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Erie Canal "I've got an old mule and her name is Sal, Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal. She's a good old worker and a good old pal, Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal. "
Before there was an Erie Canal, there were miles and miles of wilderness, swamps, Native Americans, waterfalls, a few settlers. There was no easy way to move people, products and materials or manufactured goods from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. That changed forever when the men began to dig the Erie Canal on July 4, 1817, in Rome, NY. "Clinton's Ditch" was completed in 1825. The project was considered folly by many, but not by New York City Mayor DeWitt
Clinton. Despite nay-sayers, when Clinton became governor of the When it officially opened on October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal was acclaimed as the greatest engineering marvel in the world: 363 miles long, 40 feet wide, 4 feet deep, 18 aqueducts to carry its waters across rivers, and 83 locks to raise and lower boats a total of 568 feet from end to end. At a cost of just over $7 million, the benefits from this new route to the western frontier were both immediate and dramatic. Travel time was cut in half and shipping costs were reduced by 94 percent. The canal also caused the first great westward movement of American settlers, turned Rochester into the country's first boom town, and made New York City the busiest port in the United States.
Between 1835 and 1862, the canal was rebuilt to make it wider (70 feet) and deeper (7 feet) with 72 double locks and minor course changes to increase the speed of traversing it. From 1905 to 1918, an entirely new third canal system was created to accommodate larger barges. Major course changes were made and most of the original, man-made channel was abandoned as rivers that originally had been avoided were "canalized." One hundred years after its creation, the Erie Canal took the shape you see today: an average width of 125 feet, a depth of at least 12 feet and 34 locks. It also became part of the larger New York State Canal System with its four connected canals covering 524 miles. Yet the glory of the very first Erie Canal was never forgotten. Visitors still travel
the waters to recall the richness of history and be calmed by scenes that are still wild
and beautiful. Take a tour boat for a narrated trip and The Erie Canal remains a major attraction to visitors and a beloved treasure of those who live along it. To the north, is Lake Ontario, a freshwater Great Lake known for fabulous fishing, sailing, and beautiful sunsets and beaches. Take a drive along the Seaway Trail - the longest scenic byway in the United States, or head south to the Finger Lakes Region - mysterious lakes, mountains, waterfalls and gorges (also world-renowned vineyards, restaurants and parks.) For more information, check out Parks, Museums and Festivals on this site, or NYS Canals, or call 1-800-4CANAL4. |
Or how about "Low Bridge?" As kids, we all learned the
canal songs, and nearly every adult who cruises the canal, remembers the words. Wayne
County is only one part of New York State that grew because of the 323-mile stretch of
Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. (The entire NYS Canal System is over 500 miles.) 
state in 1817, funds were quickly approved by the legislature, and
construction began. 
leisure meal, or rent a boat so you can take your time - feed the ducks,
watch for blue herons. Stop by a park for a picnic, or some afternoon shopping. Plan your
trip to coincide with one of the many canalside festivals or gear your trip toward the
historical sites and museums.