New York State Canals: A Short History

By F. Daniel Larkin

New York's Erie Canal has long been heralded in story and song and the legendary waterway is well known to people throughout the world. Far fewer, though, are aware of the vast 524-mile canal network... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0935796908
• ISBN13: 9780935796902
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Purple Mountain Pr Ltd
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

History lesson and travelogue

The first three decades of the 19th century was the heyday of canal construction in the United States. Overland transport was not practical for large, heavy loads -and this posed a real obstacle for those wishing to colonize the interior of North America and establish commerce. To be sure, the continent is blessed with a lot of navigable natural waterways, but for places where Mother Nature has not provided convenient access, canals could be built. Thomas Jefferson opined hopefully that an elaborate network of canals might one day stretch deep into the continent, linking farmers and artisans with the mighty Mississipi, which dominated most of his "Loisiana Purchase". The most famous American canal is the Erie, which facilitated trade between New York City and then-boomtown Buffalo, NY. It was an economic and engineering marvel in its day, and -who knows- if trains hadn't been introduced shortly after completion of the Erie, maybe other great canals would have followed. Of course trains did come along, were much cheaper to build, and offered speed canals could not compete with. The era of canals was over by the 1850's...but not before a legion of smaller, lesser-known canals had been contructed. Strewn across much of New York State are the remnants of those bygone days. Today, an avid cyclist or hiker can follow some of the minor New York State canals for miles, often in very picturesqe settings. In fact, if you find yourself in central New York state, his book is very useful as a trip planner.

A brief history of the New York canal system

This is a brief history of the New York State Canal system. While the Erie Canal is by far the most successful and famous canal, many other were constructed during the canal building era, not all were successful or wise. This book is a history of the canals that were built and their evolution into the 1990's. This is a must read book for anyone that has any interest in New York State history.

One of Dr. Larkin's Best

This book is an excellent work on the impact of canals on early American life in New York. Extremely well written and researched it belongs in every library. Easy to read and full of details I would recommend this book 100%. Dr. Larkin is an excellent author and produces excellent texts so if you have a chance to read his other works then do so!! The impact of canals on New York was a key factor in its becomming the Empire State and if you have an interest in NY's history this book is invaluable.Buy it you won't regret it!