Today, it seems like Rhode Islanders hop onto I-95 to get anywhere. With the exception of rush hour, it is the quickest route to most places in the state. It is regionally famous for the "Big Blue Bug" and maybe infamous for the Thurbers Avenue curve. However, Rhode Island hasn't always been like this. Before there was a bustling city life, and bumper-to-bumper traffic almost everyday, Providence was a small urban center surrounded by rural countryside. The construction of one very important canal has made Southern New England, and Providence, an important industrial center of the United States.

		This year, Rhode Island celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Blackstone Canal. The building of this canal was an important advancement in the history of the Blackstone Valley. Although canals seem like a slow and quiet way of traveling today, this canal was economically beneficial to its surrounding areas at the time. The canal linked Providence to Worcester, as well as all of the towns in between. These towns in between had already begun to flourish from the start of America's Industrial Revolution and Samuel Slater's introduction of the water-powered textile mill to Pawtucket. The canal was skillfully crafted, as the chief engineer and supervisors gained their knowledge about creating canals during the construction of the Erie Canal. The project began in 1825, and was the last major canal to begin building in New England during this era. The canal had 49 locks and was about 45 miles long. It made it possible to bring the countryside closer to the more urban Providence, encouraging development and commerce along its route. This was a major change to the area's economy and social life. Everyday life changed from small rural activities to creating urban trade and politics. This also helped to bring the Irish to the Blackstone Valley, by creating industrial jobs and mill housing. All along the Blackstone River, the canal advanced industry and trade, and raised property value, until the railroad arrived and offered the same service as the canal, only faster and better quality. It was the end of the canal as a practical form of transport. Not only was the railroad the primary reason for the demise of the canal, but inconsistent and unpredictable New England weather created made operating the canal difficult. There was either too much or too little water in the river due to floods and droughts, respectively. Ice was also another issue. Ice covering the river could shut down the waterway for up to five months in late fall, early spring. So with these recurring inconveniences, the business of the canal lost money fast, shutting down operations in only 20 years. Although the canal ran for only 20 years (1828-1848), it created significant commercial and economic growth. Not only did it advance the way products were traded, but it also helped improve the working class socially. Before the canal, many rural households worked as a family on their farm or out of their home. The canal changed the family-based workforce, to a working middle class with social growth. It helped Providence continue its growth in becoming one of America's great industrial cities in the 19th Century. Perhaps it seems like the canal was a failure to those who invested in it. But in actuality, the construction of the canal was a milestone in the changing economy and daily life in Southern New England. This is a creation that should be remembered by New Englanders, especially those living and working anywhere from Providence to Worcester. The remains of this canal are visible in several points in Rhode Island, but perhaps the best place is in the Blackstone River Park in Lincoln, where the bike path follows the waterway and it is easy to spot the old lock used to raise and lower canal boats past the dam. To remember and learn more about the canal, the Worcester Historical Museum presents an exhibit detailing the creation of the waterway. The Worcester Historical Museum is located at 30 Elm St., Worcester, Mass.
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]