Opening
Ceremonies
Images & Video
Governor Dewitt Clinton and his party riding the Seneca Chief from Buffalo to New York in October of 1825. The Governor was riding a wave of popularity because of the Erie's success. Cannons - including many that had been confiscated from the British during the War of 1812 - were positioned at intervals alongside the route all the way to New York City to create a chain of fire signalling the opening ceremony at Buffalo. The governor suggested that the cannonfire be used to calculate the speed of sound, but that didn't happen.
Governor Clinton pouring Lake Erie water into New York Harbor. There was reason to celebrate! America finally had its trade route to the west! Living standards in areas near the canal were bound to rise, New York City would become the foremost city in America, and the United States was on its way to becoming the leading economic force in the world.
