The Erie Canal

The Erie Canal

About:

The Erie Canal, often referred to the NYS Barge Canal includes 524 miles of navigable waterways throughout NYS. The Canals that make up the Erie Canal System include the Cayuga / Seneca, The Champlain, The Oswego and the Erie itself. These 4 Canals allow for travel from inland NY to anywhere in the world.

 

Facts:

The 4 individual canals today total 524 miles of navigable waterways. There are currently 55 locks and 18 lift bridges amongst the Canals. Total lift is 568’ and the largest lift is lock   at Little Falls with 49’of lift. It is also the only lock on the system that uses a drop door instead of the standard swing doors used elsewhere. The flight of 5 which consists of locks 2-7 just west of Waterford is the greatest elevation change on any navigable waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Erie Canal is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also a National Park Historical Site.

 

 

History:

The Erie first envisioned in the early 1800’s by NY’s then governor Dewitt Clinton was first dismissed as crazy and was referred to early on as Clinton’s Follies. Hope was that the Federal Government would help fund the project, but that never happened and New York State went it alone. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825 at a cost of $8 million dollars, the Canal ended up paying for itself in less than 8 years. New York City soon became the largest port in the United States as a direct result of the construction of the Erie Canal. The opening of the canal in 1825 allowed for goods and people to be shipped in half the time and at one tenth the cost of the conventional methods of the time.

The Canal has evolved throughout the years from what was originally referred to as Clinton’s Ditch where mules walked the tow path towing barges and boats up and down the canal. The advent of mechanically powered vessels allowed for the use of the lakes and river sections which continued to speed travel along the Canal. The final version of the Canal was opened in 1915 and is what we travel on today. The infrastructure visible along the Canal today is the same technology that was designed and built back in 1915 and still amazes visitors to the Canal each day.

New York State understood the value of the Canal when it guaranteed its continued existence by amending its constitution in 1938 during a constitutional convention.

The Canal Today:

Continues to be used for commercial shipping albeit in a limited fashion. It is used as a source of water for agricultural purposes, it is used to generate electric through it’s more than 2 dozen hydro-electric power plants scattered throughout the Canal System. The Canal is also used as a very important means of flood control. Today the greatest use of the Canal System relates to tourism. The Erie Canal passes through 5 of NYS’s travel regions. Whether Boating, Bicycling, Hiking or Road Tripping through the Erie Canal System, the opportunities are virtually limitless. The Canalway trail is now more than 75% complete, NY has committed to completing 100% of the trail by 2020. Boaters have access to the 524 miles of waterways, with marinas throughout the system available for transient and seasonal docking or the many communities that open their doors to boaters many with free docking, free electrical, wi-fi, bathrooms and shower facilities. The Cayuga/Seneca connects the Erie Canal to the two largest Finger lakes. From Fishing to Wine tasting those lakes offer boaters and visitors alike world class opportunities for enjoyment.

The Oswego Canal connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario and beyond. The Lake Ontario region offers visitors World Class Fishing, and the ability to travel by water to Canada and beyond.

The Champlain Canal region is steeped in history dating back to the formation of the United States. Allowing travelers to transit from the Hudson River to Lake Champlain and onto the Chambly Canal.

The Discover the Erie Canal site has been designed to be the most comprehensive online resource on the Erie Canal. It not only provides travelers who wish to experience the Erie Canal with all the information they need to maximize their trip, but also provides visitors with information on the history, news and events and information on the more than 200 communities that surround the Erie Canal  

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History in your Backyard Series: A behind the scenes look at the Revolutionary War

History in Your Backyard Series: A behind the scenes look at the Revolutionary War

 

We make history fun and exciting!

Have you ever wanted to get an insider’s look into history?  Would you like to see recently uncovered artifacts that provide insight into the region’s long history, explore a historic home that served as a Revolutionary War field hospital, or interact with a “real” soldiers at a military encampment?  You can do all of this plus enjoy wine tasting, take a boat ride, and enjoy an incredible local farm to table lunch just by signing up at www.akibatravel.com. This inaugural guided tour will take you to of some of the region’s hidden gems for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Mohawk Maiden Cruises

Learn archaeologist’s techniques and view recently discovered artifacts from the Revolutionary War era; experience harsh camp life of Revolutionary War soldiers at Saratoga Battlefield’s Annual Encampment; take a boat cruise on the historic Champlain Canal; and, discover the unmarked destinations and under-told stories that provide a new look into our region’s past. We will even visit a historic home that was once a Revolutionary War field hospital and view remnants of blood stained floors, a 1777 cannon ball lodged in a beam, and the basement where the Baroness Riedesel, wife of the General Riedesel hid with her three children during the siege.

This day-long trip will begin at 8:30AM at 12 Spring St. Schuylerville, NY, and return by 5:00PM.  Farm-to-table lunch is included in the price with an add-on option for a dinner reception after the tour. Cost is $75 per person. Price includes: transportation, boat ride, guides, lunch, access to all attractions and more.

Call: 518-322-2067 or visit www.akibatravel.com for more information.

This program is presented by Akiba Travel LLC.

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What’s New At Canal NY

On Sept. 27th Canal NY held a media luncheon. This year’s event was held at Pier A, an historic restaurant located in Battery Park City, overlooking NY Harbor. The event was attended by over 30 travel writers and journalists who enjoyed a great meal and presentations by or member sponsors. One of the first known benefits from the event was a live radio interview that I could participate in with Dan Schlosberg the host of Travel Itch radio. Here is the link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ndbmedia/2016/10/14/travel-itch-radio to hear the show. The marketing committee will be following up with each of the travel writers who attended the event over the next month to coordinate future projects.

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SUNY / Erie Canal Bicentennial Forum

 

Downtown Revitalization Along the Canal:
The D.R.I. Program and Waterfront Redevelopment

AN ERIE CANAL BICENTENNIAL DISCUSSION

September 27, 2018
SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY
Marano Campus Center
Auditorium Room 132

OPENING SESSION

Welcome and Introduction of Keynote: SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley
Keynote Address: John Maggiore, Director of Policy, Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Comments on the D.R.I. Program and Canal-Front Redevelopment:
Kisha Santiago-Martinez, Deputy Secretary of State for Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure, NYS Department of State
Overview of Panels / Itinerary:
Brian U. Stratton, Director, NYS Canal Corporation and SUNY Oswego Alumnus ‘79

PANEL DISCUSSION 1:
Downtown Revitalization and Waterfront Redevelopment—
The Mayors’ Perspective on the D.R.I. Program

Moderator: SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley

Panelists:

Hon. William J. Barlow, Jr.—Mayor, City of Oswego
Sage Gerling—City Manager, City of Geneva (on behalf of Mayor Ronald L. Alcock)

Matthew J. Andrews— Deputy Director of Community Development, City of Rome
(on behalf of Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo)
Laurie DeNardo— Village Trustee / D.R.I. Co-Chair, Village of Watkins Glen
(on behalf of Mayor Samuel Schimizzi)

BREAK

PANEL DISCUSSION 2

Revitalization Projects and Themes in D.R.I. Canal Communities

Moderator: Robert M. Simpson, President and CEO, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (introduced by SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley)

Panelists:

Paul Stewart / Oswego—President, Oswego Renaissance Association (Downtown Housing; partnership with Geneva)

Ryan Wallace/Geneva—Qwiksolar/Solar Home Factory (Lake Tunnel Solar Village)

Judy McKinney-Cherry / Watkins Glen—D.R.I. Co-Chair (FLX Works—mixed-use projects, with apartments for young professionals and an incubator kitchen for food related start-ups)

Kiva VanDerGeest /Rome—Community and Economic Development Planner, City of Rome

Student Perspective: Following the panel presentations, SUNY Oswego students will ask questions of the panelists relative to their age cohort’s housing and community preferences. Students may also address SUNY Oswego’s Fresh Water for All inter-disciplinary curriculum.

Concluding Comments:

SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley

Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton

RECEPTION TO FOLLOW AT OLD CITY HALL RESTAURANT
WATER STREET, OSWEGO, NY 13126

OSWEGO D.R.I. PROJECT TOUR CONDUCTED BY MAYOR WILLIAM J. BARLOW

 

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Fake News & The Erie Canal!

Newsday had recently published an article that stated the Erie Canal’s Future uncertain. Fact or fake news?

I am here to tell you the Erie Canal System is alive and well. 2017 starts an 8-year celebration of the bicentennial of the building of the Canal. The Erie Canal was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Governor Cuomo has just placed the NYS Canal Corporation, the state agency responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Canal System under the control of the New York Power Authority. The power authority generates their revenue through electrical power generation and power transmission. There are currently three hydroelectric plants on the Erie with another 27 that could once again begin to contribute electric to the grid. The NYS Canal System uses no tax payer dollars for its operation. That’s correct. The operation of the Erie Canal without doubt the greatest recreational resource in NYS requires no tax payer resources. To further dispel any further rumors, the NYS Canal System is protected under article 15 in the NYS constitution. No one’s filling in the ditch!!

Whether you’re a boater, a biker or a fan of road trips The Erie Canal Corridor has it all. There are 524 miles of navigable water ways. The Canalway trail spans from Buffalo to Albany and is the home of the 8-day bicycle trip across the state that is held each July sponsored by Parks and Trails NY.   Did you know that if you started a boat trip in Waterford, where the Erie meets the Hudson that the first two miles will lift you over 160’. that is the largest rise of any navigable waterway in the world. Did you know that the 55 locks on the current canal system are all using the same technology that they did 100 years ago.

A trip to the NYS Canal system allows for a trip through history from the opening of the original canal back in 1825 to the communities of today

Organizations such as Canal NY, a nonprofit comprised of businesses and community organizations from throughout the canal corridor who are dedicated to the promotion of the Canal. They have just launched a new web site called www.discovertheeriecanal.com   “the tourism site of the Erie Canal” Which will allow for visitors to the canal system to learn about and plan a trip to the region.

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Floating Homes Along The Erie Canal

The Erie Canal, the eighth wonder of the world is currently celebrating the bi-centennial of its creation. It is one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world and it might be the most underutilized recreational resource within New York State. Organizations such as Canal NY actively work to promote the system as well as the businesses within the Erie Canal Corridor.

Erie Canal Floating homes is a program designed to

                1)Promote increased use of the Canal

                2)Enhance economic impact throughout the communities within the Erie Canal Corridor.

It’s all about the water right, and getting out on the water is the number one way to experience the canal.

People utilize the canal in three ways.

  • Boaters travel the Canal on their own boats, they visit communities along the Canal, on vacations and long weekends,
  •  They spend time on their boats at their home port marinas, or they use their boats as day boats for being out on the lakes, for activities such as fishing, tubing, raft ups at swim areas, or visiting dock & dines
  • People looking to visit the Canal can take advantage of day trips provided by tour operators, or even rent a boat for a week or more and chart their own course on the Canal.

The biggest challenge to boating the canal is time, the time necessary to experience the Canal.

The idea of encouraging the use of floating homes along the Canal system to allow for more tourists to travel to and experience the Canal is exciting.

There are basically two different types of docking opportunities available to transient boaters, the first are from the communities along the Canal System that offer boaters the opportunities to spend the night, visit the community and avail themselves of the resources within these communities.  The second docking opportunity comes from the marinas that are in close proximity to the communities, this dynamic sometimes puts these two entities in direct competition with each other and in some communities has forced the elimination of the amenities normally available to the boater

“House Boat” from Destination Yachts

What if these marinas had the ability to fill their slips, maybe even utilize areas of these facilities that have proved difficult in the past, such as those areas that have access issues or low water depth.

What about marinas located in areas where transient boaters typically have passed them by? What about areas of the Canal that have been totally ignored by companies investing in similar businesses. Are there portions of the Canal that the State would like to see economic impact improvements within? Are there locations which once housed marinas that could be re-opened. These marinas could be much simpler to construct. They wouldn’t need fueling infrastructure, they wouldn’t even need to be constructed with travel lifts, the floating homes could be easily lifted out of the water after the season by the use of a crane hired for a day to lift out all the boats and place them on shore, same process could be done in the spring. Boats could be built with lift points built in place to simplify the process.

These boats could also be placed in areas that have been identified as flood plains and other areas where construction has proved to be challenging!

Sanitation for these boats could be built using a site wide pump out system connected to either a municipal sewer system or onsite treatment plant. The technology even exists to install a system that incinerates all liquid and solid waste and the results are a small amount of sterile ash that can be removed once a week or so for those areas that are truly remote.

Aqua-Lodges available from Catamarine Cruisers

These boats could be purchased by individuals for docking in existing marinas or waterfront campgrounds, or by the marinas themselves to be placed in rental fleets  

The Canal systems could easily accommodate 100 boats or more throughout the 524 miles of waterway. Each of these boats could generate thousands of dollars annually to a marina from docking and storage revenues. Organizations which wanted to own and operate rental units could be placed in systems such as Airbnb or VRBO.  Boats placed in marinas could generate additional revenue such as pontoon or fishing boat rentals, or create opportunities for marinas to update their facilities like adding a workout room or maybe even a pool.

Another version of a floating community is located in Clinton Ohio at a marina just off of Lake Erie, these floating homes are set up a little different and allow each owner the ability to park a boat adjacent to their floating homes as part of their monthly slip fees.

Lakeside Marina in Port Clinton Ohio
Ranch from Eco Sea Cottages

Floating Homes originated on the west coast in cities like Seattle, and a company call eco-sea cottages has created a product that can be delivered to any city or town in the country and will even locate a slip for your boat should you wish to purchase from them.  They too offer outboard engine and steering packages which would allow you to move a boat in limited situations.  For more info visit their web site www.eco-seacottages.com

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Locktoberfest on the Erie Canal

Locktoberfest

Locktoberfest is a NYS Canal Corporation sponsored series of events located throughout the Erie Canal corridor. This year is no different with events located in five communities on all 4 sections of the Canal

Lockport located on the western section of the Erie Canal. Locktoberfest in Lockport is scheduled for Sept. 30th from the hours of 12 noon – 6 pm. A celebration of their local heritage, their farms, food, crafts, and community all built on the shores of the Erie Canal. For more info on the event in Lockport visit their web site at www.locktoberfest.org.

 

Seneca Falls hosts there first annual Locktoberfest celebration on Oct. 7th. The event is scheduled to last all day with vendors, music, food, and boats.

This will be the last weekend of boating on the Canals and Seneca Falls will be the place for boaters as Seneca Falls welcomes boaters with more than 900’ of docking available. Free electric, wi-fi and boater amenity center all make for a great experience while visiting Seneca Falls

 

Rome, where the first shovel for construction of the canal 200 years ago went into the ground celebrates Locktoberfest on Oct. 7th from 11 am. – 8 pm. Rome celebrates Locktoberfest on the waterfront in Bellamy Harbor. Craft Beer and Wine Tent, Food Trucks, Pony Rides, and celebrate the grand opening of the Navigation Center and the lighting of the Water Tower at 6pm.   More info at [email protected]

 

Phoenix home of the bridge house brats celebrates Locktoberfest on Oct. 7th. Their event runs from 11 am – 8 pm. Visit the Stage Street Food Court which will be featuring over 30 food trucks & vendors offering $1.00 samples and full menus of festival favorites.

Two full Beer & Wine Gardens including NY’s finest craft beers, ciders, wine, slushies, smoothies and more!

Live music will be featured during the event on the Great Outdoors main stage along with acts appearing on their new second stage located on the northern end of State Street.

Countless Crafters and artisans will be on hand selling locally made unique creations!!

 

Fort Edward on the Champlain Canal celebrates on Oct. 14th. with an all-day event.

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Historic Palmyra’s Pirate Weekend Aug. 11th & 12th!

Historic Palmyra’s Pirate Weekend is all set for Friday & Saturday August 11th & 12th. The Pirates of the Erie Canal invade the Port of Palmyra Marina and other venues throughout the Village of Palmyra, bearing a boatload of fun for all ages. A full weekend of adventure and action is planned including: FREE Movie in the park on Friday night at Dusk. (Princess Bride…new for this year!!!) On Saturday, a Pirate Regatta Bed Race, Pirate & Kazoo Band Parade, Painted windows along Main St., BIG Vehicles to climb, Chicken BBQ, Canal Boat Rides, Dunking booth, Old time photos, (We’ll let you borrow pirate gear if you don’t have any!) Vendors and Artisans. Puppy Parade, Historic Palmyra Museums and Walking tours, pirate tales, live music, food, and artisan vendors, children’s games, Healthy Living Treasure Hunt’ Jolly Roger 5K race (to benefit Pal-Mac Select Choir!) and much more. Dress Like A Pirate and join the parade!! Don’t forget to bring home some swag from the Pirates Bazaar, a sidewalk sales extravaganza from Palmyra’s Main Street merchants. Pre-Built pirate beds available to borrow for the bed-race-teams of 5, age 16 years and older please. Visit www.eriecanalpirates.com for details and complete schedule of call William Unterborn at (585)368-8081

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Seneca Falls

 

Seneca Falls NY finds itself at the crossroads of the Finger Lakes region. Located between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, Seneca Falls also finds itself at the crossroads of History. The Women’s Rights movement was founded in Seneca Falls in 1948, that world changing event is celebrated every day at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. The Wesleyan chapel the scene of that first convention has been restored and visitors to the Historical Park can learn about those events every day.

Seneca Falls also finds itself as the home of the Women’s Hall of Fame, the new headquarters for that venue will be open in 2018 in the restored Seneca Knitting Mills building located directly on the Erie Canal.

The Seneca Falls Heritage Area interprets the village’s development and role in the Reform Movements of the 19th. century. The area features a classic main street, a well-appointed harbor on The Cayuga-Seneca Canal, as well as many historic homes and architecturally interesting neighborhoods. The Heritage Area’s visitor center serves as an orientation point for local and regional history, providing an historical overview and information on various area attractions.

The Seneca Museum of Waterways & Industry is located at 89 Fall Street in the middle of historic downtown Seneca Falls and serves as a point of interest for local and regional history. The Museum provides a historical overview illustrating how the Seneca River and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal powered the rise of industry and fostered cultural development.

History continues at the Historical Society Museum located at 55 Cayuga Street in Seneca Falls in a home with long and varied history. The original structure was built in 1823 as a one room wooden house. Edward Mynderse son of the early land developer Colonel Wilhelmus Mynderse erected a two-story brick structure around 1855 on the site. The Historical Society bought the building in 1961 and the house you see today has undergone no major changes since the 1880’s

Frank J. Ludovico Sculpture Trail lies along the south side of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal leading west along the Canal from the village. The Trail’s Visitors and Arts Center is located at 61 Ovid Street, Route 414 in Seneca Falls.

Seneca Falls is also rumored to have been the inspiration for Frank Capra’s Classic movie it’s a wonderful life. Frank Capra was thought to have spent time in Seneca Falls prior to the production of the movie, a visitor to the town can identify many venues similar to those in the movie. Seneca Falls celebrates the movie with a celebration during early December each year. The It’s a Wonderful Life Museum is in downtown Seneca Falls, for more information visit their web site at www.therealbedrordfalls.com

One of the most photographed venues in Seneca Falls is the Trinity Episcopal Church. Built in 1885 in the Anglo-Gothic style. It is famous for its rising tower and stained glass some of which were made by the Louis Tiffany Studios. The Church is located at 27 Fall Street along the western end of Van Cleef Lake.

The Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, home of the women’s rights leader, is open for guided tours by the National Service Rangers.

Seneca Falls offers visitors of all kinds a complete experience, whether you arrive by boat and utilize any of the more than 900’ of docking space, equipped with electrical, water, Wi-Fi and a boater amenities center which includes bathrooms, lounge, showers and laundry all available to the boater for FREE, bicyclists and hikers can enjoy the same level of experience and they travel through Seneca Falls,

Seneca Falls surrounded by more than 70 wineries connects to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the Kueka Lake Wine Trail as well as the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail.

For a visitor Seneca Falls enjoys many restaurants, hotels/motels, bed & breakfasts as well as historical sites and museums some of which are highlighted above.

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The Erie Canal And The Birth Of American Religion

 

 SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 at 1:00 PM

THE ERIE CANAL AND THE BIRTH OF AMERICAN RELIGION

Brent Rodriguez-Plate explores the religious life established by the Erie Canal, and the ways it influenced religiosity across the continent, and across the globe. Within 25 years of its opening, the Erie Canal cultivated extraordinary experimental spiritual groups including the Mormons, the Adventists, Spiritualism, a revived Apocalypticism, utopian communal societies such as the Oneida Community, with the Amana Colony and Shakers passing through, as well as the emotion-laden revivals of the Second Great Awakening. The Canal also engendered the religiously infused social movements of abolition, women’s suffrage, and temperance. And because of its key location and function as the link between East and West, the repercussions of canal-formed spiritual experiments rippled across the continent with westward expansion, creating unique currents of religion in the United States into the present day.

Brent Rodriguez-Plate’s teachings and writings explore relations between sensual life and spiritual life. He is a writer, editor, public speaker, and visiting associate professor of religious studies at Hamilton College. He has authored or edited fifteen books, and his writing has appeared in The Washington PostThe Christian CenturyThe Islamic MonthlyAmericaLos Angeles Review of BooksReligion Dispatches, and other places.

This program takes place in the center’s main gallery on Saturday, December 16 starting at 1:00 PM.

The Oneida County History Center, formerly the Oneida County Historical Society, is a private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit educational institution and is dedicated to preserving history and promoting the culture of the Greater Mohawk Valley. Admission to this program is free for the general public; donations are encouraged. Please contact the center at 315-735-3642 or visit the OCHC website (www.oneidacountyhistory.org) or Facebook.com page for additional information.

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