Oakland - Portage in Livingston County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Genesee Valley Canal
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, June 11, 2021
1. The Genesee Valley Canal Marker
Inscription.
The Genesee Valley Canal was built to provide transportation through the Genesee Valley from the Erie Canal in the north to the Allegheny River in the south. This was consistent with Governor DeWitt Clinton's vision to connect New York City with the Western Frontier. Construction of the canal began in 1837, and within three years the canal was in operation from Rochester south to Mt. Morris. A "sidecut" branched off from the main canal at Mount Morris and ran to Dansville. Because of a financial crisis, the state stopped work on all canals from 1842 to 1847. When construction resumed, the canal was extended south, reaching Olean in 1856 and the Allegheny River in the fall of 1861. The Genesee Valley Canal was one of several "lateral" canals that branched off the successful Erie Canal, which was completed in 1825. The Genesee Valley Canal never made enough money to pay for its maintenance. The canal was abandoned in 1878 having been overtaken by the more efficient railroads. Nevertheless, the canal encouraged the development of the communities along its course.
The Genesee Valley Canal was built to provide transportation through the Genesee Valley from the Erie Canal in the north to the Allegheny River in the south. This was consistent with Governor DeWitt Clinton's vision to connect New York City with the Western Frontier. Construction of the canal began in 1837, and within three years the canal was in operation from Rochester south to Mt. Morris. A "sidecut" branched off from the main canal at Mount Morris and ran to Dansville. Because of a financial crisis, the state stopped work on all canals from 1842 to 1847. When construction resumed, the canal was extended south, reaching Olean in 1856 and the Allegheny River in the fall of 1861.
The Genesee Valley Canal was one of several "lateral" canals that branched off the successful Erie Canal, which was completed in 1825. The Genesee Valley Canal never made enough money to pay for its maintenance. The canal was abandoned in 1878 having been overtaken by the more efficient railroads. Nevertheless, the canal encouraged the development of the communities along its course.
W. Marker is in Oakland - Portage, New York, in Livingston County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of New York State Route 436 and Oakland Road. Marker is located on the Canal Trail branch from the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail, just into Letchworth State Park at Oakland, NY. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nunda NY 14517, 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. Deep Cut (approx. 0.6 miles away); 17 Locks (approx. 1.2 miles away); Nunda Soldiers' Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 1˝ miles away); "Nunda Valley" (approx. 1˝ miles away); Lock 42 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Kish-A-Wa (approx. 1.8 miles away); School Site (approx. 1.9 miles away).
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, June 11, 2021
2. Close-up of 1844 newspaper announcement
From Daniel Fink's Barns of the Genesee Country, 1790 - 1915, 1987.
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, June 11, 2021
3. Close-up of NY State canal system map on marker
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, June 11, 2021
4. Close-up of canal photo on marker
Photographed By Bruce Kelly, June 11, 2021
5. Close-up of map on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 13, 2021, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
