Lake Erie

Lake Erie. Sailing Through Time. Ships and Sunsets. , If you could have stood on this spot for 300 years, you would have seen a parade of vessels carrying Native Americans, explorers, trappers, fishermen, traders, shippers, and sailors traveling and transporting people and goods on the water highway. , Today there is as much traffic as ever, but most of the vessels are pleasure craft, and one of the most popular activities is watching the beautiful sunsets. , For many centuries, Native American dugout canoes were the only watercraft using the lake. , In the late 1600s and early 1700s French voyageurs paddled back and forth on fur-trading trips between Quebec and the interior of the continent. , In 1699, French explorer LaSalle sailed past this spot in his ship the Griffon, the first such ship to sail on Lake Erie. , During the French and Indian War, British and French warships battled for control of the Niagara River and water access to the interior. , Even in winter the lake is a roadway. This etching by Charles Graham, from the February 1886 edition of Harper's magazine, shows goods being transported on the lake ice by dogsled and other means. , As the farming and mining industries in the west grew, cargo ships carried coal and grain to eastern ports. , In the late 1800s, lavish steamers ferried tourists between lakefront cities and resorts. , In the early 1900s, fuel-powered commercial fishing tugs trolled these waters, netting lake fish for market. , Lake freighters grew larger through the 20th century. Today, ocean-going vessels transport products from Great Lakes ports to destinations around the world. , Wind-powered craft, once the only choice, are now used for sport. , Recreational fishing charters and yachts dominate the waterway today. , Hamburg History , 2004 - Renovation and dedication of Erie Seaway Trail Center. , 1996 - Woodlawn Beach State Park opens access to lake for water recreation. , 1920 - Hamburg Town Park established. , 1910 - Wanakah Water Works Company incorporates. Building construction begins. , Woodlawn Beach and Cottage Co. begins regular boat transportation between Buffalo and their amusement park. The Corona is first boat put into service. 1837 - Group of 30 to 40 would-be heroes departs Hamburg across the ice to invade Canada. Group surrenders in middle of the lake. , 1814 - During War of 18 12 naval raiding parties and arms smugglers are active offshore. , 1812 - Town of Hamburg incorporated. , 1805 - The Titus Hotel, later named the Bay View Hotel, and still later named the Dock of the Bay, opened on lake shore roadway. , 1800 - Early settlers used the beach as a roadway to the west. Many hotels and taverns were built to serve the travelers. , 1650 - Iroquois Confederacy controls region as the Senecas vanquish earlier tribes. Vistas along the Seaway Trail coastline offer a window for the imagination. , Seaway Trail, Inc., Corner Ray and West Main St., Sackets Harbor, NY 13685. 1-800-SEAWAY-T. America's Byways. This exhibit made possible by a grant from FHWA to Seaway Trail, Inc.