8 Historic U.S. Shipping Canals That Shaped America’s Growth
Historic shipping canals were vital to US trade, transportation & economic growth in the 18th & 19th centuries. While many fell into disuse with the advent of railroads, some have become landmarks of tourism & national importance.
Opened in 1825, this engineering marvel connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, drastically reducing shipping costs and accelerating US westward expansion.
A system of canals and locks, it allows oceangoing ships to navigate from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, supporting over 350,000 jobs and boosting trade across North America.
Completed in 1823, this historic waterway linked the Hudson River to Lake Champlain, playing a key role in early U.S. trade and transportation to Canada.
A complex network of canals built in the early 19th century, it connected Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, supporting trade in coal and lumber across the state.
Known as the "Golden Link," this canal, completed in 1828, provided a crucial route for shipping anthracite coal and lumber between Philadelphia and the Susquehanna River.
Built in the 1830s, this canal shortened the route between Philadelphia and New York, playing a key role in the shipment of Pennsylvania anthracite coal.
This canal was a technological wonder of its time, facilitating the transport of anthracite coal and iron ore from Pennsylvania to New York City in the early 19th century.
Opened in 1828, it connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario, providing a key shipping route between the Atlantic and the Great Lakes, now popular for recreational boating and fishing.t