Why did people consider building a canal across Nicaragua?

The primary motivation for considering a canal across Nicaragua was to create a shorter maritime route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thereby eliminating the need for ships to navigate the long and hazardous journey around South America.1

The proposed route was geographically advantageous because it utilized the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, requiring only a relatively short channel to be excavated through the Rivas Isthmus to reach the Pacific. Interest in this path was further bolstered in 1848 following the discovery of gold in California; Cornelius Vanderbilt established a transit route for prospectors using the river and lake, which demonstrated the practical potential of the region for trans-isthmian travel.2

While the route was long considered a viable alternative to Panama, the eventual completion of the Panama Canal in 1914 led to a decline in interest for a Nicaraguan project.32