Events with tag - American Infrastructure

January 1717

First Mississippi River Levee Built

In 1717, the first levee on the Mississippi River was constructed near New Orleans under the supervision of French engineer Pierre Le Blond de La Tour. This three-foot-high, one-mile-long structure marked the beginning of what would become one of North America's most extensive flood control systems.

October 26, 1825

Erie Canal Completion

The Erie Canal, a 363-mile waterway connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, was completed on October 26, 1825. This revolutionary infrastructure project transformed American commerce and established New York City as the nation's premier commercial hub.

October 7, 1826

Birth of American Railroads

The establishment of America's first commercial railroad, the Granite Railway, in Massachusetts revolutionized transportation and set the foundation for the nation's industrial development. This 3-mile track connected Bunker Hill Monument quarries to the Neponset River, initially using horse-drawn wagons before transitioning to steam power.

April 22, 1855

First Mississippi River Bridge Opens

The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River opened in 1855, connecting Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa. This engineering marvel revolutionized American transportation by establishing the first permanent rail connection across the mighty river.