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#Post#: 2406--------------------------------------------------
Visit the Original Erie Canal in your Town, Historical Markers
Show the Way
DIR By: Doug K
Date: March 23, 2023, 10:25 am
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This was a great find, and we are sharing with anyone who's
REALLY interested to see the ORIGINAL version of the Erie Canal,
and learn more about it's history
The canal system we see today is NOT the original canal used by
a Mule named Sal, just an FYI.
The website below has a database that shows all of the
Historical Markers for the Erie Canal, along with any others you
may care to research throughout the country. And when you view
the list of 239 entries of markers related to the Erie Canal,
you will see that these are separated into two kinds of
Historical Markers... some for the ORIGINAL Erie, and some for
the "new & improved" NYS Barge Canal.
[attachimg=5]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Series&SeriesID=172&Page=1
Here's a few of the Erie Canal Historical Markers that we
thought were most interesting:
NO MULES ON THIS CANAL
Located in Rochester, NY, this NYS historical marker states
clearly that the NYS Barge Canal, the one currently running
along the Empire State Trail, was NEVER built for mules to pull
barges. For those that somehow believe otherwise, sorry to
"burst your bubble" as they say. This latest version of the
"Erie" canal was a commercial waterway, built at the turn of the
20th century, to accomodate steam powered barges & tugs
[attachimg=1]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=131796
ERIE CANAL ABANDONED 1920
Here's another from Monroe County, NY, this one in the Town of
Brighton. It shows where the original canal "used to be" and
states clearly that the new Barge Canal replaced it. Very Clear
message here, but unfortunately the original channel is gone at
this location, it's now a parking lot.
[attachimg=2]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=115306
ERIE CANAL CONSTRUCTION
Another historical marker in Oneida County near Rome, this one
does have a small section of original Erie Canal still viewable,
but sadly not in great shape. Notice it's channel size is much
smaller, and no where near the new Barge Canal location, which
bypassed many of these older Erie Canal sections and "original
canal ports".
[attachimg=3]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=11952
CALAMITY SEPT 28, 1859
One of the more interesting historical markers is about a
tightrope walker that was crossing the original Erie Canal in
Orleans County, City of Albion. It tells of the death of over 2
dozen people who were part of many onlookers who clambered onto
a "low bridge" to watch the event. The bridge gave way and
everyone fell into the Erie... horses as well.
Once again, the changes made between the original Erie & new
Barge Canals have transformed many of these villages to a point
where the original Erie is now replaced by streets named Erie
St, Water St, and Canal Rd.
Yes... two canals did exist for a time while when this new one
was under construction, but once the Barge Canal was opened the
original version was simply filled in in some cases or "left to
nature" in others.
[attachimg=4]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=78125
So there you have it, a rather easy way to see both old & new
Erie Canals, simply by following the long line of NYS Historical
Markers that show the two very different routes. Of course there
are many Historical Markers for other significant events or
places, but for the Erie Canal there are only about 785 and more
than 1/3 are in New York State.
And perhaps the best place to see the ORIGINAL Erie Canal, some
filled sections and some overgrown channel, is in the Towns &
Villages that were "abandoned" along the Erie Canal route when
the NYS Barge Canal was created. Towns like Weedsport, Port
Byron & Montezuma still have sections of the Erie that can be
walked, or paddled in a kayak or canoe, even though the NYS
Barge canal bypassed them long ago.
Go read this ECNA Post to see the original Erie Canal we found
in central NY, between Port Byron & Weedsport. There are dozens
and dozens of Erie Canal Historical Markers east Rochester that
show the original route taken, many are just a short ride away
from Rochester or Syracuse
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/ecna-neighborhood-news/a-search-for-the-erie-canal-of-yesterday-guess-what-we-found/
#Post#: 2407--------------------------------------------------
Re: Visit the Original Erie Canal in your Town, Historical
Markers Show the Way
DIR By: Doug K
Date: March 23, 2023, 2:04 pm
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One of the Erie Canal Historical Markers shows a very unique
place to visit, for any Erie Canal enthusiasts. It's in Halfmoon
/ Clifton Park area, just above Albany and just east of
Schenectady, NY. And it's one of the very few places that anyone
can see ALL THREE VERSIONS of the Erie Canal.
[attachimg=1]
HTML https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=12059
There are a few other places to visit right in this area, but
the fact that within a very easy walk you can see the original
Erie canal, and the 1862 Enlarged Erie version side by side is
rather unique. Then a quick trip down the path and there's
today's Erie Canal, which now utilizes the Mohawk River since
the Barge Canal was finished and opened in 1926.
Many of the Erie Canal Historical Markers show the original Erie
Canal, and many also showcase the current NYS Erie/Barge Canal &
Trail. There are very few that talk about the "middle version"
of the Erie, the Civil War era, the enlargement of the canal
from the original 40' wide and 4' deep, to a new Canal that was
70' wide and 7' deep.
[attachimg=2]
HTML https://cpheriecanal.omeka.net/exhibits/show/the-erie-canal-in-saratoga-cou/the-erie-canal-in-halfmoon
Here's the Google Map view showing distances around this nature
area called Vischer Ferry
[attachimg=3]
HTML https://cliftonparkopenspaces.org/locations/vischersferry/
If you happen to go check this place out, please post some
pictures here to share.
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