Art Along a Historic Waterway
Murals of the Erie Canal in Cayuga County
The Erie Canal is more than just a historic waterway—it’s a thread that ties together the stories of New York’s past. In Cayuga County, this legacy comes to life through a series of striking murals created by local artist Dawn Jordan of Auburn, NY. These public artworks beautifully illustrate the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the canal’s rich history. As the state celebrates the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial this year, these murals offer a timely and meaningful way to reflect on its impact.
Let’s take a journey along these murals and explore how each one reflects a unique chapter of the Erie Canal’s legacy.
Erie Canal in 1910
This mural takes viewers back to the early 1900s, offering a glimpse of life on the Enlarged Erie Canal. The scene represents what is now Erie Drive (Route 31), where canal boats once glided past bustling buildings and over a long-lost bridge that once connected Brutus Street. Though the bridge is gone, echoes of the past remain in the architecture and atmosphere that surrounds the mural today.
Located on the north side of the Old Brutus Historical Museum building, 8943 N. Seneca Street, Weedsport, NY
Yesterday on the Erie Canal
This educational mural is a colorful and informative depiction of daily life along the canal. It showcases how boats passed one another, how mules worked alongside humans, and the engineering marvel of the aqueduct in Jordan.
Exchange Hotel Mural
Painted in 2013, this mural honors a landmark that once served weary travelers journeying the canal in the early 19th century. This hotel stood near the original Erie Canal, which opened in Montezuma in 1820. The mural stands as a tribute to both the hospitality and hustle of canal life, making it a meaningful stop in the heart of Montezuma Heritage Park.
Located on High Street at the Byron Lapp Memorial Trailhead in Montezuma Heritage Park off Route 90, north of firehouse.
Richmond Aqueduct: Then and Now
Installed in 2016 on Route 31, this mural blends past and present in a powerful visual contrast. Inspired by a historic photo, the mural portrays the grandeur of the Richmond Aqueduct in its prime—a feat of engineering that once carried canal boats over the river. Beside this “then” image is the “now”—the solemn and beautiful remains of the aqueduct, a testament to the enduring legacy of the canal era.
Located on Route 31, east of the Seneca River Bridge, Montezuma, NY
Summer Afternoon on the Erie Canal
The mural portrays an imagined scene of boats navigating the Erie Canal in Port Byron, surrounded by canal-side businesses and homes. The inclusion of steamboats suggests a setting around the turn of the 20th century, a time when steam power was beginning to replace mule-drawn boats. While not depicting a specific historical moment, the scene was thoughtfully assembled by the artist using archival photographs of the former Tanner Dry Dock area, blending historical elements into a cohesive, interpretive snapshot of canal life.
Located at the corner of Route 31 and Route 38, Port Byron, NY
Why These Murals Matter
Dawn Jordan’s murals serve not just as art, but as educational and cultural landmarks. They spark curiosity, invite reflection, and keep local history alive for future generations. As visitors explore Cayuga County, these murals offer meaningful stops along the way—places to pause, appreciate, and connect with a story that shaped New York State and the nation. She stated that ‘The murals of the streets are museums for all’
So next time you’re traveling through Cayuga County, take a scenic detour and visit these living portraits of Erie Canal life. They’re more than just paintings—they’re windows into the past, created by a local artist whose work honors the heart of our region.
Links to Learn More
👉Interested in learning more about the many other amazing murals of the Erie Canal, painted by Dawn and other local artists located along this historic waterway visit: http://muralmania.org/montezuma-to-syracuse.
👉To learn more about Artist Dawn Jordan and her other projects visit www.streetsmartart.com
👉To learn more about the Erie Canal Bicentennial and planned celebrations visit www.tourcayuga.com/erie-canal-bicentennial-celebration/