Oct. 26, 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the official opening of the Erie Canal. Parts of the canal had been open since 1819, and as other sections were completed, the waterway was gradually connected from one end of the state to the other. The last section to be finished for navigation was the Deep Cut between Lockport and Pendleton. A portage was established to get around that section until it was finally done near the end of October of 1825.
In reading newspaper accounts leading up to and following the grand opening, the question arises as to how did the official delegation get to Buffalo to start their canal journey east that would culminate in the “Wedding of the Waters” in New York Harbor on Nov. 4, 1825? By the Erie Canal of course! Reports of boats “from the east” ascending the locks at Lockport or arriving in Buffalo can be a bit confusing, as people gathered to watch this “unofficial” convoy of boats which preceded the official procession. Also, on grand opening day, October 26th, the lead boats, including the Seneca Chief, coming from Buffalo and traveling east, were met by packets going west, usually carrying local VIPs to greet the canal dignitaries’ flotilla.
From this point on, newspaper accounts from various parts of New York state will tell the story of the events on the official opening day of the Erie Canal as they happened in Lockport.
Oct. 26, 1825, Lockport, NY
The Lockport Observatory, as reprinted in the Ontario Repository, Nov. 9, 1825, begins the day:
“A salute of thirteen guns from the mountain adjoining the locks, was fired at sunrise. At 9 o’clock in the morning, a procession was formed in front of the Washington House [where 7-Eleven now stands], and marched to the grand natural basin at the foot of the Locks…[The Lockport delegation] and many citizens were embarked on board the Packet boat Wm. C. Bouck, accompanied by an excellent band of Music from the village of Brockport. The boat Albany, of the Pilot line, had been prepared for the reception of the ladies, and nearly two hundred went on board of it. The rest of the procession, together with all who could obtain passage, embarked on board of other boats lying in the basin. Immediately after the grand salute had passed from Buffalo east, the gates of both of the lower locks were opened, and the Boats commenced ascending; the Bouck and Albany ahead. Their ascension was continually greeted with the discharge of artillery and the cheering of the multitude…The large and elegant boats, their decks covered with an admiring and joyful multitude, traveling majestically up the stupendous flight of locks, to ride for the first time on the bosom of the waters of Lake Erie — the roaring of artillery — the banks of the canal, locks, bridges and the high precipice around the locks and basin, literally swarming with spectators — all, all conspired to render the scene grand beyond description…”
The People’s Press (Batavia), Oct. 29, 1825, relates the feeling many people had that day:
“We witnessed this interesting scene, at Lockport, on Wednesday last…The day was fine, the concourse of people great, the ceremony imposing and grand, the oration good, and the interest expressed and felt by all, in the most perfect order and profound attention, was deep and intense. Upon the whole, it was the most glorious, heart-cheering, and important day we ever beheld; and the interest was heightened by the presence of the great patron of the splendid work, whose successful termination we were celebrating, as well as many of our faithful public servants, whose untiring exertion had so eminently contributed to its happy completion…”
The Buffalo Emporium & General Advertiser, Nov. 19, 1825, continues the day’s festivities:
“…On arrival of the boats at Pendleton, on the Tonnewanda [sic] Creek, they were met by two boats [the Bouck and Albany], containing a deputation from Lockport and a great number of ladies and gentlemen, by whom the Committee were escorted to the village [of Lockport], where they were greeted with the firing of cannon, with music and tumultuous acclaim. Here, after an address from M. E. Ransom, the Committee were escorted to the Washington Hotel [House] to dine. After their repast, they repaired to their boats, and commenced descending the locks of the mountain, the distance between the highest and lowest level at this place being 66 feet, during the descent of which minute guns were fired.”
And finally, from an editorial in the Batavia Advocate, as reprinted in the Wayne Sentinel, Nov. 22, 1825:
“The evening in Lockport was spent in festivity and hilarity. The inmates of the new born town rejoiced in the happy prospects before them with all the warmth of free and independent men.” Signed, A Looker-On
From Lockport, the Erie Canal flotilla moved east to villages and towns on the canal route while the inhabitants of this village were left with great memories and the anticipation of a prosperous future.
About today’s image
It’s the 1928 Raphael Beck mural, a copy of which is on exhibit at Erie Canal Discovery Center. Beck began the mural in 1925 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal. It was based on newspaper accounts of the day as well as Beck’s own imagination.
The central figure in the mural is Nathan Roberts, chief engineer of the project who came up with the idea to build the “stairway” or “flight” of five locks on each side so boats could ascend and descend at the same time. Beck used his daughter Phyllis as the model for the little girl. The 20-by-13-foot artwork took three years to complete.
The mural was originally made for Lockport Exchange Bank on the northeast corner of Main and Pine streets, which became M&T Bank in 1949. In 1970, M&T did a major remodeling and no longer wanted the mural, so it was gifted to the Niagara County Historical Society. With no space large enough to display it, however, the mural was loaned to Lockport High School and has been on a wall in the auditorium since 1970. In 2004, efforts were made to remove the mural for conservation and display at the soon to be opened Erie Canal Discovery Center, but it was adhered to the wall in such a way that it was impossible to remove without extensive damage to the mural and the wall. A digital copy was reproduced on a canvas-like material and installed in the Discovery Center in 2005.