The Erie Canal turns 200

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ripcord

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As a Westerner who's never been to New England but loves history, I was very interested to learn about the Erie Canal. It was immensely consequential in developing the Westward expansion of the USA as well being a testament to the rugged determination and grit of the Irish immigrants who were its primary builders. Most amazingly, it was all dug with muscle power (and a healthy application of blasting powder) alone. It also cemented New York City as the financial and business center of the US.

https://eriecanalway.org/bicentennial



 
When next you're in the Capital Region of New York State, make it a point to visit the lock at Waterford, NY.
It is from here the Mohawk River extends west. The lock is 24' high, the highest in the system.
Ribbons and threads of water shoot from the old doors' imperfections.

A '90's spruce up at 6 sites along the canal and other civic revitalizations was passed.
Also at Waterford, paving stones of differing hues were used to clearly depict the elevation of the system in cross-section.

West on I-90 west of Albany you'll see a running 20' section of the old Erie Canal. It's a gaunt but glorious monument to the famous waterway along which the highway was lain.

Going back, Rt. 17 is today's road which preceded much of the Erie Canal's main track.
Today, driving the playful zig-zag with the Susquehanna River is a delightful treat I'd recommend.
 
ripcord said:
As a Westerner who's never been to New England but loves history, I was very interested to learn about the Erie Canal. It was immensely consequential in developing the Westward expansion of the USA as well being a testament to the rugged determination and grit of the Irish immigrants who were its primary builders. Most amazingly, it was all dug with muscle power (and a healthy application of blasting powder) alone. It also cemented New York City as the financial and business center of the US.

https://eriecanalway.org/bicentennial



Click to expand...

Same here. History freak for life. Wife , 30+ year educator has always said I missed my calling and should have been a history teacher.
The canal story and its aftermath and benefits to a newer nation is a truly inspiring story for all.
I have seen some very interesting specials and documentaries on the Erie canal. Just shows the type of people it took to build this nation from one sea to the other all the way across the continent. Tough , God fearing , hard working people. Sad part is there are lots of folks these days who some how have a hatred for those very people who accomplished such great things for us who followed them. I fear with each passing day that this country has a whole lot less of that type of spirit or the people to do those type things.
 
I too am a sucker for big/huge infrastructure projects, especially old ones that were built without all the modern conveniences we have today. Just brute force and determination to get something done.

The Lackawanna Cut-Off is another gigantic project in that neck of the woods that is pretty interesting, mainly because the massive amount of dirt that was moved for it. Creating a literal mountain right down the middle of a valley, and the largest concrete structures in the world at the time. (IIRC)

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ripcord said:
As a Westerner who's never been to New England but loves history, I was very interested to learn about the Erie Canal. It was immensely consequential in developing the Westward expansion of the USA as well being a testament to the rugged determination and grit of the Irish immigrants who were its primary builders. Most amazingly, it was all dug with muscle power (and a healthy application of blasting powder) alone. It also cemented New York City as the financial and business center of the US.

https://eriecanalway.org/bicentennial



Click to expand...

I was able to visit part of the canal in Lockport, New York. Saw some locks and actually took a tour through a cave up to an under ground spillway used to control the locks.
 
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