In 1828, a survey for the Black River Canal Company proposed 34 miles (55 km) of traffic canal, 11 miles (18 km) of feeder canal, and 40 miles (64 km) of navigable river from Rome in Oneida County to Carthage in Jefferson County to allow the communities of northern New York access to an inexpensive mode of transportation for commerce.

The canal when finished only went to Carthage and yet still possessed all of the traits proposed in 1828 and rose a modest 693 feet (211 m).

By 1850, part of the canal north of Rome was in service, and the extension to Port Leyden was completed by the end of the year.

The Black River Canal Warehouse at Boonville was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

[2] A museum opened in 2005 operating out of the Warehouse, with other buildings added to house canal artifacts.