Travelling over 363 miles in length, the Erie Canal completes a navigable water route leading from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Great Lakes. Before its establishment people had to rely on carts pulled by draft animals. The canal eliminated the need for portage, which made travelling much more convenient.
On this day October 26th, in 1825, in upstate New York, The Erie Canal opens connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River. For the first time in history people could travel between the eastern shore and the western interior with ease. By creating such an efficient system, transportation costs were reduced by 95% and helped foster a population surge in Western New York State.
In its day, it allowed for more food to be transferred and opened trading opportunities. Ethnic minorities built communities along the canals’ route fostering huge economic growth. Today the Erie Canal belongs to the New York State Canal System and is mostly used by recreational watercraft, although it is still used for commercial purposes when needed.