On my first trip to upstate New York in 1988, I saw a sign to the modern Erie Canal in the middle of heavy traffic along the industrial section of Schenectady, New York.
The Erie Canal is still in use?
I thought it was merely a 19th century blurb in the history books that faded into the past.
It was then that I learned that Schenectady lies on the large Mohawk River, which meant the Erie Canal was there, too.
Making many a vacation in Schenectady, whenever we traveled west, we saw the Erie Canal along the Mohawk River.
I also learned that the Erie Canal continues to be actively used today for both commerce and by vacationers.
American Revolution Strategy
In June of 1777 British General Burgoyne invaded America from Canada, descending on New York.
In the months prior to the definitive Battle of Saratoga, Burgoyne sought to split fiery Boston from the southern colonies by gaining control of the Hudson River Valley.
Flowing from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, that in turn, flows south into the Atlantic Ocean in New York City, the Mohawk River on the western frontier of New York became a strategic location for Fort Stanwix.
Originally purposed to guard an important portage along the Mohawk River, it became the site of a siege during the American Revolution.
Burgoyne’s troops, who partnered with Native Americans, descended on the fort located on the Mohawk resulting in the Battle of Oriskany.
Building the original Erie Canal 1817-1917
Fifty years later the Erie Canal was built on the strategic Mohawk River.
Originally dug 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep, the 8-year project was completed in 1825.
Nine years later the first upgrades began, enlarging the canal to 70 feet wide and 7 feet deep, completed in 1862.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE’S ERIE CANAL RIDE – 1835
Regarding a ride he took on the Erie Canal in 1835, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: Through the thickest of the tumult goes the canal, flowing between lofty rows of buildings and arched bridges of hewn stone. Onward, also, go we, till the hum and bustle of struggling enterprise die away behind us, and we are threading an avenue of the ancient woods again.
Building the modern Erie Canal 1918-present
A larger and improved canal was built alongside the old, some sections of which continue to be visible.
Now 120 feet wide and 12 feet deep, modern 2,000 ton barges use the canal.
Since the 1990s, mostly recreational boaters use the canal (as I have), since railroads and truckers now haul most goods.
Touring on the Erie Canal
Located eight miles from the site of the Battle of Oriskany, the Erie Canal Village preserves a section of the old Erie Canal.
For a great historic 19th century canal boat ride with mules pulling the boat with ropes along a towpath, check out the Erie Canal Village in Rome, New York, where we visited in 2004.
