The Erie Canal

In the early 19th century, New York City was a fast-growing area. It included both farmland and merchants looking for more goods to buy and customers to buy them. But the surrounding land was rugged, with mountains, rocks, and forests. Moving merchandise and people to and from New York City was expensive and difficult. At the same time, more and more residents in the state of New York were interested in traveling around.

In 1808, the Mayor of New York, DeWitt Clinton, proposed an ambitious idea. They would dig a huge canal, wide and deep enough for ships to pass through. The canal would connect the Hudson River (which starts at New York City) and Lake Erie. Once ships reached Lake Erie, they could then connect to the other Great Lakes. This would open up trade with the rest of America and Canada.