On October 26, 1825, the 425-mile Erie Canal opened, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Railroads had not yet been built, so before the canal, transportation of goods and people across these distances was expensive and time-consuming. The opening of the canal made an immediate difference, saving money and time. The canal survived competition from the railroads until the latter part of the 19th century. Today it is mainly used for recreation.
