political as well as economic reasons.
The new york geographic alliance asked me to plan a very exciting program for the summer of 2007 called the grand canal experience 2007. New york state legislature declares completion of erie canal enlargement. Project builds on governor cuomos vision for an exciting, redeveloped waterfront. In 1895 a second enlargement program for the erie canal was initiated. February 5, letter from robert fulton to president washington referring to potential canal improvements, including a canal to lake erie. Originally, it ran 363 miles 584 km from the hudson river in albany to lake erie in buffalo. A canal boat goes through lock 2 of the erie canal in waterford, new york, in 2008. Ohio state legislature authorizes construction of ohio and erie canal to open up transportation routes to eastern markets and promote commerce. The erie canal enlargement program was completed in 1862. New york state legislature authorizes a survey of possible canal routes. This article explains how the erie canal was built in the early 19th century. Erie canalway national heritage corridor historical timeline. In 1808, new yorks governor, dewitt clinton, believed that building a canal through the state would create a better way to reach the northwest territory.
Second report of the western inland lock navigation company. It was planned to take a route that would cut the wilderness and allow contact with western new york. Chemung, chenango, crooked lake, oneida lake, and genesee valley canals abandoned, late 1870s. History will assign to gouverneur morris 1 the merit of first suggesting a direct and continuous communication from lake erie to the hudson in 1800 he announced this idea from the shore of the niagara river to a friend in europe, in the following enthusiastic language. Canal notices and alerts signup new york state canals.
The erie canal is a 363mile waterway that connects the great lakes with the. On july 4, 1817, construction of the erie canal began in rome, new york. However, the war also emphasizes the need for a better transportation system. There is an erie canal discovery center in lockport, and an erie canal museum in syracuse. Between 1835 and the turn of the century, this network of canals was enlarged twice to. There were many people who thought the canal was a foolish idea, and it was derided as clintons big ditch or. Construction began on the erie canal on july 4, 1817 in rome, new york.
A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker. T he interactive erie canalway trail map is a powerful tool for planning a trip, tracking your progress while on the trail, or helping you to navigate to trail destinations. Thousands of british, german, and irish immigrants. Completion of erie canal between buffalo and albany. Jul 03, 2017 even after clinton got money for the erie canal, he lacked the basics, including professional engineers and construction materials. The construction of the erie canal was a pivotal moment in american engineering and for new york transportation. The erie canal as a model of how to build big projects again npr. The beginning of the erie canal project can be traced back to the creation of two inland lock.
Facilitating travel to michigan regardless of the prevailing views of michigans land and climate, a more important factor is delaying any largescale movement into michigan in the immediate postwar years was the difficulty in reaching the territory. A timeline of the ohio and erie canal and the life of captain nye. Erie canal, historic waterway of the united states, connecting the great lakes with new york city via the hudson river at albany. An erie canal cruise company, based in herkimer, operates from midmay until midoctober with daily cruises. The erie canal is a canal in new york, united states that is part of the eastwest, crossstate. Many canal contractors were simply wealthy farmers along the canal route, contracted to construct their own tiny portion of the canal. By 1896 lengthened chambers let most erie canal locks pass two boats through in tandem. The canal was a minimum of 40 wide at the water line, 26 at the bottom, and 4 deep, dug by laborers using picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows. Even after clinton got money for the erie canal, he lacked the basics, including professional engineers and construction materials. Locks guard locks junction locks weigh locks aqueducts culverts viaducts basins drydocks widewaters side cuts feeder canals dams waste weirs. The first segment of the canal would proceed east from rome to the hudson river. It is quite important to note that several difficulties, such as natural conflicts, had to be dealt with and faced during the creation.
In 1816, the people of new york city were worried about their economy. Congress recognized the erie canal s significance to our nation by establishing the erie canalway national heritage corridor in 2000. The final decision was to design and build the canal system with united states personnel. Erie canal 1825 erie canal 1862 barge canal lateral canals. The erie canal has been a major focus of my life since 2006. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825. The toll charges not only paid for the construction of the canal but brought in a surplus which covered a substantial portion of the new york state budget. The erie canal caused an explosion of canals, just like the philadelphia and lancaster turnpike caused an explosion of turnpikes. The canal, 363 miles 584 km long, was the first canal in the united states to connect western waterways with the atlantic ocean. The first shovelful was turned in rome, at the present day erie canal village, on july 4th, 1817. Students may create a timeline on poster board or other large paper, or.
Erie canalway national heritage corridor history and. We invited teachers from all across the state to participate in a weeklong geography institute along the erie s path. Legislature approves first enlargement of the canal to a minimum of 70 feet wide and seven feet deep. Erie canal harbor development corporation meets and approves construction management contract for canalside interpretive structures project liro engineers will assist in moving muchanticipated project forward. This brought most canal construction, including that of the erie canal enlargement program, to a halt. Jan 1, 1850 to jan 1, 1900 the new york state engineer and surveyor agency manages the erie canal. An ambitious program to improve the canal began in 1834. Jul 04, 2017 the canal was widened several times after the original construction was completed in 1825. The corridor stretches 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate new york, from buffalo to albany and north along the champlain canal to whitehall. Once derided as clintons folly for the governor who lent his vision and political muscle to the project, the erie canal experienced unparalleled success almost. He and governor morris went to washington to ask for money to help construct the canal, but they were turned down.
Ohio received its initial loan for construction of the canals from bankers and businessmen living along the east coast. Ground was broken for the erie canal 200 years ago. Improvements continued to accommodate larger boats and the use of steam power. He declared that the proposal for the erie canal was a little short of. Built between 1817 and 1825, the original erie canal traversed 363 miles from albany to. Erie canal erie canal, oswego canal and champlain canal. The cruise goes through the history of the canal and also takes passengers through lock 18. The erie canal is a canal in new york, united states that is part of the eastwest, crossstate route of the new york state canal system formerly known as the new york state barge canal. Dewitt clinton had just been elected governor of new york, and his determination to build the canal became legendary. But the adhoc project brought out the best in frontiersmen.
It connects lake erie to the hudson river, and is 363 miles long, 4 feet deep, and 40 feet wide. New york state barge canal system supersedes erie, champlain, oswego, and cayugaseneca canals. Although construction began in new york, the canal was soon extended not only to the atlantic ocean, but also to the great lakes. Reminiscences of surveys of the erie canal in 181617 by william c. It was built to create a navigable water route from new york city and the atlantic ocean to the great lakes. Constructing the erie canal this image shows the canal under construction. We invited teachers from all across the state to participate in a weeklong geography institute along the eries path.
For almost nine years, teams of up to 3,000 workers cut a 40foot wide, fourfoot deep trench through 364 miles of wilderness. It was 40 feet wide and had a path called a towpath for horses and. The construction of the erie canal had begun by the approval of dewitt clinton as he. The erie canal still exists today as the most important link in the new york state barge canal system, which was built between 1909 and 1918. With other, more efficient, means of transportation available, in the twentyfirst century the canal is used primarily for recreational traffic and has been preserved as a place of historic interest. Erie canal 175th anniversary timeline the erie canal. History will assign to gouverneur morris 1 the merit of first suggesting a direct and continuous communication from lake erie to the hudson. Fueled by its erie canal success, new york state builds the oswego, cayugaseneca, chemung, crooked lake, and chenango canals. The plans for building the canal were delayed by the war of 1812. Explain that students get to work with a partner to create a timeline of at least 10 important events with the erie canal. Erie canal, historic waterway of the united states, connecting the great. The cost to move freight along the erie canal was ten dollars per ton, compared to 100 dollars per ton along the road. Governor dewitt clinton poured water from lake erie into the atlantic ocean in new york for the opening of the canal. The erie canal has been the subject of many books, including, recently, peter l.
Built for selfpropelled vessels, it uses canalized rivers, lakes, and landcut sections, minimum depth 12 feet. Historical timeline erie canalway national heritage corridor. Nov 12, 2009 one of the most important canals was built in 1825. This chart shows the change in altitude from hagerstown to lawrenceburg. In 1816, a young selftrained engineer, canvass white, was hired as an assistant to the surveyor. An organized system for land transportation also affected westward expansion. Thank the erie canal for spreading people, ideas and germs.
Jul 03, 2017 a canal boat goes through lock 2 of the erie canal in waterford, new york, in 2008. The whitewater canal was an extraordinary engineering feat. Getting the canal built building such a long canal was a huge undertaking in the early 1800s. One of the most important canals was built in 1825. The canal was originally 40 feet wide, 4 feet deep and could float boats loaded with 30 tons of freight. Dewitt clinton, who in 1815 pushed the idea first proposed by gouverneur morris in 1800 of a waterway to link the hudson river and lake erie, wanted to revive his political career.
Erie canalway national heritage corridor history and culture. The ohio and erie canal, connecting lake erie at cleveland with the ohio river at portsmouth, was constructed by the state of ohio between 182532 to provide cheap transportation and to promote the states economic development. The same legislative bill that approved the erie canal also financed the champlain canal, connecting the hudson river to lake champlain. However, the canal did so much business the cost for its construction was completely recouped within nine years of its opening. Between 1835 and the turn of the century, this network of canals was enlarged twice to accommodate heavier traffic. Young, a rodman on two of the engineering and surveying parties. Then, clinton petitioned the new york state legislature so they could finally build the erie canal. Construction of the erie canal officially began on july 4, 1817 at rome, new york. The erie canal is completed governor dewitt clinton poured water from lake erie into the atlantic ocean in new york for the opening of the canal. After the 363mile canal fully opened in 1825, it would. The erie canal is a destination for tourists from all over the world, and has inspired guidebooks dedicated to exploration of the waterway. The initial construction of the erie canal between 1817 and 1825, and successive campaigns of improvements and enlargements throughout the 19th century, served as a training ground for many of americas most active and productive engineers. Erie canal harbor development corporation meets and.
By signing up for canal notices and alerts, boaters can receive the latest information about canal openingsclosures, water levels, construction and other elements affecting navigation on the erie, champlain, oswego and cayugaseneca canals. The erie canal before 1810 the building of the erie canal, william h. The erie canal, started 200 years ago, transformed a young. The erie canal was constructed in a splendid design. Today the erie canal is supported with an organization known as, new york state canal corporation and the, erie canal way national herritage corridor. The erie canal is the place where the young united states, and its religiosity, ceased looking to the east and the past europe and new england and began looking west and to the future.
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