New York State Canal Commissioners Survey Map of Extension of Genesee Valley Canal from Olean to Mill Grove Pond

This single manuscript map shows survey lines drawn for a 6.7 mile extension of the Genesee Valley Canal from Olean to Mill Grove Pond. The map is the product of Chapter 247 of the Laws of 1857, which authorized and required the Canal Commissioners to extend the Genesee Valley Canal from a point near the canal basin at Olean to Mill Grove Pond on the Allegheny River.

Work was to be contracted provided that costs did not exceed $109,000, including payment of damages for land taken and for the diversion of water. No money was to be expended, nor contracts let, until the Canal Commissioners ascertained the exact amount of damages. This was accomplished through a survey that was conducted by the office of the State Engineer and Surveyor, and a subsequent appraisal of the amount of damages by state canal appraisers.

The extension would connect the Genesee Valley Canal with the Allegheny River, and through river and railroad travel a line would open to important coal and timber tracts. In November of 1857 the construction work was put under contract and about 6 miles was completed and brought into use in August of 1859.

The map shows four survey lines (in red ink) labeled "A" through "D" and carries an approval of the line marked "A" and a recommendation, signed by the State Engineer and Surveyor, that it be adopted by the Canal Board. The map also carries a note that line "A" was modified by resolution of the Canal Board to adopt Line "C" as well as a statement of approval by resolution of the Canal Board signed by the auditor. These notations reflect the fact that work was conducted by staff of the State Engineer and Surveyor in 1857, under the direction of the Canal Commissioners, to resurvey the lines run for extension of the canal in the fall of 1856, examining additional routes, estimating quantities, and preparing the work for letting on the line first adopted (line "A") and also on the one subsequently adopted by the Canal Board (line "C"). According to the annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor, this work added considerably to the western division engineering expenses for the canal in 1857.

The map is hand drawn in black and red ink to a scale of six chains per inch and carries the name of William Rumble. In addition to the survey lines, it names villages and property owners along the proposed extension route and shows locations, sometimes by outlines, of significant buildings (e.g., saw mills, warehouses, barns, dwellings) as well as locks (sometimes with lift height in feet), tollgates, and survey stations. Bodies of water shown include the Allegheny River; Olean, Oswego, and Dodge's creeks; and Millgrove Pond. The map also has topographic shadings and drawings indicating woodland areas. It measures 63 x 233 cm within neat lines. A photostatic copy of the map, on four sheets, is also available.

Restricted: Map extremely fragile.Use under supervision or with assistance of archivist due to fragile condition.