C. Van Benthuysen, Map and Profiles of New York State Canals (1860)

This map, depicting various canals in New York as of 1859, was created by C. Van Benthuysen and published in the 1859 Annual Report of the New York State Engineer and Surveyor,  along with various other maps, charts and diagrams that showed New York's infrastructure improvements. In the bottom left corner, the map features an overview of all the canals and railroads in New York, with red lines representing the canals. Surrounding the main map are smaller illustrations of each canal, the largest and most significant being the Erie Canal. This extensive system of canals connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes contributed to New York City's substantial economic and population growth in the 19th century, as well as the growth of many other cities along the canals.