Original maps of surveys for the Erie Canal

Geographic (west to east).

James Geddes was appointed engineer in charge of the survey by the Commissioners appointed under legislation of 1816. He was instructed to survey and map a route for the canal which, west of the Genesee River, was somewhat to the north of the route he had surveyed in 1808.

This map and profile in ink and water color of the proposed route for the Erie Canal was made by James Geddes in 1817.

On a scale of 10 chains = 1 inch, the map shows: proposed line of the canal (in green); roads; houses; mills; settlements; streams, ponds, and lakes; steep terrain; swamps and marshes; town and lot lines; and other features adjacent to the canal route.

The area mapped extends from the "Tonewanta Creek" east to the outlet of Mud Creek in the "Great Cayuga Marsh" (Montezuma). At that point a note indicates that the survey was continued by Benjamin Wright (survey not in this series). The map and profile occupy 19 double-page sheets, and at the end is a map of the entire route.

Series A0850, State Engineer and Surveyor's maps of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation, and Series A0853, State Engineer and Surveyor's maps and plans for the Hudson and Champlain Improvement survey, contain related maps.

Folder list.

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