bull market logo Free Shipping

  Home > Stock Certs >

State of New York Genesee Valley Canal Bond | 1837 | Rare
State of New York Genesee Valley Canal Bond | 1837 | Rare
State of New York Genesee Valley Canal Bond | 1837 | Rare
  
Our Price: $198.00
Vintage Stock Certificate


Free Shipping
Product Code: SC2334-1837

Would you like to frame this?

Framing Options:
Learn More about Your Framing Options
Would you like to add engraving to your frame?

Options:

Qty:
Description Extended Information
 

State of New York Transfer Office Bond (Genesee Valley Canal) — 1837| $2,000, 5% Interest

Collect a rare piece of New York infrastructure history with this State of New York Transfer Office bond issued for $2,000 in 1837. The bond paid 5% interest and helped fund the construction of the Genesee Valley Canal. It is hand-signed and whole-punch cancelled, making it a compelling collectible for scripophily

Genesee Valley Canal: A Major 19th-Century Transportation Project

Authorized in 1836, the 124-mile Genesee Valley Canal operated from 1840 to 1878, connecting the Erie Canal in Rochester to the Allegheny River in Olean. The project cost $6.7 million and overcame difficult engineering challenges—eventually facing intense competition from railways, which contributed to its abandonment and conversion to rail use.

Key Construction & Timeline Highlights

  • 1823–1836: Settlers petitioned for a southern water route; the New York Legislature approved construction on May 6, 1836.
  • 1840: The first section opened to traffic, later expanding to 106 locks and a branch to Dansville.
  • 1862: The full length to Olean was completed, though delays stretched the build for decades.

Decline, Abandonment, and Lasting Legacy

  • 1878: High maintenance costs, water supply issues, and low commercial profit led the state to close and abandon the canal.
  • 1880: The property was sold and transformed into the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad (later part of the Pennsylvania Railroad).
  • Modern legacy: Rail service ended in 1963; today, the historic route is preserved as the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park.

Why This Bond Is Collectible

  • Issued by the State of New York Transfer Office in 1837
  • $2,000 bond
  • 5% interest funding the Genesee Valley Canal
  • Hand-signed
  • Whole-punch cancelled
  • Strong appeal for infrastructure history and scripophily

Product Details

  • Issuer: State of New York Transfer Office
  • Date: 1837
  • Purpose: Funding the Genesee Valley Canal
  • Face Value: $2,000
  • Interest Rate: 5%
  • Signature: Hand-signed
  • Cancellation: Whole punch cancelled