The History of Canals Across Michigan

THE HISTORY OF CANALS ACROSSJoseph D.MICHIGAN Fenicle, PS Ohio & Michigan Professional Land Surveyor

Angular By Nature, LLC Adrian, Michigan

Friday, February 23rd, 2018 Grand Traverse Resort - Acme, Michigan

Image from NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey Historical Map & Chart Collection, Image LS1‐00‐1849 “Lake Erie” Lake Survey First Series, 1:40,000, Lake Survey, http:/historicalcharts.noaa.gov 1700 1800 1900 1600

• Canal du Midi – France • Bridgewater Canal – Britain • Eider Canal – Denmark (now Germany) • Erie Canal • Early Settlement of Michigan • Miami – Erie Canal & Ohio - Erie Canal • Chesapeake & Ohio Canal • Saint Mary’s Falls Canal • Belvidere Canal • Clinton – Kalamazoo Canal • Portage Canal • Others 1700 1800 1900 1681 1600

1681 Canal du Midi – France

“Canal of Two Seas” The First Man Made Canal in the World 150 Miles Long – 65 Locks

When linked with the Canal de Garonne (120 Miles Long – 53 Locks) it links the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.

Avoid sailing around the Iberian Peninsula

Was used as a model for future Canals 1681 Canal du Midi – France 1700 1800 1900 1600 1681 1761

1761 Bridgewater Canal – Britain

• Privately constructed to transport coal. • The First Canal in England (41 Miles). • Required an aqueduct to cross the River Irwell. • Designed and surveyed by James Brindley by studying the Canal du Midi in France. • Still privately owned today! • Was used as a model for future Canals. 1761 Bridgewater Canal– Britain 1700 1800 1900 1600 1681 1761 1784

1784 Eider Canal – Germany

• Connected the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. • 107 Miles – also uses 2 Rivers and 6 Locks. • Avoid the Jutland Peninsula. • Replaced by the Kiel Canal. • Was used as a model for future Canals. 1784 Eider Canal– Germany 1700 1800 1900 1802 1600 1681 1761 1784

1802 Potowmack Canal

• Created by George Washington. • Considered the First American Canal. • The Potowmack Company was organized with members from Virginia and Maryland. • Largest Obstacle were the Great Falls which drops vertically 80 feet in less than a mile. Took 5 Locks. • Took 17 Years to Build – 6 Years longer than it took to build and populate Washington D.C. • Was abandoned in 1830 as was Matildaville. • Bought by the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Company.

1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1600 1681 1761 1784

1825 Erie Canal

• Pushed by Flour Merchant Jesse Hawley and New York Governor DeWitt Clinton. • Construction started on July 4th, 1817. • Cost 7 Million Dollars - $19,000 per Mile! • Nicknamed “Clinton’s Folly” and “Clinton’s Ditch” • Surveyed & Engineered by James Geddes, Benjamin Wright, Canvass White & Nathan Roberts. • Canvass White travelled to England to study the Bridgewater Canal at his own expense. • 363 Miles with 82 Locks (571’ Vertical Change) Still in use today! 1825 Erie Canal Settlement in Michigan • Prior to the Erie Canal settlement was difficult. • People feared crossing Lake Erie considered worst than the Atlantic. • If by land had to cross the dreaded Great Black Swamp of NW Ohio. • Ohio Roads were built starting in 1816 – reaching Toledo. • Michigan Roads were built starting in 1822. They were poor at best. • The Old Sauk Trail or the Chicago Road was the first Road heading West. • Land sales peaked in 1825. “…stretched itself by devious and irregular windings in an easterly and westerly course across the township. When viewed from some eminence it appeared like a huge serpent lazily pursuing its onward course, utterly unconcerned as to its destination.” - Orsamus Lamb 1834

Historical & Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Plan of the United States Road from Detroit to Chicago as Surveyed and Marked Volume II, Page 21. Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website. Archaeological Atlas of Michigan, Wilbert B. Hinsdale Michigan Highways: From Indian Trails to Expressways, Philip P. Mason https://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/1265156.0001.001/59 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015009793467;view=1up;seq=24;size=125 1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1827 1600 1681 1761 1784

1827 Ohio Canals

New York Governor DeWitt Clinton and Ohio Governor Jerimiah Morrow started construction on July 4th, 1825 at Licking Summit by Newark. Surveyed & Engineered by James Geddes in 1822. Ohio - Erie Canal & Miami – Erie Canal Ohio – Erie was 308 Miles w/ 146 Locks (1200’) Miami – Erie was 249 Miles w/ 103 Locks & 19 Aqueducts and 3 Reservoirs. Estimated at 5.2 Million – actually 41 Million. Grand Lake St. Mary was the largest man made lake in the world at 13,500 Acres and 6’ Deep. 1600

1681

1700 Construction startedonJuly4 Canal & Ohio 1830 Chesapeake osrcinlse ni 80w a a Tunnel until 1850w/Paw Construction lasted total relief. 605’ of with 74Locks&11Aqueducts. 185 Miles by Benjamin Wright Surveyed &Engineered “Grand Old Ditch”and“C&OCanal” Nicknamed

1761

1784 1800 1802

1825 1827 1830 th , 1828.

1900 Benjamin Wright 1770-1842

• “Father of American Civil Engineering” • Learned Surveying from his Uncle at age 19. • He was 41 when he surveyed and engineered the proposed route for the Erie Canal. • Clinton appointed Wright as Chief Engineer over the construction of the Erie Canal. • Wright’s assistant was Canvass White. White travelled over 2000 miles through Europe during most of 1818 to study the canal system there. • The first canal boat down the Erie Canal in the 96 Mile Section between Rome and Utica was called the “Chief Engineer” after Wright. • During his career Wright also worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the St. Lawrence Canal Project and various Railroads as they pushed West. • He had nine children – 5 of whom became Civil Engineers. James Geddes 1763-1838

• Self taught Engineer & Surveyor • Worked for the State of New York in 1797 laying out Roads. • He founded the Village of Geddes in 1807 in New York. • Worked for the Ohio Canal Commission in 1822 surveying possible routes for the O&E and the M&E Canal. • He loved Buttermilk! • Also worked for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and later worked for the State of Pennsylvania designing their Canal System. • He was also a Judge in 1812 and in 1838 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. • His grandson James Geddes also became a Civil Engineer. 1837 1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1827 1600 1681 1761 1784

1837 St. Mary’s Falls Canal

• First Canal was actually built in 1797 but destroyed during the War of 1812. • 7 different canals and locks have been built since 1797 with another $600 Million Lock being proposed over a span of 10 Years. • During World War II there were 7500 troops stationed at the Soo Locks. Even today security is tight. A 6 month closure of the largest lock would cripple the economy and estimates say 11 million jobs would be lost – more than the Great Recession. A new lock would bring $1.7 Billion in economic benefit. 1837 St. Mary’s Falls Canal

• Engineered and Surveyed by John Almy • Contained 3 Locks w/ 6’ Lift Each • Never Constructed due to a dispute between the

State of Michigan and the U.S. Government Survey for Ship Canal Around the Falls of St. Mary Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website. 1852 St. Mary’s Falls Canal – The State Lock

• Engineered and Surveyed by Captain Augustus Canfield & William Austin Burt • Contained 2 – 350’ Locks w/ 9’ Lift Each • Took 1,700 men to complete. A Cholera epidemic broke out and 10% of workers died. • The Fairbanks Company completed the project prior to the 2 year limit. • The sand bar at the East end was not a sand bar!

Map of the Canal at Sau[l]t Ste. Mary Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website. 1852 – Current St. Mary’s Falls Canal Locks • Weitzel Lock - 1881 515’ Long, 80’ Wide, 17’ Deep, 1 20’ Lift • Original Poe Lock – 1896 800’ Long, 100’ Wide, 21’ Deep. Used Steel Gates not Wood. Replaced the State Lock • Davis Lock – 1914 1,350’ Long, 80’ Wide, 24’ Deep Boats passed 600’ – 613’ Col. James M. Schoonmaker • Sabin Lock – 1919 – now decommissioned 1,350’ Long, 80’ Wide, 24’ Deep – Same as Davis Lock • MacArthur Lock – 1943 Replaced the Weitzel Lock 800 Long, 80’ Wide, 31’ Deep • Current Poe Lock – 1968 1200’ Long, 110’ Wide, 32’ Deep

Replaced the Original Poe Lock Map of the Canal at Sau[l]t Ste. Mary Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website. The Saint Marys Falls Ship Canal, Michigan Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website.

1836 1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1827 1600 1681 1761 1784

1836 Belvidere Canal

• This Canal was surveyed and engineered but never built as Belvidere Completely fell of the map due to major floods and fires. • The Native Americans warned them, but they did not listen.

The Lost City of Belvidere

• 1835 brothers James and David Conger purchased the land. • Originally surveyed by Abel Dickerson in January of 1836. • Surveyed again by Edward Blackwell in December of 1836. • James and David sold to a group of shareholders. • David sold out to James, but James and Blackwell bought multiple lots. • Conger advertised lots across Ohio & Michigan. Instantly sold to over 20 families. • Named after Paula Belvidere Clark, the wife of James Conger. • Conger invented the “Tonic Liver Pill”. It was marketed as a cure for Cholera. • The Native American’s warned of floods. • In 1837 the town was flooded. • In 1882 the abandoned town caught fire. • All that remains today is the random name of Conger around the redeveloped area.

1837 1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1827 1838 1600 1681 1761 1784

1838 Clinton – Kalamazoo Canal

• Proposed by Michigan’s First Governor, Stevens T. Mason. • Mt. Clemens to Singapore – Lake to Lake • This was the first project under the new Michigan Internal Improvements Program. • 216 Miles Proposed, Only 16 Completed • Funding fell apart due to the Panic of 1837. • Complete Failure, Called “Mason’s Folly” • Surveyor Loren Andrus worked on the Canal. He built the Octagon House, Washington Twp. • Clinton Township and Clinton River named after DeWitt Clinton. Clinton and Kalamzoo Canal Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website. 1838 Clinton – Kalamazoo Canal

• Today much of the Canal lies within Road R/W (i.e. Canal Road). • Portions exist mostly in Canal Park and Yates Park along the old Canal Route. • The Canal is owned by Macomb County and is a Storm Drain. • Shown on subdivision maps. • The Loren Andrus Octagon House was not the only Octagon House in Macomb County! The Loren Andrus Octagon House

57500 Van Dyke Road – Near 26 Mile Washington Township, Michigan The Loren Andrus Octagon House

57500 Van Dyke Road – Near 26 Mile Washington Township, Michigan The Loren Andrus Octagon House The William Austin Burt Octagon House

57500 Van Dyke Road – Near 26 Mile 3603 28 Mile Road Washington Township, Michigan Washington Township, Michigan The Loren Andrus Octagon House The William Austin Burt Octagon House

57500 Van Dyke Road – Near 26 Mile 3603 28 Mile Road Washington Township, Michigan Washington Township, Michigan

The William Austin Burt “Wedding Cake House” 3405 28 Mile Road Washington Township, Michigan The William Austin Burt Octagon House and “Wedding Cake House” circa. 1973 Prior to Mt. Vernon Village Subdivision No. 2 1837 1865 1700 1800 1900 1802 1825 1827 1838 1600 1681 1761 1784

1865 Portage Canal

• 1861 Legislation created the Portage Lake and Lake Superior Canal Company. • Construction began in 1868. • No Locks Needed – just constant dredging. • Now, like others, under the control of the Army Corps of Engineers. • Department of War Surveyed the Route and Harbor Lines circa 1940. Map of Portage Lake and Lake Superior Ship Canal Archives of Michigan, Seeking Michigan Website.

Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, U.S. Harbor Line 1940 ‐ Page 1 of 3 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Mark Erickson, PS ‐ True North Surveyors Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, U.S. Harbor Line 1940 ‐ Page 1 of 3 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Mark Erickson, True North Surveyors Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, U.S. Harbor Line 1940 ‐ Page 2 of 3 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, Standard Waterway Control Chart and Index Map‐ Page 2 of 8 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, Standard Waterway Control Chart and Index Map‐ Page 1 of 8 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & Jeff West, PS ‐ U.P. Engineers & Architects, Inc. Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, Standard Waterway Control Chart – Index Sheet Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, Standard Waterway Control Chart – Area No. 1 of 38 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Keweenaw Waterway, Michigan, Standard Waterway Control Chart – Area No. 17 of 38 Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Any further questions/requests will require a FOIA request.” Special thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Derek Cusimano, Alexander Tappe, Edward Parzych & Nathaniel Belson

1879 U.S. Lake Survey – Proposed Barge Canal “Link the Lakes” – Lake Erie to Lake Michigan

164 Miles

1300’

580’ 572’

Proposed Barge Canal

* Not Actual Route – Visualization Purposes Only * Proposed Barge Canal

* Not Actual Route – Visualization Purposes Only *

Adrian Daily Telegram September 10, 1924 Designation Bunday Hill PID NF1372

“…to summit of long steep grade where highway passes over south side of Bunday Hill, thence north 0.1 mile on gravel drive up hill to station, 22 feet northwest of northeast corner of 50‐foot wooden observation tower, and 24 feet northeast of northwest corner of tower. Marked by cross on top of stone post…” “…recovered reference mark, with small hole marking center and letters U. S. cut in stone, and projecting 4 inches above ground…”