The '''Erie Canal''' was built between 1817 and 1819 and began operating in 1825. It connected the towns of [[Albany]] and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]. Albany and New York were already connected by the [[Hudson River]], while Buffalo afforded access to the Great Lakes. | The '''Erie Canal''' was built between 1817 and 1819 and began operating in 1825. It connected the towns of [[Albany]] and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]. Albany and New York were already connected by the [[Hudson River]], while Buffalo afforded access to the Great Lakes. |