Historical Marker
Riga Academy
Historical marker location:
Riga, New York
( Marker is at the intersection of Chili-Riga Center Road (New York State Route 33A) and Riga-Mumford Road (New York State Route 36) on Chili-Riga Center Road.)
Marker installed: 1935
The Erie Canal, which opened in 1825 and connects the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, was originally mocked as "Clinton's Folly" after Governor DeWitt Clinton, who championed the project. However, the canal became an economic boon for New York and helped turn the state into a major commercial center.