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Erie Canal

Construction on the Erie Canal started in 1817, and it took over 8 years to build. The canal runs through New York for 363 miles.

306 Questions

What two bodies of water were linked by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825?

The Hudson River and Lake Erie were connected when the Erie Canal was completed October 26, 1825.

The completion of the Erie canal allowed ships to travel between where?

Buffalo, New York. The full length (363 miles) was completed October 25, 1825. It became known to some as 'Clinton's Ditch' in honor of Governor DeWitt Clinton (its major proponent). The Erie canal allowed goods to be shipped from NYC to Buffalo in four days, a substantial time savings.

What facts describe the Erie Canal?

Construction on the Erie Canal in New York state began in 1817. The canal was opened on October 26, 1825. It ran from Albany on the Hudson River to Buffalo at Lake Erie, a total of about 363 miles.

Why was the Erie canal call the Clinton's Big Ditch?

The Erie Canal was called "Clinton's Folly or "Clinton's Ditch" when it began construction.

The project was considered impossible by some, at the time (proposed around 1800). When Thomas Jefferson was petitioned for federal funds, he refused, saying; "It is a splendid project, and may be executed a century hence."

But in 1816, New York governor DeWitt Clinton allocated $7 million and served on the Erie Canal Commission. His opponents managed to have him removed from the commission, but in the backlash to this, he was nominated by the "People's Party" and elected to a second term as governor in 1825.

The Erie Canal

The canal extended from the Hudson River at Albany, NY to Lake Erie at Buffalo, NY. Connecting New York City to the Great Lakes, and the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, the canal took eight years to build (1817-1825). It got Dewitt Clinton voted out of office by his party. Six years later, as the work neared completion, it got him voted back in again. And rightfully so. Before the Erie Barge Canal was built, it cost about $67 US dollars to ship a standard bale of goods from the Atlantic seaboard to the continental interior. After the Erie Barge Canal was built, it cost just $12 US dollars. This helped make New York City the economic hub of the free world, and to establish New York as the "Empire State."

Did President Jackson veto the Erie Canal bill because he opposed the federal support for projects entirely within a single state?

Andrew Jackson served as US President from 1829-1837. The Erie Canal opened in 1825, long before Jackson could exerta veto as President.

James Madison vetoed funding for the Erie Canal when he was president.

How did the Erie Canal change the US?

The Erie Canal changed the United States because it brought food from the Midwest to New York City. It also brought immigrants from Europe that came to New York and wanted to farm in the Midwest.

Are the Erie Canal and Suez Canal similar?

The Erie Canal is located in New York State and connects New York City to Lake Erie. It takes very small barges through the canal from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY.

The Suez Canal is in Egypt. It takes ocean going ships. It connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

What body of water did the Erie Canal connect the Great Lakes to?

The Erie Canal connected the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Erie.

How did the Erie canal affect Rochester?

Rochester is a city along the path of the Erie Canal. The Village of Rochesterville was formed in 1817, the year that the canal started. It had 700 people. Bu 1823, the population was 2,500 and they changed the name to Rochester. By 1830, Rochester was Flour City grinding 25,000 bushels of wheat daily. Then came the seed companies changing Rochester in 1850 from Flour City to Flower City. Rochester was in the right place to prosper from the Erie Canal. By the time that the Erie Canal was no longer a major transportation route, Rochester had attracted Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, and Western Union.

What Erie Canal connected Albany on the Hudson?

The Erie Canal connects Albany, The Hudson River, Lake Erie, Buffalo, and everything in between.

Who was the Erie Canal effort by?

Benjamin Wright was the chief engineer and his assistant was James Geddes. John Sullivan, John Jervis, Nathan Roberts, Canvass White and also worked on the canal. De Witt Clinton was the governor of New York who signed state legislation to fund the building of the canal.

What was the function of the Erie Canal?

The Erie Canal was used for boats. Back then, they used horse and buggy. It was much quicker to go by boat. So they built the Erie Canal. They used to used it for traveling. Nowadays, it is used mostly for tours.

How did the Erie Canal help NYC grow?

The Erie Canal was the first water link that connected the East Coast seaports to the Great Lakes. It was opened in 1825, long before any railroads existed. Prior to the Canal, the only way to move goods to the upper Midwest bordering the Lakes, was by overland by cartage (expensive and very slow.)

It connected the Hudson River near Albany NY, by water to Lake Erie near Buffalo NY.

New York City, being at the mouth of the Hudson was the ideal freight transfer point for westbound freight. Thus the Port of New York grew very

rapidly after the opening of the Canal.

How is a canal used today?

They are useful because they are the source of which many boats travel on. It is also very traditional in Dutch culture and many other cultures too.

When did the Erie canal construction begin?

Construction of the Erie Canal began July 4, 1817 and was completed October 26, 1825

How was The Erie Canal Built?

They did not have bulldozers so animals were used to pulled a "slip scraper". German stonemasons were hired to cut stone to build the locks. Irish were hired as labor to pull stumps and shovel dirt into wheel barrows.

What lake did the Erie Canal join with?

No the Erie Canal did not join the Ohio River. But New York was not the only state that built canals. The state of Ohio also built canals. The Miami and Erie Canal went to the Ohio River. The Erie and Ohio Canal also reached the Ohio River. Neither of these canals were as successful as the Erie Canal.