The Erie Canal

U.S. Landmark Books #34

by Samuel Hopkins Adams

This book is the history of the Erie Canal from its conception to the building. Written in history form, it includes the names of important people along with characteristics. It includes history up to around 1950.

Genres: History, American History, Childrens

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

From the book jacket of "Sunrise to Sunset", (c) 1950
At seventy-nine Samuel Hopkins Adams attributes his longevity, vigor and vim to neither smoking nor drinking, except when he feels like it. This is typical of the intelligent attitude toward the vagaries of life that has maintained him through the years in which he has authored more than forty books, written countless magazine articles and, as a crusading reporter, almost single-handedly accounted for the passage of the Federal Food and Drug laws which pave protected millions of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Adams' amazing knowledge of the history of upper New York State is the result of his lifelong interest in the region in which he was born. His home is Wide Waters, on the shore of Owasco, "loveliest of the Finger Lakes." From Wide Waters he still makes forways into the surrounding countryside, attending antique-auction sales "for the purpose of sneering at the prevalent junk," which he says he wouldn't put in his open hearth Franklin stove for fear of insulting it.

A graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, class of 1891, Mr. Adams introduced football to the campus, played tackle on its first team, and won the Intercollegiate Tennis Championship. For these contributions to scholarship, his college conferred on him the degree of L.H.D. in 1926.

Adams also wrote under the pseudonym Warner Fabian.

Reviews

[Donna Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review
The Erie Canal
By Samuel Hopkins Adams
Illustrated by Leonard Vosburgh
Published in 1953 by Random House, Inc.
Landmark Books #34 for ages 9-12
Hard cover, 179 pages plus index

For young readers and old, this book holds a wealth of information about the Erie Canal, from the decision-making process to build the canal to the boats and captains who plied its waters after its completion. The author uses a combination of factual narrative and fast-paced character dialog to reveal the culture and events for which the canal was famous in the early 1800’s. The chapters run about 7-8 pages in length and put the reader in the wilderness where the canal was to be built, in the camp where the diggers were housed, in the riotous town of Schenectady where packets competed for passengers, in the solid rock at Lockport, and in many other locations and situations that traverse Erie Canal country.

The author, Samuel Hopkins Adams, was an expert on the Erie, having listened to his grandfather’s stories about building and traveling on the canal, and having conducted extensive research into the history of its creation and operation. His other Erie Canal books include Chingo Smith of the Erie Canal (for young adults), Canal Town (a novel for adult readers), and Grandfather Stories (a collection of Erie Canal short stories for young and old).

[Katie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 is the Erie Canal's Bicentennial!

I happened upon this book in a Little Free Library. I moved it aside to grab a children's book for my kids. Then I noticed how old the cover looked--it had a big X on it as well. After noticing the topic, I brought it home.

I found myself enjoying the book immensely, even though it was from, what? 1953? Finished it in 2 days.

I enjoyed the quotes from letters to and from the author's grandfather. Very interesting to read about the canal I grew up with in my hometown.

I would recommend it to anyone interested in this subject.

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually against government projects. However, considering a day without easy transportation, in which journey's were dangerous, in which a project like this would need to follow a budget, and in which a project like this would make back many times its construction cost, I am now convinced that the Erie Canal was a justifiable use of government dollars. If a private company could have done this, it would have been better, though.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most interesting things about this book, is how it is personalized through letters and comments from his grandparents and their contemporaries, who lived during the building of the Erie Canal. In fact, his grandfather and his brother participated in the building of it. These comments really made it come alive.

[Melissa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the history and life around the Erie Canal. Sort of written as a junior high level documentary.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was probably written for young readers give the large type font and the short chapters. But nonetheless, you'll learn a lot about the political battles to fund the canal's initial construction and get the dang thing built.

The Erie Canal was a winner almost from the first month of end-to-end operation. It opened up the West and allowed bi-directional trade to flourish. It will help the reader to imagine a time in our nation without railroads or paved highways. Early on, the primary beneficiaries were freight shippers but pretty soon towns along the way realized the many benefits of the canal and thereby boomed.

The canal opened in 1825. Fortunately Gov. DeWitt Clinton, the chief motive force behind this idea, participating in the opening ceremonies before he fell asleep for the last time in 1828.

An interesting read throughout for anyone interested in pivotal moments of American history.

[VerJean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read. From adult shelf, but more like Jr. High reading.
Info on contracts for digging, building, some of the problems, etc.
Supposedly grandfather had told stories with some of the details.
Until we get started (or even finish !?) "The Wedding of the Waters", this answered some of curiosities.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

To those of you who enjoy history I think you would like this book. It is written like a history book with who, what, when and where. It describes how they did the work. I read this to my husband today and we both enjoyed it.