Canal Powers Expansion (05:01)

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The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 enabled the American empire to grow, fueling development in Upstate New York and much of the Midwest. The press called the project a waste of money.

Transporting Goods (04:04)

The Erie Canal paved the way for farming towns in Upstate New York to become centers of industry. Ore came from the West and was converted into steel by generations of laborers.

Center of Industry (06:26)

New Yorkers realized if they built a canal from the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, the city would be the most prosperous port in America. Signs of the industry that thrived started to disappear in the early 20th century.

Activism and Industrial Decline (04:34)

There was increased advocacy for the rights of blacks and women in Upstate New York in the 1840s. A large convention on women’s rights occurred in Seneca Falls in 1848. The region suffered deindustrialization in the 20th century as mill owners sought cheaper labor elsewhere.

Shipping and Storing Grain (07:12)

The Erie Canal reduced shipping costs by 90%, turning New York into the most important industrial hub on the continent. It led to the development of better grain elevators, allowing Buffalo to become the world's greatest grain port.

Revitalization Begins (02:48)

A major waterfront project was developed to revitalize the Erie Canal’s western terminus. The Flight of Five locks were restored and the Seneca Knitting Mill became the Knitting Hall of Fame.

Credits: Boom and Bust (00:48)

Credits: Boom and Bust