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I&M Canal Special Places Project
The Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor is full of
historic sites, natural and cultural resources that contribute to local
and regional "sense of place.” Some of these places are protected, but
most are not, and the future of all is impacted daily by
unprecedented growth and development throughout the
canal corridor.
The special places project provides a framework for identifying,
preserving, expanding and connecting those places that define corridor
communities, create healthy environments, support more vibrant
economies, and build closer-knit communities.
Though the project continues to develop, it currently has two main
components: the special places inventory and
the special places advocate program.
Special Places Inventory
During the summer of 2002, 100 canal town residents took over 1000
photographs documenting “special places” throughout the corridor. The
photo inventory included well-recognized landmarks, state parks and
popular spots along the I&M Canal, as well as little known rural roads,
scenic vistas, historic buildings and structures.
After cataloging and evaluating the special places photos,
a traveling exhibit featuring 54
photos (see right column for some examples) representing
the wide range of special places was created. Between January and April
2003, over 2000 people viewed the Special Places on Tour exhibit
at one of its 24 stops in communities from Bedford Park to Peru.
The interactive exhibit allowed people to add their special places
“vote” to the inventory process, which in turn helped increase
understanding of the kinds of places with which people identify, value
and want to protect. The exhibit had the added benefits of exposing
people to the rich diversity of natural and cultural resources in the
corridor and generating interest in preserving and protecting those
special places.
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