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   Joliet Area | Lemont

Canal headquarters
At 8th and State, the white frame Will County Historical Society’s I&M Canal Museum was once the I&M Canal Commission headquarters. Here, engineer William Gooding designed the canal and supervised the contractors who hired thousands of immigrant canal workers. Canal Commissioners met here, and tolls collected in LaSalle, Ottawa, Joliet and Bridgeport were accounted for.

The original one-story building was constructed in 1837, with the two-story addition built in 1876. Docents in period dress will guide you through canal and local history exhibits.

Pioneer Settlement
Behind the museum on the site of the canal Public Landing, is the Pioneer Settlement. These historic structures were moved here from different parts of Will County when they were threatened with demolition in the 1960s. They are reconstructed to give the impression of an early village.

Call 815-838-5080 for information about I&M Canal Museum and Pioneer Settlement hours, tours and special events.