Waterfront in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Grand Canal
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, June 3, 2015
1. The Grand Canal Marker
Skeptics dubbed the project "Clinton's Folly" and "Clinton's Ditch" when construction of the Erie Canal began near Rome on July 4, 1817, deriding both the project and its principal promoter. Things were very different by October 24, 1825 when Governor DeWitt Clinton declared the Erie Canal complete and began a grand waterborne procession from Buffalo to New York City.
The Erie Canal prompted settlement, commercial agriculture, and manufacturing across upstate New Yok and also opened vast areas in the middle of the American continent to similar developments. As the principal channel for the products of New York and Midwestern farms, forests, and mines, the canal confirmed New York City's place as America's foremost seaport and commercial center and made New York the Empire State.
The Erie Canal provided the first all-water link between Atlantic Seaboard and the upper Great Lakes - 363 miles long. It climbed 570 feet between the tidal Hudson River at Albany on its way to Lake Erie in Buffalo. It passed through a series of 83 locks as shown on this 1825 map.
The Erie and connecting canals were so successful that they were enlarged to accommodtae bigger boats in ever increasing numbers. The New York State Barge Canal system, constructed between 1905 and 1918, represents the last major enlargement and remains in
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 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1825.
Location. 42° 52.66′ N, 78° 52.739′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Waterfront. Marker is at the intersection of Marine Drive and Commercial Street, on the left when traveling west on Marine Drive. Marker is one of a triangle of three markers on the Marine Drive bridge over the Commercial Slip. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buffalo NY 14202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Buffalo - Queen City of the Lakes (here, next to this marker); Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (here, next to this marker); Buffalo Riverfront Historical Eras to 1930 (here, next to this marker); The Ruins at Canalside (within shouting distance of this marker); A Changing Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo - A Network of Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); William Wells Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo - An Industrial Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.
Also see . . . DeWitt Clinton - Wikipedia
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, June 3, 2015
2. Westward
Marker at right, where several people are standing. The water is the Commercial Slip.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 449 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
