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When did construction of the Erie Canal begin?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map showing the route of the Erie Canal across New York state, running from Buffalo on Lake Erie in the west through cities including Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Albany, and ending at the Hudson River near Troy and Cohoes. The map also highlights nearby lakes, connecting canals, and major waterways in the region.
Erie Canal

Construction of the Erie Canal officially began on July 4, 1817, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in Rome, New York, officiated by Governor DeWitt Clinton.1