200 Years of Erie Canal History

April 2011 marks the 200th anniversary of the key decisions for the construction of the Erie Canal, a monumental public works project that transformed the economy of New York State.

 

Two centuries ago, on April 8, 1811, the state Legislature approved a measure that set into motion the construction of the Erie Canal. This followed the delivery of a report on March 2, 2011 of a report by the original Commission.

 

Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, "Two hundred years ago, visionary New Yorkers set forth a plan which would revolutionize communication and transportation throughout a young nation, lead to unprecedented prosperity and growth, and forever establish New York the Empire State. Two centuries later, the Erie Canal stands alone as a bold public project that helped shape America. The lessons from our storied past

inspire us today to search out similarly bold initiatives to promote the economic development of Upstate New York."

 

From Utica to Fairport to North Tonawanda, the 363-mile-long Erie Canal corridor offers numerous opportunities for shippers, boaters, bicyclists and walkers. The canal-side venues are the scenes of dozens of festivals, fairs and community events throughout the year.

 

In addition to its traditional role as a transportation corridor, the Canal system serves critical Upstate needs for hydropower, drinking water, irrigation and flood control.

 

The inter-agency Mohawk-Erie Corridor Study is examining how sustainable transportation assets can promote economic growth in Upstate New York. 

 

Judy Schmidt Dean, chair of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission said: "Members of New York's legislature could not have imagined the revolutionary impact or lasting legacy of the Erie Canal when they adopted the Canal Commission's report and passed this canal legislation 200 years ago. Today, we celebrate their extraordinary vision and accept

continued responsibility for the good stewardship of America's greatest canal system."

 

Fairport Village Mayor Frederick May said, "Fairport exists because of the Erie Canal. Throughout the year, including wintertime, the waterfront is a focus for family fun and festivals. We consider the Erie Canal to be a Main Street in the Village of Fairport. It plays a huge role in the economic development of Fairport."

 

North Tonawanda Mayor Robort Ortt said, "It was the opening of the Erie Canal that made North Tonawanda a gateway for commerce on the Great Lakes and the Midwest. Today, the Canal continues to drive economic development in North Tonawanda and serves as a gateway to the many tourists who travel across inland waterways."

 

The original Canal Commission was comprised of some of the most distinguished citizens of New York: Stephen Van Rensselaer, Gouverneur Morris, DeWitt Clinton, Simeon DeWitt, William North, Thomas Eddy and Peter R. Porter.

 

It had been directed by the Legislature in 1810 to conduct a survey across New York to examine possible routes for the canal. The Canal Commission suggested that such a canal not only could, but should, be built by New Yorkers to link the Great Lakes with the Atlantic seaboard.

 

The suggestion that a canal be constructed "350 miles through the wilderness" of upstate New York had been described by President Thomas Jefferson as "a little short of madness." Still, the Canal Commissioners had concluded that it was not only possible, but that the benefits to New York, and the nation, would be enormous.

 

However audacious the plan, the Commissioners' report accurately predicted that the benefits would far outweigh the costs, whatever the price: "Thus, were it (by giving a loose to fancy) extended to fifty millions of dollars, even that enormous sum does not exceed half the value of what, in all human probability, and at no distant period, will annually be carried along the

Canal."

 

When the Legislature adopted the Commission report, it appropriated $15,000 for the Commission to continue its work and added two more distinguished members Robert L. Livingston and Robert Fulton.