On this day, October the 26th, in the year of 1825, the Erie Canal, a canal which connects New York City to Lake Erie (and therefore the greater Great Lakes region), opened.

Running from the shores of Lake Erie in Buffalo to the Hudson River near Albany (both in New York State), the canal brought great economic prosperity and started to make New York City the economic powerhouse that it is today.

 In addition to NYC, many other cities along the canal’s route, such as Rochester and Syracuse, flourished due to the canal.

Even as means of transporting goods evolved (rail), the canal still remained in use with enlargements and expansions.

Though, time did eventually catch up with the canal, with faster routes taking precedence over it.

Today, parts of the Erie Canal are used for recreation and leisure and is remembered as one of America’s greatest achievements (Britannica).