Fonda in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Erie Canal

A 19th-Century World Wonder

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, February 9, 2019

1. The Erie Canal Marker

Inscription. A Natural Advantage
The Erie Canal was built by taking advantage of a path carved by nature through the eastern Appalachian Mountains. Construction on the Erie Canal began in Rome, New York, on July 4, 1817, and it opened in Buffalo in 1825.

Right Inset:

Clinton's Big Ditch

As one of the greatest champions of the canal, Governor Dewitt Clinton presided over a "Wedding of the Waters” ceremony soon after the waterway opened. Critics of the Erie Canal, soon proved wrong, had called the canal “Clinton's Big Ditch."

Left Inset

A Vision From Behind Bars

While serving a 20-month prison sentence for bankruptcy, Jesse Hawley, a New York flour merchant, wrote a series of essays in 1807 that proved hugely influential to the creation of the canal.

Nearby attractions:

Canastota Canal Town Museum
Erie Canalway Trail
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

Erected by Path Through History/I Love NY.

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 July 4, 1817.

Location. 42° 54.981′ N,

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74° 26.841′ W. Marker is in Fonda, New York, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from NY Thruway (Interstate 90) when traveling west. Marker is in the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fonda NY 12068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Mohawk Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mohawk Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Mohawk Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker

The Mohawk Valley Welcome Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 9, 2019

2. The Mohawk Valley Welcome Center

Center has a series of 6-8 signs explaining the Erie Canal and Mohawk Valley. The Mohawk River is straight ahead and flows toward the right of the picture

also named The Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Buoy Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); Giving Sal a Rest (within shouting distance of this marker); The Second Locking (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fonda.

More about this marker. There are several other markers in this area

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, March 9, 2019

3. The Mohawk Valley Welcome Center

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 9, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?