Google Earth Mile Markers

Now Available: Canal Mile Markers for Google Earth.

Calculating distances along the old Erie Canal can be difficult. Even harder is finding landmarks if one is not familiar with New York State geography. When I first began reading about Erie Canal discoveries I often found myself consulting the map to discover where the find was located. I created a set of Mile Markers that should help fellow mappers identify locations along the Enlarged Canal Route. The set marks every mile along the canal route, starting at Albany and running westward.

kmz file: Erie Mile Markers

How it was created:
In a 1905 report, the New York State Canal commission identified every structure along the then-existing canal. The table published included data positioning each element according to distance (in feet) from the start of the Canal in Albany. Using this data, I was able to generate a starting point for the rest of the place marks. Since the first element identified was the aqueduct crossing the Mohawk at Crescent, it was easy to measure from that point and place a placemark all along the way. Then, one-by-one, each mark was measured and placed. Sub-groups of 10 miles help manage the set and minimize clutter.

The system is not perfect. You will notice discrepancies as you approach each aqueduct as two measurements converge. But in all, it was surprising more accurate than I anticipated. More details are contained within the file. I welcome feedback regarding the path I chose to place the markers. I have tried to follow the Enlarged Canal path, but in some cases followed an earlier route.

More on my website.

Write: hanch6@gmail.com