The Erie Canal was one of the first major routes to open the west in the USA. The canal crosses New York State from the Hudson River in the east to Lake Erie in the west, and was rebuilt twice, to make it larger. The railroads followed, with the New York Central paralleling the canal.

The Railroad played a big part in developing America in the 19th century. Towns sprang up along the many canals and rail lines that crisscrossed the state and nation. Many of those railroads are now long gone, but the towns remain.

My hometown is Rochester, an old mill town that was served by both transportation routes. These galleries are the result of my photo exploration of some of these towns.