Research


Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of 6 volumes of contract specifications, engineers' estimates and other documents related to the nine million dollar project for the improvement of the Erie, Champlain, and Oswego canals. These records were created by Western Division Engineers Office of the New York State Canal System between 1892 and 1905. An index is included for each volume, either in the front or back. The indexes are organized alphabetically by project, then by the type of record. If a project has both specifications and an estimate, then the page locations of both records are listed underneath the project. The volumes contain carbon copies the aforementioned documents on thin, onionskin paper. Earlier volumes tend to be handwritten while the later volumes are typewritten.

The main types of records in these volumes are specifications and estimates. Specifications describe a project as well as how the project should be completed. They often include a general summary of the project, expectations, earthwork (i.e. grading, removal of trees, excavation, application of broken stone), masonry work, metalwork, inspection by engineer, timeline, and casualty clauses. Estimates include the name and location of the project; quantities, types, and prices of material, cost of labor including creation of plans, supervision, advertising, engineering and the total cost of the project.

Volume 5 in this series is an expense book that outlines the traveling, living, and miscellaneous expenses of the engineers working on these projects from 1902-1905. These documents include the name of the engineer, project on which they were working, date the project started, list of expenses, cost of each expense, and the total cost. This volume includes a name index in the back of the volume.