MILES ON THE ERIE CANAL
A stop in Lockport along the way!
Locks opening.
The tranquil town of Lockport derives its name from the locks constructed as part of the famous Erie Canal, and certainly celebrates that history. But the paths along the canal are perfect for hiking and biking, especially in the spring when the leaves decorate the trees, and fall when they turn red and gold. Further, Lockport’s location near Niagara Falls makes it a double-header of enjoyment—see the town and explore the falls. The Erie Canal was an engineering marvel when it was built, and a necessary one. Prior to its construction, people and goods had no easy route between the Great Lakes at the western end of New York and its more commercial eastern end. The canal dramatically reduced the cost of bringing goods across the country and brought commerce and economic growth along the canal itself. Despite considerable problems and challenges, the canal, which opened in 1825, proved to be one of the country’s most successful public works projects. Goods and people could now flow from the Great Lakes across New York State to the Hudson River then downstate to the port of New York and even the Atlantic Ocean. History of the Canal Building the canal, however, was a complex, long, and dangerous undertaking. Changes in elevation along the route necessitated a system of locks to raise and lower
Story and photos by NEALA MCCARTEN
In 1859, these tunnels used water as a power source.
14 COAST TO COAST SPRING 2017
COAST TO COAST SPRING 2017 15
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