NY towns that grow up due to Erie Canal
日志
读书笔记：Stairway to Empire
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2 Asa Whitney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_Whitney_(canal_commissioner)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appletons%27_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_of_American_Biography
The first serious proposal for building a transcontinental railroad was made in 1845.The transcontinental railroad was built in the United States in the 19th century. The construction of this railroad network was considered one of the greatest American technological feats of the 19th century.The idea of a transcontinental railroad was first suggested after the successful construction of the Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River. The idea was to create a faster and cheaper way to travel and transport goods from coast to coast.The first serious proposal for building a transcontinental railroad was made in 1845 by Asa Whitney, a New York merchant. He proposed a railroad that would stretch from Lake Michigan to the Columbia River in Oregon.
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The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, played a transformative role in New York State's economic development. Numerous towns and cities along the canal experienced rapid growth due to increased trade, transportation, and migration. Here are some notable New York towns and cities that grew significantly due to the Erie Canal:
1. Buffalo
- Located at the western terminus of the Erie Canal on Lake Erie, Buffalo quickly became a major shipping and industrial center. It became a critical hub for goods traveling between the Midwest and the Atlantic coast.
2. Rochester
- Known as the "Flour City" in the 19th century, Rochester grew into one of the largest flour-milling centers in the world, thanks to the Erie Canal. It also became a hub for manufacturing and innovation.
3. Syracuse
- Originally a salt-producing settlement, Syracuse grew rapidly because the canal made it easier to transport its valuable salt and other goods. It later diversified into other industries, including steel and manufacturing.
4. Utica
- Utica benefited from its location along the canal and grew as a center of textile manufacturing and trade. It also became a gateway for immigrants and goods moving westward.
5. Albany
- As the eastern terminus of the Erie Canal, Albany became an important commercial center, facilitating the movement of goods between the canal and the Hudson River. This made Albany a critical link between New York City and the interior of the country.
6. Lockport
- Named after the locks built to help the canal navigate the Niagara Escarpment, Lockport grew up specifically due to the canal. The town flourished as an agricultural and industrial center.
7. Troy
- Located just north of Albany, Troy became a key manufacturing city during the canal era, known for its iron works, textile mills, and later, the production of cast-iron stoves.
8. Tonawanda
- Situated near Buffalo, Tonawanda saw a growth spurt due to its proximity to the canal and its role as a shipping point for lumber and other goods heading east.
9. Rome
- Rome, where the first shovel of dirt was turned for the Erie Canal in 1817, saw growth as a transportation hub and a center for trade and manufacturing.
10. Little Falls
- This town, located along the Mohawk River, became an important center for cheese production and other agricultural products, benefiting from its proximity to the canal.
The Erie Canal transformed these towns and others along its route, facilitating New York’s rise as a dominant economic power in the 19th century. The canal allowed for faster, cheaper transportation of goods, which helped towns and cities develop strong local economies and connect to national and international markets.
