Erie Canal from Gild to Dust
T he Erie Canal and the Gilded Age (circa 1870s–1900s) both are representative of the transition in upstate New York. Across New York, the birthplace of America’s early Industrial Revolution, the era Gilded Age was dominated by mega-corporations and early environmental conservation efforts. These contrasting movements in history were monumental in the state both in scale and impact. View on the Erie Canal, John William Hall, 1831. Image Source New York Public Library Digital Collections The Erie Canal was the original catalyst, dubbing New York as the "Empire State" and creating a network of industry from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. When it opened in 1825, this 363-mile engineering marvel cut transportation costs from $100 to just $10 per ton. It would transform New York City into the country's undisputed financial and commercial hub while sparking the rise of boomtowns across upstate New York like Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, Little Falls, and Syracuse. By...
