Page 28 - 2026 Orleans County Travel Guide

Erie Canal

Est. 1825

ince its grand opening in 1825, the Erie
SCanal has been widely recognized as an
engineering marvel that put New York on the
map as the Empire State. It transformed New York
City into the nation’s principal seaport and served
as a major “Gateway to the West” for waves of
immigrants coming to America. Groundbreaking Fun Fact: Orleans County has the most lift bridges of any
inventions and social movements took place along county on the canal system: 7 out of the 16. This one
the canals where a spirit of entrepreneurship and pictured was recently replaced over a 2 year period.
progressive thinking took hold.
Today, the New York State Canal System
is a National Historic Landmark that offers an
unparalleled place to recreate while discovering
the incredible history and beauty of America’s
most famous human-made waterway.
Orleans County was established along 25 miles
of the Erie Canal with 3 villages gaining prosperity
as a result of it in the 19 century: Medina, Albion
th
& Holley. Each of these villages are a port along the
Erie Canal with services to accommodate boaters
and cyclists.
Besides the three historic canal villages, notable
are these “Only in the OC” canal attractions (pictured
below):
• The Erie Canal Culvert on Culvert Road where
the road passes UNDER the canal.
• The Medina Aqueduct and Falls where the
Canal crosses Oak Orchard Creek via an aqueduct.
• Holley Falls where overflow water from the Erie
Canal empties into the East Branch of Sandy
Creek, and eventually makes its way to Lake 25 miles of the 360 mile Erie Canal cuts through Orleans County and includes
Ontario. 3 port villages: Medina, Albion & Holley. (Highlighted above in yellow.)

Medina Aqueduct & Falls by Erie Canalway
National Heritage Corridor Holley Falls by Peggy Barringer

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