Near Port Byron in Cayuga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Erie Canal
Historic New York
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, March 8, 2020
1. The Erie Canal Marker
Construction of the Erie Canal was hailed as the greatest engineering accomplishment to that time. Under the leadership of Governor De Witt Clinton, construction began July 4, 1817. With little technical knowledge, thousands of workers surveyed, blasted and dug a 563-mile canal across the state, they hewed through solid rock and dug in marshes; they erected aqueducts to carry the canal over rivers and valleys: and they built 83 locks to take the canal over changes in ground level. When completed in October, 1825, the Erie connected Albany and Buffalo and became the main route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.
Passenger and freight barges crowded the canal. Western New York flourished with new, cheap transportation The Erie Canal also hastened development of the Mid-West. Success of the Erie stimulated enlargement of the original canal in the 1840's and construction of additional canals. More than 500 miles of canals connected the Erie to other sections of New York State After the 1870's, canal transportation declined and many canals closed. The Erie was modernized in 1918 as part of the State Barge Canal System consisting of the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals.
Erected 1965 by Education Department, State of New York, N.Y.S. Thruway
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal, and the Historic New York State series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1817.
Location. 43° 1.423′ N, 76° 40.275′ W. Marker is near Port Byron, New York, in Cayuga County. Marker can be reached from New York Thruway (Interstate 90) 25.4 miles east of Ridge Road (New York State Route 414), on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Port Byron Service Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Byron NY 13140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Col. Comfort Tyler (approx. 1.7 miles away); Early Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Old Erie Canal (approx. 1.8 miles away); Salt Springs (approx. 1.8 miles away); Montezuma (approx. 1.8 miles away); Opened in 1828 (approx. 1.9 miles away); Montezuma Heritage Park (approx. 1.9 miles away); A Landmark and Pride in Our Community (approx. 1.9 miles away).
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, March 8, 2020
2. The Erie Canal Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
