Finding Aid Search

Title

Barge Canal land appropriation files

Series Number

22561

Summary

The land appropriation files contain comprehensive legal documentation of the process by which the state acquired lands for the Barge Canal system (pursuant to Laws of 1909, Chapter 391, as amended), and of the state's title to those lands. The files document not only the transfer of legal title to the state (i.e. the deed), but also the title and lien history of the property, the negotiations with the landowner, and the review and approval by control agencies - Offices of the State Comptroller and Attorney General. All of this documentation is important for confirming that due process was observed and that the owner was justly, fairly compensated for the property taken by the state. In addition, the records thoroughly document an important government function, the appropriation of private property for a public purpose, in this case for the Barge Canal.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Preliminary computational studies for Barge Canal construction

Series Number

A4419

Summary

The series consists of computational studies, emphasizing hydrological data, for canal construction and the effect of the canal system on adjacent property. Records include: survey computations; baseline data; a revised estimate of quantities and cost for enlarging the canal through the western division; material relating to the canal at Clyde, Newark, and Lyons such as engineers' report on damage claims and newspaper briefs on Clyde River floods; and base line survey computations from Hurds Bridge to Sulphur Guard Lock.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Blueprint copies of maps of lands permanently appropriated by the State of New York for the use of the Barge Canal

Series Number

B0214

Summary

This series documents the responsibilities of the Superintendent of Public Works relating to the appropriation of land for canal use. It includes appropriation maps; descriptions of appropriated lands; certificates of filing; and notices and affidavits served on property owners. Maps provide a detailed view of the property to be appropriated; and a detailed narrative description of lands to be appropriated, including the names of property owners and often those of adjoining property owners.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

State Engineer and Surveyor Barge Canal contract estimates

Series Number

A4416

Summary

The series consists of preliminary, monthly and final estimates for construction contracts let for Barge Canal projects primarily for Western Division locations near Rochester, Holley, and the Genesee Valley Park. Information typically includes station number; computations of earth, rock and embankment excavations (in cubic feet and cubic yards) and comparisons of quantities. Also included are blueprints of cross sections. Each volume includes an index.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Estimates for canal enlargements at Little Falls

Series Number

A4415

Summary

This series consists of estimate about the Erie Canal enlargements near or at Little Falls, New York. Computations usually have headings of the section surveyed and a description of the structure or site for which measurements are given. Also included are small drawings/cross-sectional diagrams of lining ditches behind the canal wall throughout the records. Information typically includes station number; sounding measurements of river; distances from/to canal (longitudinal and transverse) and water levels at river.

Creator

• New York (State). Surveyor General

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Canal system contract agreements and specifications

Series Number

B0216

Summary

Consisting of state contracts for canal improvements prior to the construction of the Barge Canal, included are agreements and specifications, financial statements of bonding companies, general contracts, maps, tracings, drawings, correspondence, and bid proposals. Most of the contracts deal with: lengthening of locks on the Erie and Oswego canals; attempts to enlarge the Champlain Canal; introduction of electricity to towage; second enlargement of the canals; and early stages of Barge Canal construction or the third enlargement.

Creator

• New York (State). Superintendent of Public Works

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Survey map of extension of Genesee Valley Canal from Olean to Mill Grove Pond

Series Number

A0854

Summary

This is a map of survey lines for a 6.7 mile extension of the Genesee Valley Canal from Olean to Mill Grove Pond. Authorized in 1857 and brought into use in August 1859, the map includes names of villages; property owners along the proposed extension route; significant buildings; locks; tollgates; survey stations; topographic shadings; woodland areas; and bodies of water.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps, blueprints, tracings, diagrams, plans, and cross sections of canal structures and sites

Series Number

B0171

Summary

These records primarily concern the Barge Canal system and its feeders. Series also contains items depicting the old Erie Canal and other canals such as the Black River Canal. Maps depict various canal structures such as bridges, diversion channels, dams, sewers, locks, culverts, stop gates, and aqueducts. Also shown are land patents, locations of towns and villages, land claims, towpath locations, roads, and streets in cities adjacent to canals.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Final estimate book for several Barge Canal Middle Division contracts

Series Number

B1354

Creator

• New York (State). Superintendent of Public Works

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Copies of maps of location and construction of the state's canal system showing enlarged Erie Canal

Series Number

B1510

Summary

This series consists of a fragmentary volume of color copy tracings, derived from State Engineer and Surveyor Map and Plan Books of the Location and Construction of the State's Canal System, depicting the enlarged Erie Canal extending from western Montgomery County to eastern Oneida County. Information in the tracings may differ from that in the original paper maps.

Creator

• New York (State). Executive Department

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Preliminary estimates for Erie Canal enlargement

Series Number

A4418

Summary

The series consists of reports representing work histories estimating construction costs of the enlarged Erie Canal in the Western Division when construction resumed after a state fiscal crisis. Some estimates relate to contracting out repairs beginning in the 1850s or to feeder canals. Included are tables showing character of work; length; number of structures; engineer's estimate; estimate at contract prices; amount done; and amount remaining.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Maps, drawings, and blueprints related to state waterways and canals

Series Number

10448

Summary

This series contains maps, profiles, tracings, sketches, plans, drawings, blueprints, and a small quantity of related charts and correspondence relating to the State's canals, feeders, and/or various waterways. Included are profiles of canals and rivers; cross sections of actual and proposed canal and railroad lines; and canal section sketches of the location of canals and drainage patterns.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Contract plans relating to improvement of the Erie and Oswego canals

Series Number

B0395

Summary

Consisting mostly of maps, drawings, specifications, and related material, these plans show proposed work for which contracts were let during the "Nine Million Dollar Improvement" of the Erie and Oswego canals. In addition to particulars of a job site (elevations, structures, proposed improvements), the maps sometimes show boundaries of state-owned property, type of business (store, barber, mill, etc.), and name of businesses or property owners.

Creator

• New York (State). State Engineer and Surveyor

Access Restrictions

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