The term 'Storied Canal' refers to the Erie Canal, which is a man-made waterway in the United States that stretches from Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York. It was built between 1817 and 1825 and is considered one of the most important engineering feats of the 19th century. The canal was a major factor in the development of the Great Lakes region and helped to open up the Midwest to settlement and commerce. It also played an important role in the growth of the American economy.