Locks on the Erie Canal at Lockport, New York, circa 1840

Summary

The Erie Canal, completed in 1825 between Albany and Buffalo, vastly reduced travel time and freight costs compared to the existing roads. Perhaps the most difficult portion of the canal's construction was at Lockport, where a precipitous 60-foot drop led to the creation of a twin set of cascading locks. The side-by-side locks allowed for traffic in both directions, alleviating bottlenecks.

The Erie Canal, completed in 1825 between Albany and Buffalo, vastly reduced travel time and freight costs compared to the existing roads. Perhaps the most difficult portion of the canal's construction was at Lockport, where a precipitous 60-foot drop led to the creation of a twin set of cascading locks. The side-by-side locks allowed for traffic in both directions, alleviating bottlenecks.

Artifact

Print (Visual work)

Subject Date

circa 1840

Creators

Bartlett, W. H. (William Henry), 1809-1854 

Dick, Archibald L., ca. 1805-ca. 1855 

Creator Notes

Drawn by W. H. Bartlett; engraved by Archibald L. Dick.

Collection Title

Seymour Dunbar Collection 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

82.129.181

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Technique

Steel engraving (Printing process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 5.5 in

Width: 8.5 in

Inscriptions

Printed under image: LOCKPORT, ERIE CANAL / Typed underneath on adhered paper: View from the top of the series of locks on the Erie Canal at Lockport, New / York. / Steel Engraving. / Date: about 1840

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