Erie Canal, the Greatest Accomplishment of the Men and Women of New York State
By John R. Groves

It’s April 15, 1817 and the Council of Revision has an important decision to make. A few years earlier, during the War of 1812, the British tried to regain the colonies it lost during the American Revolution of 1776. Fresh in the minds of federal politicians were the attempted sack of Washington and the subsequent burning of the White House.

Council of Revision was a body of New York government that reviewed bills passed and had the power of veto. The council consisted of five chancellors who voted on a bills fate. The canal bill was deadlocked, two for and two against. The deciding vote was held by Chancellor Kent.

Chancellor Kent hated war. He was opposed to the notion that state money be apportioned to a war that was only speculative. Chancellor Kent was not swayed or particularly impressed with the threat of war.

"Gentlemen," said Chancellor Kent, "if we must choose between the canal and war, I am in favor of the canal!" In a single vote the most important legislation in the history of New York was passed!

Natures Role in the Canal

This story actually starts tens of thousands of years ago. It starts with the glaciers that passed over our state. During the last glacier the state was literally prepared for the canals passage.

As the huge ice fields receded they accomplished two major tasks. First they planned out lowlands bordering the south shore of Lake Ontario. This lowland region extends from Lake Eire east to the Appalachian Mountains.

Second, tremendous amounts of melt water from the west were channeled through the Appalachian Mountains at a place now called Little Falls. This created melt channel happens to be the only break in a vast chain of the Appalachians that stretches from Quebec to Georgia. Through a geologic process, a natural corridor was created from the Hudson Valley to Lake Erie.

First Thoughts for a Canal

Early explorers traveled up the Hudson River and discovered the Mohawk River. This River traveled from east to west and provided an early form of water transportation. Boats navigated the river bit were limited to size because of the rivers rapids and falls. Visionaries imagined as early as the late 1600’s navigational improvements but were largely ignored. Even George Washington, around 1750, while surveying the region thought a canal was possible.

Transportation in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s was abysmal. There were no all weather roads and those wishing to transport goods and raw materials were severely limited by wagons and relatively small boats. This hardship concentrated our countries population centers along the eastern coast and effectively opposed any serious development of the vast lands west.

There must be a way! There must be a way to move goods, raw materials and people to populate our vast western frontier. If this continues to be difficult or impossible, manifest destiny was only a wild dream.

In New York (ca. 1807) a man was running from debt. His business was ruined by the high cost of transporting manufactured goods. He and his partner fled New York to Pennsylvania, to escape imprisonment. Jesse Hawley, being a man of great integrity, returned to New York and was sent to the Canandaigua Debtors Prison. While imprisoned he wrote a number of essays about the notion that a canal could be dug from Albany to Lake Erie. These articles, under the pen name of Hercules, influenced many New Yorkers. Especially those engaged in manufacturing, shipping and DeWitt Clinton, then Mayor of New York City.

A Man of Vision

DeWitt Clinton was strongly influenced by the concept of having a canal transverse the state and by doing so open a vast western frontier. He envisioned tremendous growth in industry, agriculture and ultimately the growth of New York City into a world-class seaport. He based his complete campaign for governor on the benefits of a canal. DeWitt Clinton won the election with the biggest margin in New York history.

The Greatest Public Works Project of its Time Begins

On July 4, 1817 at Rome New York the canal began. There was a fantastic celebration where the first shovel of dirt was dug and the canal began. The excitement was so great witnesses later said, "…that men were grabbing shovels and digging, as if the canal could be completed in a single day…!".

The first Erie Canal, there were at least three enlargements, traveled from Albany to a place called Black Rock, near present day Buffalo. Men who had little or no knowledge of civil engineering designed much of the canal. The workers who dug the canal came from many walks of life. Some from Europe worked on the canal to accumulate enough money to start lives of their own in a free nation. 363 miles were completed through virgin forests, over raging rivers and vast valleys. When completed it was often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World, not a trivial idea at that time.

Opening of the Canal

The Erie Canal was completed eight years later in the fall of 1825. Even before completion the canal was a great success. Already over $1,000,000 in tolls had been collected!

The celebration called the Wedding of the Waters was to be symbolic of the impact this canal would have on New York State, the nation and the world. Water from all parts of the world were collected, artifacts symbolizing early America and many dignitaries traveled east starting on October 26, 1825 along the path of the new canal.

When the mules set off east a cannon was fired. All along the new canal cannons were placed in earshot, so that when one was heard the next was fired. This relay continued all the way to New York City, officially announcing that the Erie Canal was open and dignitaries were on their way.

When DeWitt Clinton arrived at New York City the final ceremony was completed. He poured into New York Harbor, near Sandy Hook, the waters collected from the world as a symbolic Marriage of the Waters. The inner seas of the Midwest (The Great Lakes) now were directly connected to all the ports of the world. The greatest public works project of its time was now completed.

Success Breeds Success

In less than ten years the entire project was paid for through tolls. The traffic on the canal was so congested that plans were being made for improvements. These included greater boat capacities, less locks and a shorter canal by removing many loops. The First Enlargement took place over many years, from about 1825 until the turn of the twentieth century. Much had been done, the canal was deepened to seven feet and the channel widened. Near the end of this period locks were lengthened and doubled. The canal literally developed upstate New York, provided a means for many to immigrate to the western frontier and in the end made New York the Empire State.

Dark Clouds on the Horizon

The Erie Canal began before the industrial revolution. Goods and people moved from place to place slowly. Animal power provided the means for overland travel, the canal made animals much more efficient. But as the years passed new inventions, such as steam power would replace animal power.

The Erie Canal’s greatest threat was the railroads. They were faster and could travel from point to point without dependence on water resources. Railroads were not limited by weather and could deliver people and products to nearly any location. This was certainly a serious threat to the canals.

In the late 1860’s tolls on the canal were eliminated to help canal companies to continue operations. This was helpful, but the writing was clearly on the wall. Canals was obsolete.

The Last Harrah

In 1905 New York State approved a final enlargement of the canal. It was to be called the New York State Barge Canal. This canal was to be the state of the art with electrically powered locks and a channel that would carry huge amounts of cargo. It replaced the earlier canals and was completed around 1917.
The new canal was marginally successful. Rail and highway transportation essentially took all business from the canal.

Yet, even though the present canal isn’t used to transport goods, it still serves a vital roll in the state. In the lowlands of upstate New York it is a vital water control facility preventing countless floods from occurring, especially during the spring months. When floods are not threatening, the canal regulates the levels of the Finger Lakes.

A New Canal for New Yorkers and the World

Beginning as early as the 1960’s people have had visions that our canal could serve another purpose. Like many canals in Europe our canal could become a world-class recreational asset. To this end public and private segments of New York State have combined efforts to convert this valuable asset. Today along the New Erie Canal are parks, trails, bed & breakfasts and vacation opportunities for everyone. Communities along the canal recognize this prospect and have made huge improvements.

We in New York State welcome visitors to our New Erie Canal. Come to enjoy our walking/bicycle trails, the parks, and the fabulous places to stay and dine. The Erie Canal is a legend to be discovered. Much more than has been shared here is out there to be learned. Make New York State and the New Erie Canal your next destination!


 

The Wedding of the Water 1991
 

In October 1991, there was a 14-day re-enactment of the Wedding of the Waters voyage of 1825. It was done by the group called E.R.I.E - Erie's Restoration Interests Everyone. Concerned about the condition of the canal, and also, its potential, Mark DeCracker of Lyons founded the group in 1988. A tug boat ^minus the hoggee (muleskinner) alongside on a towpath_ pulled a museum raft which served as a stage for entertaining and educating. DeCracker dressed in period costume and alternately portrayed DeWitt Clinton and Jesse Hawley. The history of the Erie Canal was shared with many canalside visitors, particularly children in school groups, on the 27 stops the tug made.

Once again Lake Erie water was carried and dumped into New York Harbor.

This 20th Century Wedding of the Waters publicized the pending fate of the canal.

Eleven days after the completion of the re-enactment, on November 5, 1991, the NYS voters passed an amendment to SAVE the canal. The amendment authorized the State (1) to grant leases of canal lands; (2) use all funds derived, for maintenance, construction, reconstruction, development or promotion of the canal; (3) to allow tolls on persons or property transported; (4) to establish certain provisions with respect to contracts for work or materials.

The following year the entire NYS Barge Canal System of which the Erie is the major part, was transferred from the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transportation to the NYS Thruway Authority.

As we approach the 21st Century, last year, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $131 million in grants and loans to counties and communities for canal-related projects in the Canal Corridor Initiative.

Tourism is second only to agriculture in NYS. Every community seeks its share of the tourism dollar. Presently, the Spiritualists are in Newark to observe the 150th anniversary of the rise of Modern Spiritualism. Annually, the Mormon Pageant draws thousands to the largest outdoor drama, in the world. One has but to read newspapers, magazines, watch TV and/or check Internet web sites to learn of attractions and opportunities.

Water lures tourists. It is exciting to live in Wayne County which has the Erie Canal's most diverse stretch. There is a rise of 82.4 feet from Clyde to Macedon. There are parks and wilderness areas. Industries along the canal are changing. Plans for restoration of buildings, aqueducts, and locks are exciting. Lake Ontario has the St. Lawrence Seaways Trail. We will have also the Towpath Trail that already extends from Medina to Palmyra. We can adventure on the Erie Canal - canoeing, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, cruising, learning.

We have much for which to love New York. The Erie Canal is our gold mine, rediscovered.