An Idea Becomes Reality

Propositions for a canal through the Mohawk River Valley date back to 1724 when Cadwallader Colden, surveyor general and governor of New York, proposed a water route to facilitate trade and provide an easier way West. However, it wasn’t until 1792 that the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company formed to improve navigation on the Mohawk River but lacked financial resources to do any substantial work.

Colden's early map of New York and surrounding area (1727) [Trinity Banter]

DeWitt Clinton-“Father of the Erie Canal” [New York State]

The canal was proposed again in 1807 and a commission was formed with the help of flour merchant and writer Jesse Hawley and New York politician and future governor DeWitt Clinton. It submitted reports to the New York legislature, which passed a Canal Bill on April 17, 1816. Official work began July 4, 1817.

“By this [construction of the Erie Canal], the internal trade will be increased-- by this also, the foreign trade will be promoted-- by this, the country will be settled-- by this frontiers will be secured-- by this, a variety of articles, as masts, yards, and ship timber may be brought to New York, which will not bear the expense of land carriage… By this, in time of war, provisions and military stores with facility in sufficient quantity to answer any emergency; and by this, in time of peace, all necessaries, conveniences, and if we please, luxuries of life, may be distributed to the remotest parts of the Great Lakes.” --Engineer Christopher Colles in a speech to NY legislature (1784)

Canal boat entering a lock [Edward Lamson Henry (1899) Albany Institute of History and Art]

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