What was the Erie Canal 1825?

What was the Erie Canal 1825?

The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825, providing overland water transportation between the Hudson River on the east and Lake Erie at the western end. Popularly known as “Clinton’s Folly,” the eight-year construction project was the vision of New York Governor DeWitt Clinton.

What are four interesting facts about the Erie Canal?

Fast Facts

JUST THE FACTS
Number of locks, 1825 83
Number of locks, present day 57
Elevation change, Albany to Buffalo 571 feet
Canal dimensions, 1825 Original Erie 4 ft deep x 40 ft wide; locks 90 ft long

Who built Erie Canal?

Erie Canal
Original owner New York State
Principal engineer Benjamin Wright
Other engineer(s) Canvass White, Amos Eaton
Construction began July 4, 1817 (at Rome, New York)

Why was the Erie Canal so important?

The Erie Canal provided a direct water route from New York City to the Midwest, triggering large-scale commercial and agricultural development—as well as immigration—to the sparsely populated frontiers of western New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and points farther west.

What was the effect of the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825?

The completion of the Erie Canal spurred the first great westward movement of American settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the Appalachians and made New York the preeminent commercial city in the United States.

Who invented Erie Canal?

What was Erie Canal used for?

How old is the Erie Canal?

Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. It was the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America. The canal put New York on the map as the Empire State—the leader in population, industry, and economic strength.

What are some interesting facts about the Erie Canal?

Here are some interesting facts about the Erie Canal: The canal is 363 miles long, 40 feet deep, and 4 feet wide. It contains 18 aqueducts and 72 locks. The men who constructed the canal used their bare hands, picks, and shovels. The men were paid only fifty cents each day!

How long does it take to walk the Erie Canal?

Erie Canal depth remains pretty constant between 9-10 feet. It takes approximately 3 days to cruise to Oswego on Lake Ontario and 7 or 8 days to cruise the. 338 miles between Waterford, NY and Buffalo depending on your stops along the way.

How much did it cost to build the Erie Canal?

Here are some of the facts available: The original Erie Canal cost $7 million to build and this was carried out over the years 1818 to 1825. The legislative act allowing bonds to be sold to finance the canals’ construction specified a maximum interest rate of 6 percent.

What positive effects did the Erie Canal have?

The Erie Canal had many positive effects. It opened up trade in the Midwest, as farmers now had a cheaper way to get their goods to markets. The canal put many people to work, most notably Irish immigrants. It also gave Albany and Buffalo an economic boost.

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