Today the Erie Canal stands as an indelible symbol of the ingenuity and ambition of Americans. Located at the western terminus of the canal and considered the “Gateway to the West,” the port city of Buffalo is both a testament to and beneficiary of the canal’s power.

The Erie Canal is a historic canal in upstate New York that runs east–west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, vastly reducing the costs of transporting people and goods across the Appalachians.

At the time of the original Erie Canal’s construction, in the early 19th century, the big question to be answered was, “Where will the Canal connect to Lake Erie?” A fierce battle ensued, between the villages of Buffalo and Black Rock.

Tour the Old Erie Canal -- A journey from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east by way of a clickable map of the Erie Canal path, and incorporating material from both the Images and Traces sections with additional material.

The 363-mile Erie Canal was begun at Rome, New York, on July 4, 1817. and officially opened with a grand parade of boats from Buffalo to New York City on October 26, 1825.

Yet shortly after the locks opened in 1825, completing a man-made waterway that connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, the critics were silenced, and the Erie Canal, one of the greatest...

Commemorate the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary at Canalside with engaging exhibits, immersive shows, and exciting events. Discover the canal’s rich history and plan your visit.

2025年3月21日 · Taking advantage of the Mohawk River gap in the Appalachian Mountains, the Erie Canal, 363 miles (584 km) long, was the first canal in the United States to connect western waterways with the Atlantic Ocean. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825.

The Erie Canal is a major component of the New York State Canal System and has operated continuously every navigation season since 1825. The 524-mile inland water route ascends 571 feet from Waterford to Buffalo.

2025年3月4日 · Buffalo, a city steeped in industrial history, is gearing up to celebrate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal this summer. Once the world’s largest grain port, Buffalo thrived as a vital hub of commerce, thanks to the canal’s waterway, which helped shape the …