Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of records related to the letting of contracts for work on canals in the Western Division of the canal system. Many of the records in this series are related to the enlargement of the Erie Canal which occurred between 1836 and 1862. Other records are related to general repair or improvement of either the Erie or Genesee Valley Canal.

The types of records in this series are varied and include resolutions and proposals adopted by the Canal Board; schedules indicating requests by contractors to perform work on the canal; printed legal notices and notices to contractors requesting proposals for repairs on the canal; estimates advertising the type of work to be completed and approximate amount of material needed; and special notices to contractors outlining additional requirements (e.g. requiring contractor to deposit earth dredged from canals on canal banks and not in creeks). Many of the records appear to have been printed separately, then cut and pasted onto the pages of this volume.