Happy 100th birthday, Erie Canal!

View east of eastbound Lockport on the Erie Canal by W.H. Bartlett, 1839

On Sept. 12, PBS will air a special presentation: "Erie--the Canal that Made America.":

"Agriculture is New York State’s #1 industry, and the Canal is a source of water for irrigation for farmers, including the Hurd Family, whose farming roots along the Erie Canal date back to the 1830s. Today, water from the Canal irrigates the family orchards."

http://www.wcny.org/television/erie-the-canal-that-made-america/

Construction on the Erie Canal began in 1817, a century ago, when the USA was just beginning its industrial development. Called "Clinton's Ditch," the project had many detractors, but its economic impact was enormous.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal

And they even wrote a song about it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIIM1mHfJ0U