Canal ice permits

This bound volume contains canal ice permits, which allowed people to extract ice from canals during the seasonal navigational suspension period. Most of those who applied for and received permits came from the Capital District area, particularly Watervliet, Green Island and Cohoes. Many were individual men, though a few women and several industries applied for and received ice permits as well. Those requesting ice permits typically wanted to extract ice from the Erie Canal, though permits were granted for the Mohawk Basin and Watervliet Basin as well.

Each permit follows a form layout. The top of the permit names the individual who submitted the application for the ice permit and the city in which that person resided. The rest of the permit states that the individual or company was granted permission to use the canal or basin under the following conditions: (1) Any damage to canal banks or structures be repaired before the start of the navigation season; (2) A fee of $25 be paid for every acre of surface of ice covered by the permit; and (3) A description be submitted of the location the individual or company planned to use and how much ice they planned to take. The written or typed description would be attached.

In addition to the vast amount of permits found in this series, there are also two letters addressed to the Superintendent of Public Works from men asking for ice permits.

Series B0335, Expense records and receipts from granting ice permits, contains related records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.