The Erie Canal: A Transformational Feat
The Erie Canal, a National Historic Monument, has been celebrated for its bicentennial. Two hundred years ago, DeWitt Clinton embarked on a canal boat from Lake Erie, marking the beginning of a new era.
On October, Clinton's vessel, the Seneca Chief, set off from Buffalo, heading east to Albany and then down the Hudson River to New York City. This journey culminated in a ceremonial event, where barrels of Lake Erie water were poured into the Atlantic, dubbed "the Wedding of the Waters."
"the Wedding of the Waters"
This engineering marvel has left a lasting legacy, inspiring young politicians like Abraham Lincoln, who dreamed of becoming "the DeWitt Clinton of Illinois."
Author's summary: The Erie Canal transformed America.