Low Bridge Ahead: The Old Eries Impact on the Port of New York

Some economic historians attribute the growth and prosperity of the city of New York to the successful completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Others disagree, citing the importance of the "Cotton Triangle" whereby the Port became the financial and trade intermediary between the producers of "King Cotton" in America's Southland and the rapidly growing textile industry of England.

This thesis examines the publicly initiated role of entrepreneur assumed by the citizens of New York state through ...