Finding Aid Search

Title

Inventory of canal "blue line" maps

Series Number

B2543

Summary

This series contains an inventory of the approximately 1,900 "blue line" maps produced by the State Engineer and Surveyor pursuant to Chapter 199, Laws of 1910 and Chapter 51, Laws of 1917. The maps inventoried depict all state owned lands and property prior to improvements effected for the Barge Canal System; the location of state property appropriated for the Barge Canal; and the location of the old canals and related state property in relation to the Barge Canal.

Creator

• New York (State). Division of Canals and Waterways

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Map of the village of Geddes

Series Number

A4276

Summary

This survey map of the village of Geddes, Onondaga County, was created by Deputy Surveyor John Randel, Jr. on the orders of Surveyor General Simeon DeWitt.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Bridge construction planning and supervision files

Series Number

A3258

Summary

This series consists of correspondence between state engineers, bridge builders, and suppliers concerning construction, repairs, or improvements on new or existing bridges over canals, waterways, and streets. They discuss contracts; plan approvals; specifications; construction methods; materials used; measurements; structural load capacity of bridges; testing or inspection of materials; progress of work; flaws in work or materials; and costs. Also included are blueprints and plans for work to be done.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Registers of distribution of expenses to engineers employed on the Western Division of the Barge Canal

Series Number

B0694

Summary

This series consists of two volumes of registers documenting the distribution of expenses to engineers employed on the Western Division of the Barge Canal. Funds were disbursed monthly and the registers include the name of each engineer, the total amount each engineer was paid, the date that the check was written, check number, and comments (certain checks only).

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps of portions of canal lands belonging to the State of New York

Series Number

B1761

Summary

This series consists of approximately 1900 original linen maps produced by the State Engineer and Surveyor. The maps are popularly known as "Blue Line," "Laws of 1910 Maps," and "Abandonment Maps." The maps depict all state owned lands and property prior to improvements completed for the Barge Canal System; the location of state property appropriated for the Barge Canal; and the location of the old canals and related state property in relation to the Barge Canal.

Creator

• New York (State). Division of Canals and Waterways

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Documents relating to canal claims

Series Number

A1441

Summary

This series relates to claims against the state, mostly for money owed on contracts and for damages to property adjacent to the canal. Included are minutes of testimony in cases heard; notices of awards by the canal appraisers; a list of awards for the years 1843-1849; affidavits, notices of appeals, opinions, and briefs relating to canal claims; and a few chattel mortgages on canal boats.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Roll maps and plans of the Middle Division of the Erie Canal

Series Number

B0729

Summary

This series consists of roll survey maps for the enlargement of the Middle Division of the Erie Canal. Maps show red lines; blue lines; sectional divisions; old and new channels; profiles; existing structures; names of property owners; and adjacent roads, streets, and buildings. The series also includes approximately 70 linen tracings of earlier maps. These tracings show the relative positions of the Erie Canal and the later Enlarged Canal, and include names of property owners.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Whiteprint copies of maps of portions of canal lands belonging to the State of New York

Series Number

A0867

Summary

The whiteprint copies of original "blue line" maps are arranged geographically by portfolio then numerically by map number. The maps show boundaries of state-owned lands along the Erie, Champlain, Black River, Cayuga, and Seneca Canals and depict old and new canal lines; structures, streets and adjacent roads; and state and privately owned land. Each portfolio includes full titles. The maps depict in minute detail lands acquired for canal purposes.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

Title

New York State Engineer and Surveyor Barge Canal contract final estimate folios

Series Number

B0393

Summary

The final estimates in this series constitute the official record that specified exactly and in detailed fashion just what was built upon completion of Barge Canal contracts. Contracted work documented in the series includes the construction of such structures as canal locks, bridges, and channels.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Capital District transportation study aerial photographs

Series Number

A0766

Summary

This series documents one of several regional transportation studies undertaken by New York State in compliance with the U.S. Federal Aid Highways Act of 1962. The series consists of 18" x 18" aerial photographs (scale 1:48,000) of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and the Upper Hudson region taken in April and May, 1963. Roads, bodies of water, plots of land, buildings, and trees are visible on these photographs.

Creator

• Adirondack Park Agency (N.Y.). Resource Analysis Unit

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Whiteprint copies of maps of lands permanently appropriated by the state for canal purposes

Series Number

B0252

Summary

This series, known as the "blue line maps," depicts lands acquired for canal purposes up to and including the construction of the Barge Canal. The maps show inner angles of the towpaths on the old canal; state owned property prior to Barge Canal construction; property appropriated for Barge Canal projects; various structures, roads, streets, and other landmarks; and the names of owners of private property adjacent to the canal.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of State

Access Restrictions

Restricted: Some portfolios unusable because of physical condition. Use under supervision or with assistance of archivist due to poor condition.

Title

Engravings of plans, profiles, and maps accompanying the annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor

Series Number

B0248

Summary

This series consists of fifteen printed engravings compiled under the direction of State Engineer and Surveyor, Van R. Richmond by S.H. Sweet, Resident Engineer. The engravings illustrate the "standard models from which are built the important structures on the New York State Canals." The engravings depict timber locks, road bridges, aqueducts, truss bridges, dams, bulkheads, double locks, composite locks, farm bridges, waste weirs, culverts, and discharge pipes.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Scrapbook relating to canal matters

Series Number

B1820

Summary

This series consists of documents relating to the construction and repair of the state's canal system. Included are proceedings of the Board of Canal Commissioners; correspondence between several offices and agencies responsible for canal administration; and a small amount of financial information regarding awards of the Board of Canal Appraisers, awards of the Canal Board, appropriations, and expenditures.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Transportation planning maps

Series Number

A3327

Summary

This series consists of maps that were apparently used to illustrate transportation planning in diverse areas of the state. Two of the maps are county print maps, color annotated to show what appear to be planning districts in Monroe and Westchester counties. A third map is a laminated published color map of the New York City Subway system, with a separate printed note block affixed giving the operating status of various subway lines.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Unidentified maps, plans, and drawings of New York State canals

Series Number

B1023

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Aerial photograph maps of quadrangles in various New York counties

Series Number

B2272

Summary

These aerial photographs depict United States Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangles in Onondaga, Cayuga, Oswego, Broome, Cortland, and Tioga Counties. They include highways, railroads, and municipalities.

Creator

• Adirondack Park Agency (N.Y.). Planning Division

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps, plans, details, and drawings of structures and locations for work on the Erie, Genesee Valley, Chemung, and Oswego canals

Series Number

B0379

Summary

This series documents the planning and estimating work done to various structures along the state's canals. The records include maps and plans of locations and structures for work done on the Erie (Middle and Western divisions only), Genesee Valley, Chemung, and Oswego canals, and at least one sheet relating to the Cayuga and Seneca Canal. The records date from the first canal enlargement through to the start of the canal improvements that became known as the Barge Canal system.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

New York State Engineer and Surveyor drawings of state boundary monuments

Series Number

A4023

Summary

These volumes contain waterpaint drawings of individual boundary monuments and the surrounding landscape marking New York's borders with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. They were produced in conjunction with the State Engineer and Surveyor's triennial examination of previously established boundary markers in 1900. The State Engineer was directed by law to restore or replace damaged or missing markers and to set new ones, if lacking, where the state boundary was intersected by highways or town or county boundaries.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Monthly reports

Series Number

B0232

Summary

These monthly reports detail work contracted for the construction of Barge Canal terminals. The reports provide the contract number, contract description, and a brief narrative of work completed or unusual problems that occurred during the reporting period. Work done in August, September, and November are not present.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Abandoned canal lands and blue line survey files

Series Number

B0215

Summary

These files, arranged by name of municipality where lands were located, consist of maps, correspondence, memorandums, reports, resolutions, descriptions of lands, appraisers' reports of encroachments, revised land appraisals, permits, and records pertaining to "blue line" surveys. Also included is financial information about land value and notes and descriptions regarding structures illegally built on state-owned lands. Land descriptions and appraisal reports contain detailed descriptions and measurements of lands and names of adjoining property owners.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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