Finding Aid Search

Title

Erie and Champlain canals topographic survey maps

Series Number

14068

Summary

Arranged by canal, these maps depict lands adjacent to the Erie and Champlain canals during the time of their enlargement and improvement as the Barge Canal. Included are lines for State-owned land; the towpath; a new channel line; potential flood lines; land elevations and water depths; and boundaries of specific work contracts. Some maps show property lines, owners, and parcel numbers; outlines of buildings; existing canal structures and railroad and telegraph lines; and swamps.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Black River Canal survey maps

Series Number

B1356

Creator

• New York (State). Superintendent of Public Works

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Resident engineers' records for Section 3 of the Barge Canal

Series Number

B1370

Summary

This series documents the construction, maintenance, and expansion of Section 3 of the Barge Canal until it was abolished, and reveals the working relationships of state government and private contractors. Also of interest is documentation of the Oswego-Waterford enlargement program. Records include diaries of resident engineers and section superintendents; correspondence; inspectors' reports; time books; original construction contracts; terminal contracts; construction material estimates; office inventories; lock gage ledgers; and payroll records.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of Public Works. Office of the Superintendent

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps and profiles relating to the Western Division of the Erie and Barge canals

Series Number

B1211

Summary

This series consists of maps, profiles, cross sections, description sheets, and other information documenting work proposed and carried out during the enlargement and improvement of the Western Division of the Erie Canal. Included is proposed work on sections of the lateral canals of the Barge Canal system, especially the Genesee Valley. Maps often note property lines and owners, cultivated land; and significant buildings/structures. Records are restricted due to fragility.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

Restricted due to fragile condition (brittle): use only with assistance of State Archives staff.

Title

Map and plan books of the location and construction of the state's canal system

Series Number

B0292

Summary

These volumes address the enlargement of the Erie and Champlain canals; building of the Oswego, Cayuga and Seneca, Chenango, Black River, and Genesee Valley canals; and appropriation of lands for canal use. They contain drawings, maps, diagrams, tracings, and profiles of much of the State's canal system and its related structures and provide detailed information concerning the location, dimensions, specification, and construction of related canal structures.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps of lands permanently appropriated by the State of New York for the use of the Barge Canal

Series Number

B1808

Summary

The Laws of 1903, Chapter 147 authorized the State Engineer to appropriate lands, structures, and waters for the use of the improved canals (Barge Canal). This series consists of the original linen and paper maps created and maintained by the State Engineer and Surveyor and its succeeding agencies. The bound volumes constitute a five-volume set of maps showing land appropriations made pursuant to Chapter 79 of the Laws of 1895.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of Transportation. Division of Waterways Maintenance

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Abstracts of expenditures for Barge Canal projects authorized by acts of the legislature

Series Number

B1381

Summary

This series documents expenditures for special Barge Canal projects authorized by acts of the legislature. The front of each abstract provides printed heading and typed information concerning the law and chapter that authorized the project, voucher number, to whom paid, for what service or material supplied, amount, warrant number, and file number. The back records file number, abstract number, division section number, date, amount, brief description of services or materials, law and chapter number, and county.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Accounts for expenditures by the Buffalo Harbor Company

Series Number

A1452

Summary

Canal Commissioners were required to take receipts for all expenditures and to settle accounts with the comptroller relating to construction of a harbor or basin at Buffalo and Black Rock (western terminus of the Erie Canal). This series consists of accounts (receipts and bills) for expenditures by the Buffalo Harbor Company. Most accounts are receipts for cash salary payments for labor. Also included are itemized bills for purchases of food, produce, and materials.

Creator

• New York (State). Comptroller's Office

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Bid proposals for construction work on Black River Canal reservoirs

Series Number

A4028

Summary

The Contracting Board let contracts on behalf of the state for canal work. This series consists of transcriptions of proposals to complete Black River Canal reservoirs. Information includes contractor's name, town and county; schedule of projected costs for various tasks and materials; amount of bond given by contractor for payment of laborers' wages; names of persons signing bond; city and date of signing of proposal; and notarization.

Creator

• New York (State). Contracting Board

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Field notes, monthly work, material, and cost estimates and measurements for Erie Canal enlargement

Series Number

11835

Summary

These notes taken by civil engineers and others employee are divided into three subseries. Subseries 1, field notes, provide information recorded during a survey such as tables, pencil sketches, and measurements of structures and supplies. Subseries two, monthly estimates of costs and materials, includes measurements of locks, levels, timber or stone used or needed; and subseries 3, contains measurements of materials needed on hand or used including measurements of iron, stone, gravel, areas to be painted, and of canal sections

Creator

• New York (State). Surveyor General

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Barge Canal plans

Series Number

B1009

Summary

The volume contains plates of plans, drawings, profiles and location maps relating to the improvement and enlargement of the Barge Canal. Locks, dams, and bridges are frequently represented. Generally the plates depict: typical channel sections, prism walls and the types of wall and bank protection employed; locks; power plants; fixed and movable dams and navigation aids. A list of plates in front of volume functions as an index.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Walters Act administrative files

Series Number

B0236

Summary

These files document actions taken by the State Engineer and Surveyor to address contractors applying for assistance under the provisions of the Walters Act. The series includes correspondence, memorandums, journals, financial statements submitted by contractors, cost estimates, and inventories of construction materials. The card index to these files, Series B0241, provides name and subject access.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Western Division canal maps and plans

Series Number

B0380

Summary

This series contains maps and plans that document work done to enlarge, improve, and maintain the channel and structures in the Western Division of the canal system. The series includes maps, drawings, tracings, and blueprints relating to Western Division work.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Sectional canal survey maps of the 1895 improvement of the Erie Canal

Series Number

B0396

Summary

This series consists of detailed sectional maps dating from the 1895 improvement of the Erie Canal. Maps show property and buildings fronting the canal and land tracts on either side of the canal. Information includes property lines and owners; previous canal alignments; locations of ditches, washes, and state land; condition of land; land cultivation and use; natural bodies of water; roads, highways, and railroad platforms and tracks; businesses; and dwellings.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

Restricted: Material extremely fragile; use under supervision of State Archives staff due to fragile condition. Roll 2 should not be unrolled per State Archives conservation staff.

Title

Card index to the Walters Act administrative files

Series Number

B0241

Summary

These 3 x 5 cards arranged alphabetically by last name of correspondent or subject serve as an index to series B0236, Walters Act Administrative Files. The Walters Act was intended to alleviate the heavy financial losses faced by canal contractors due to the economic uncertainty created by America's entry into World War I.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Original and preliminary cross sections for 1895 survey of Erie Canal improvement

Series Number

B0650

Summary

This series consists of hand-drawn cross sections from an 1895 survey done for proposed canal improvements. Various colored lines represents the existing canal bed; proposed improvements; and water level of the canal. Measurements give changes in elevation for use in determining the amount of excavation or fill needed for the improvements. Represented are parts of the middle and western division of the Erie and Oswego canals, along with several prominent feeders.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

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

Card file index to Erie Canal construction and improvements

Series Number

A4425

Summary

This series consists of an incomplete card file that apparently indexes Erie Canal surveys, construction, and/or claims for damage. It may be part may be an index to Middle Division field books (found in series B0730, Engineer's Field Books Pertaining to the Construction of the State's Canal System). Many references are to the period of the second canal enlargement (so-called "9 Million Improvement") in 1896. There are also references to canal feeders and ancillary canals associated with the canal enlargement of 1835-1841.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Card index to locations of Barge Canal construction records

Series Number

B0233

Summary

These index cards, arranged alphabetically by subject, list locations of various Barge Canal construction records, including maps; terminal field books; final contract estimates; and Barge Canal field computation, construction, and cross section books.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Survey records and estimates for proposed Chemung Canal reconstruction

Series Number

B0390

Summary

This series consists of maps, profiles, plans, survey documents, diagrams, estimates, the final report on the proposed improvement of the Chemung Canal. Also included are daily journals of Resident Engineer Louis A. Burns who was in charge of the project and prepared the final report. Also included are maps of Montour Falls and surrounding communities; plans and profiles of the proposed feeder, the proposed new channel; and diagrams of water levels and channel depth.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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