Uncovering Historic Lockport’s Mill Race - Article 1 by Dr. Scott Geise

Now that our kids are finally back to school, it is time that we all learned a little more about some of the history that lurks right outside our own backdoors. This series is dedicated to the rich history of Lockport, a city that is often referred to as being “Born of the Canal”, and how that masterpiece of engineering led to the development of the very place we live. The series will highlight some of the most interesting and overlooked structures that were built in the area, and will also attempt to put some light on some of the most remarkable individuals of the period, and how their contributions led to the ultimate completion of what is now being considered one of the most important human-built waterways in the History of Mankind.

It was the early 1800’s, and our fledgling Nation was just beginning to be recognized as the land of opportunity. New York State’s Governor, George Clinton, had been in his political seat since 1777, and he was often referred to as the “Father of New York State,” and for good reason. He had seen and controlled the growth of New York as a Colony for over 25 years, and was experienced in all sides of the issues that had led up to the Revolutionary War.

In 1804, Clinton’s dream of political advancement came true and he was elected into the coveted Vice Presidential seat alongside President Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd President. Jefferson, as you may remember, was also the man who formerly wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Clinton stayed on and served a second term as Vice President alongside James Madison, our 4th President of the United States. James Madison also contributed very dearly to our past by authoring the “Bill of Rights” which we now consider the first 10 Amendments to our Constitution. Madison had been Jefferson’s Secretary of State, and he had been instrumental during the Louisiana Purchase from France, and that foresight had essentially doubled the size of the Nation, giving the growing populations of the original 13 Colonies the opportunity to expand. In 1809, a proposal was submitted to facilitate that expansion westward.

Lewis and Clark, the explorers that we also learned about in Grade School, were appointed to map out the newly acquired territory, and all thoughts were now focused on a larger Nation. The best way to help Americans settle westward was through the transport of goods from the ports along the Atlantic Seaboard, to the vast stretches of the Great Lakes, into the Ohio Valley and down along the Mississippi River.

The concept of utilizing inland waterways led to the creation of the Erie Canal Commission in 1810. The Commission would investigate a route by which a navigable water way could be developed from the Hudson River, across the State of New York, and on towards the Great Lakes. The key was to connect to Lake Erie, and avoid Lake Ontario where conflicts with the British were beginning to happen all over again.

New York State, and in particular, New York City, were uniquely positioned to become the premier port for trade along the Atlantic Coast, and the Clinton’s had the vision and the political power to make it happen.

So the Commission was eagerly appointed, but very few people believed that a project of this magnitude could ever be completed. A Canal of this type received a lot of criticism for it’s feasibility, especially and most notably from the former 3rd President. Jefferson is frequently quoted as saying that the plan was “a little short of madness.” That comment was essentially coming from a reporter of that time, but Jefferson later confirmed that he had “no doubt” that he had said them, but did not remember actually uttering them. Jefferson had gone on to say that the proposal was impractical at the time, and that “it was a Century too soon to make the attempt.” (Jefferson to Dewitt Clinton, Monticello, December 12, 1822. Polygraph copy available online with the Library of Congress.)

That Erie Canal Commission, the people who actually made the decision to take it’s present route, and to bring a man-made canal through our backyards, was comprised of some of the most interesting people in the History of the United States. They were not discouraged by all of the naysayers, and held fast to their mission, and you wouldn’t believe who those people were. One of them happened to be the Vice President’s nephew, Dewitt Clinton, the namesake for “Clinton’s Ditch”, and next time we will explore the challenges he and the Erie Canal Commission faced, and how Dewitt Clinton’s unrelenting drive made the Erie Canal a reality.

Until next time,

Dr. Scott Geise

Historic Lockport Mill Race Corporation

“Preserving and Promoting Lockport’s Most Overlooked Assets”

(Article research through Wikipedia online, and the Lockport Public Library)