At
a stroke, the
opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848 gave Illinois
the key to mastery of the American mid-continent. The dream of
the canal had animated every vision and under laid every plan
for Illinois for 200 years before. As that vision was realized,
the canal’s commissioners laid out a canal port that would grow
into a great metropolis; their fellow citizens patented
agriculture and industrial innovations that would
make this the richest economic zone the world had ever seen. That Illinois is now the most populous inland American state, and Chicago
the greatest city of the American heartland, are directly traceable to the
96-mile ditch that linked the Great Lakes to the Illinois and Mississippi
rivers. The Illinois and Michigan Canal is one of the best-kept secrets of
American history. Though few know today how important it was, everyone
here knew it a century and a half ago. We cannot know Illinois’ history
without understanding how the Canal, as a symbol of the
continent-straddling ambitions of America, made it possible for a great
civilization to arise here.
After years of economic decline, the newly revitalized Canal Corridor is
now becoming a splendid living history museum of American enterprise,
technological invention, ethnic diversity, and cultural creativity - a
terrific visitor destination for recreation and heritage tourism. The
Canal Corridor Association aims to helps Illinoisans and their guests
understand that they too are parts of an exciting historical tradition.
Directions Exit Route 80 West at mile marker #77 (Rt. 351)
South on Rt. 351 to First Street
Building is located at 754 First St. (southwest
corner of Rt. 351 and First St.)
