continue
tour:
Utica Area
Canal Meets River
In LaSalle, a complex of locks, steamboat and canal boat basins connected
the I&M Canal to the Illinois River. Adjacent to LaSalle
is Peru, which was developed prior to
construction
of the canal because it was at the head of Illinois River navigation.
Separated by a deep ravine, the adjacent communities benefited from the
juncture of transportation with natural resources, most notably coal.
Thousands of immigrants from Poland, Slovenia, Germany, Ireland, England
and Italy came to mine coal in LaSalle and Peru in the 1880s and 90s.
Today,
LaSalle and Peru offer dining, shopping and access to history. Visit Lock
14 at the end of the canal, discover LaSalle County’s architectural,
industrial and architectural heritage atthe Hegeler
Carus Mansion, visit Peru’s waterfront and shop or dine in the
downtowns.
©2002 Canal Corridor Association