1880's Canal Boaat

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Canal Boat 1880s Canal Boat 1880s 10USA 10USA CANAL COMPANY CANAL COMPAN OFFA NY APR 11 1987 Banil 14240

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1880'S CANAL BOAT First Day of Issue: April 11, 1987 First Issue Location: Buffalo, New York In the early nineteenth century, it seemed that the Erie Canal, a dream of the future, held the key to western expansion. At a time before the railroads criss-crossed the continent, America's coastal areas and navigable rivers appeared to be the only logical channels of trade and settlement. So, it was decided to build a series of canals from inland areas to tidewaters, circumventing treacherous falls, and joining navigable rivers. In 1817, the State of New York agreed to build the Erie Canal. It was completed in time for its scheduled opening in 1825. At the time, it was the longest canal ever built, spanning 363 miles. In the years to come, the Canal Boats which plied their trade on the Canal were important factors in opening America's West. These Canal Boats, with their wide and low profiles were ideally suited for taking supplies and settlers to the brink of the wilderness, return- ing with produce and meat to be sold in eastern markets. No. 87-12 ©1987 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Basil Smith.