The Erie Canal created
wealth in towns and villages
that connected Albany to
Buffalo New York, a
distance of 360 miles .
First opened in 1825, the
Erie Canal proved a
successful Canal that would
make New York City the
economic engine of the
Empire State
wealth in towns and villages
that connected Albany to
Buffalo New York, a
distance of 360 miles .
First opened in 1825, the
Erie Canal proved a
successful Canal that would
make New York City the
economic engine of the
Empire State
Erie Canal History
In 1825 The Erie Canal Opened a
Water Route Of 365 Miles From
Albany To Buffalo
Water Route Of 365 Miles From
Albany To Buffalo
The Erie Canal Opened the West for
Trade and Travel.
Barges pulled by draft animals on
canal towpaths made the trip in ten
days
Trade and Travel.
Barges pulled by draft animals on
canal towpaths made the trip in ten
days
Remnants of the 1825 Erie Canal, the first of
three versions, offers historic sites and old
towpaths where horses once pulled the boats
three versions, offers historic sites and old
towpaths where horses once pulled the boats
The Erie Canal was first proposed by a flour
merchant near Buffalo. Work had been done idea
for a cross State canal didn't take hold until they
were championed by Governor of New York,
Dewitt Clinton who broke ground for the canal
1817. The Erie Canal was completed in 1825
and made it possible to travel by boat from Lake
Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east.
This engineering marvel was called at times
Clinton's Folly but proved to be a boon to New
York City, making it the financial capitol of the
world.
The Canal once touted as the "Eighth Wonder of
the World" has seen two major rebuilding phases
since the first project. As boats grew larger and
steam power came in, the towpaths along the old
course fell to disuse.
Railroads built track along the canal and then as
that mode of transport gave way to airplanes and
trucking, the flat and wide rail beds became bike
and walking paths.
merchant near Buffalo. Work had been done idea
for a cross State canal didn't take hold until they
were championed by Governor of New York,
Dewitt Clinton who broke ground for the canal
1817. The Erie Canal was completed in 1825
and made it possible to travel by boat from Lake
Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east.
This engineering marvel was called at times
Clinton's Folly but proved to be a boon to New
York City, making it the financial capitol of the
world.
The Canal once touted as the "Eighth Wonder of
the World" has seen two major rebuilding phases
since the first project. As boats grew larger and
steam power came in, the towpaths along the old
course fell to disuse.
Railroads built track along the canal and then as
that mode of transport gave way to airplanes and
trucking, the flat and wide rail beds became bike
and walking paths.
Just as they would have in
1825, Boats tie up in
Fairport (below)for the
night.
Boats of narrow beam with
a shallow draft carried
passengers and livestock
west, grain, ore, and
finished goods east
1825, Boats tie up in
Fairport (below)for the
night.
Boats of narrow beam with
a shallow draft carried
passengers and livestock
west, grain, ore, and
finished goods east
Modern Locks built in 1917
open for the passage of a
boat bound for NY City
open for the passage of a
boat bound for NY City
Erie Canal's tow paths have been paved for
safe biking and walking. The once prosperous
manufacturing towns have attempted to change
and stay vital, now attracting tourism.
safe biking and walking. The once prosperous
manufacturing towns have attempted to change
and stay vital, now attracting tourism.
Erie Canal History
Much of the Canal equipment has been preserved and is 1920s vintage
The modern Erie Barge canal incorporates 35 locks to lift boats 566 feet from
the Hudson River to Lake Erie.
The modern Erie Barge canal incorporates 35 locks to lift boats 566 feet from
the Hudson River to Lake Erie.
Much of the Erie Canal
lock equipment has
been meticulously
preserved and is 1917
vintage, the time of the
last major improvement.
lock equipment has
been meticulously
preserved and is 1917
vintage, the time of the
last major improvement.
The first canal built in 1825 was 40 feet wide and four feet
deep. Boats could carry as much as 30 tons of freight.
deep. Boats could carry as much as 30 tons of freight.
The once prosperous industrial towns along the Erie Canal now host cruise boats and pleasure boats making
the passage between the sea and the Great Lakes.
the passage between the sea and the Great Lakes.
A rail line and trolley once used the old towpath near Schenectady that is now a paved bike and walking trail
The sections of the Erie Canal on the eastern end use the Mohawk River for navigation and to replenish
water in the locks. Long bike and walking trail follow the river near Schenectady.
On the eastern end of the Erie Canal, 23 locks lift boats 363 feet to Lake Oneida.
water in the locks. Long bike and walking trail follow the river near Schenectady.
On the eastern end of the Erie Canal, 23 locks lift boats 363 feet to Lake Oneida.
Old locks from
1825 and
aqueducts
become town
parks and part
of the heritage.
1825 and
aqueducts
become town
parks and part
of the heritage.
Direct current winch motors made in 1903 by general electric in Schenectady, New York still serve.
Remnants of an industrial past have become public parks in some cases, painful reminders in others.
The Erie Canal ends in Tonawanda where it joins the Niagara River not far from Niagara falls
The now abandoned
tow paths have
become bike trails
tow paths have
become bike trails
Erie Canal history was one of success. The Erie Canal Created
prosperous towns and villages that connected Albany to Buffalo
New York,a distance of 360 miles. The Erie Canal's success
would make New York City the wealthy hub of the Empire State.
prosperous towns and villages that connected Albany to Buffalo
New York,a distance of 360 miles. The Erie Canal's success
would make New York City the wealthy hub of the Empire State.
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west end. Check Auto Europe's Flights and Rental vehicles.
Albany at the east end of the Erie canal has air service from Albany International Airport (ALB)
Rental Cars Available
- Auto
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luggage compartment
•Baggage must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total exterior dimensions of the piece (length + width + height). A charge of $30
- $40 (depending on the distance traveled) will be applied to any baggage above the 62-inch limit.
◦Packaging exceptions will only be made for the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles must be packed in wood, canvas or other
substantial container, and securely fastened (Excerpted from Greyhound)
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Erie Canal Bus, Train Travel
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Near the Erie Canal's end in Tonawanda, a 1919 railroad bridge crosses
the canal
the canal
The first canal built in 1825 was abandoned in favor of a deeper and
wider canal
wider canal
Niagara Falls offers biking to
the viewpoints and overlooks
the viewpoints and overlooks
| Erie Canal History |