Illinois and Michigan Canal

Transcription

THIS IS PRETTY POWERFUL STUFF. IT CAN CHANGE A STATE'S BOUNDARIES, FUEL IMMIGRATION, IT CAN CHANGE A STATE'S BOUNDARIES, FUEL IMMIGRATION, AND BANKRUPT COFFERS. BOUNDARIES, FUEL IMMIGRATION, AND BANKRUPT COFFERS. AND DESPITE ITS PLACID FLOW, AND BANKRUPT COFFERS. AND DESPITE ITS PLACID FLOW, THESE WATERS ALSO CAUSE QUITE A AND DESPITE ITS PLACID FLOW, THESE WATERS ALSO CAUSE QUITE A BIT OF TURBULENCE IN ILLINOIS' THESE WATERS ALSO CAUSE QUITE A BIT OF TURBULENCE IN ILLINOIS' ECONOMY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE. HI. I AM JIM WILHELM. IT WAS AN IDEA THAT DATED BACK I AM JIM WILHELM. IT WAS AN IDEA THAT DATED BACK TO THE FRENCH EXPLORER JOLIET. IT WAS AN IDEA THAT DATED BACK TO THE FRENCH EXPLORER JOLIET. BUILD A CANAL LINKING LAKE TO THE FRENCH EXPLORER JOLIET. BUILD A CANAL LINKING LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE ILLINOIS RIVER. BUILD A CANAL LINKING LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE ILLINOIS RIVER. BUT IT WAS AN IDEA THAT CHANGED MICHIGAN TO THE ILLINOIS RIVER. BUT IT WAS AN IDEA THAT CHANGED A NATION AND LITERALLY THE SHAPE BUT IT WAS AN IDEA THAT CHANGED A NATION AND LITERALLY THE SHAPE OF THIS STATE. ORIGINALLY, ILLINOIS' NORTHERN BORDERS WAS TO HAVE BEEN IN LINE WITH THAT OF INDIANA'S. BUT BORDERS WAS TO HAVE BEEN IN LINE WITH THAT OF INDIANA'S. BUT THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED ANY WITH THAT OF INDIANA'S. BUT THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED ANY FUTURE CANAL AND UNDE THE THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED ANY FUTURE CANAL AND UNDE THE AUSPICES OF TWO GOVERNING FUTURE CANAL AND UNDE THE AUSPICES OF TWO GOVERNING BODIES. AUSPICES OF TWO GOVERNING BODIES. ILLINOIS' BORDER WAS EX TENDED BODIES. ILLINOIS' BORDER WAS EX TENDED NORTH WARD. ILLINOIS' BORDER WAS EX TENDED NORTH WARD. A CANAL WAS NEEDED BECAUSE NORTH WARD. A CANAL WAS NEEDED BECAUSE UNLIKE TODAY, THE UPPER SECTION A CANAL WAS NEEDED BECAUSE UNLIKE TODAY, THE UPPER SECTION OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER WAS UNLIKE TODAY, THE UPPER SECTION OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER WAS UNNAVIGABLE BY STEAMBOAT. OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER WAS UNNAVIGABLE BY STEAMBOAT. IT WAS CHOKED WITH HUNDREDS OF UNNAVIGABLE BY STEAMBOAT. IT WAS CHOKED WITH HUNDREDS OF SMALL ISLANDS, NUMEROUS RANDZ, IT WAS CHOKED WITH HUNDREDS OF SMALL ISLANDS, NUMEROUS RANDZ, AND SHALLOW AREAS THAT WOULD SMALL ISLANDS, NUMEROUS RANDZ, AND SHALLOW AREAS THAT WOULD SOMETIMES DRY UP DURING THE AND SHALLOW AREAS THAT WOULD SOMETIMES DRY UP DURING THE SUMMERTIME. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO TRAVEL A PORTION OF THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL BEGINNING AT IN A TOWN PORTION OF THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL BEGINNING AT IN A TOWN THAT DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL AFTER CANAL BEGINNING AT IN A TOWN THAT DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL AFTER THE CANAL WAS BUILT. THAT DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL AFTER THE CANAL WAS BUILT. IT WAS HERE AT THE PORT OF THE CANAL WAS BUILT. IT WAS HERE AT THE PORT OF LASALLE THAT STEAMBOATS WOULD IT WAS HERE AT THE PORT OF LASALLE THAT STEAMBOATS WOULD TRANSFER CARGO AND PASSENGERS LASALLE THAT STEAMBOATS WOULD TRANSFER CARGO AND PASSENGERS GOING BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH. YOU CAN STILL SEE THE BASIN WHERE THE CANAL BOATS ONCE LINE UP AGAINST THE BANK LOADING, WHERE THE CANAL BOATS ONCE LINE UP AGAINST THE BANK LOADING, UNLOADING OR WAITING FOR THE UP AGAINST THE BANK LOADING, UNLOADING OR WAITING FOR THE CANAL TO UNFREEZE IN THE SPRING. UNLOADING OR WAITING FOR THE CANAL TO UNFREEZE IN THE SPRING. IT WAS A BUSY PLACE DURING THE CANAL TO UNFREEZE IN THE SPRING. IT WAS A BUSY PLACE DURING THE WARMER MONTHS. BACK FROM THAT BASIN, STEAMBOATS COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH WERE BRINGING PRODUCE AND RETURNING COMING UP FROM THE SOUTH WERE BRINGING PRODUCE AND RETURNING RAW GOODS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS. BRINGING PRODUCE AND RETURNING RAW GOODS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS. LOCKINGS WERE HAPPENING DAY AND RAW GOODS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS. LOCKINGS WERE HAPPENING DAY AND NIGHT, WAREHOUSES LINED THE LOCKINGS WERE HAPPENING DAY AND NIGHT, WAREHOUSES LINED THE BANKS, NEW INDUSTRIES SPRANG UP, NIGHT, WAREHOUSES LINED THE BANKS, NEW INDUSTRIES SPRANG UP, ALL INN A TOWN THAT DIDN'T EVEN BANKS, NEW INDUSTRIES SPRANG UP, ALL INN A TOWN THAT DIDN'T EVEN EXIST BEFORE THE CANAL. ALL INN A TOWN THAT DIDN'T EVEN EXIST BEFORE THE CANAL. TODAY LASALLE IS ALSO HOME TO EXIST BEFORE THE CANAL. TODAY LASALLE IS ALSO HOME TO THE ONLY RESTORED LOCK ON THE TODAY LASALLE IS ALSO HOME TO THE ONLY RESTORED LOCK ON THE CANAL. THE ONLY RESTORED LOCK ON THE CANAL. BETWEEN HERE AND THE 96 MILES TO CANAL. BETWEEN HERE AND THE 96 MILES TO CHICAGO, THERE WERE 15 OF THOSE BETWEEN HERE AND THE 96 MILES TO CHICAGO, THERE WERE 15 OF THOSE LOCKS, HANDLING A TOTAL CHICAGO, THERE WERE 15 OF THOSE LOCKS, HANDLING A TOTAL ELEVATION CHANGE OF 140 FEET. LOCKS, HANDLING A TOTAL ELEVATION CHANGE OF 140 FEET. THE LOCKS WERE OPERATED BY HAND, ELEVATION CHANGE OF 140 FEET. THE LOCKS WERE OPERATED BY HAND, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO THE LOCKS WERE OPERATED BY HAND, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO LOCK A BOAT THROUGH. AND IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO LOCK A BOAT THROUGH. AND THE DIMENSIONS OF THE LOCK LOCK A BOAT THROUGH. AND THE DIMENSIONS OF THE LOCK PRETTY MUCH DETERMINED THE SIZE AND THE DIMENSIONS OF THE LOCK PRETTY MUCH DETERMINED THE SIZE OF THE BOATS. PRETTY MUCH DETERMINED THE SIZE OF THE BOATS. THEY WERE ABOUT 17 AND A HALF OF THE BOATS. THEY WERE ABOUT 17 AND A HALF FEET WIDE AND ABOUT 100 FEET THEY WERE ABOUT 17 AND A HALF FEET WIDE AND ABOUT 100 FEET LONG. FEET WIDE AND ABOUT 100 FEET LONG. BUT THIS WASN'T THE ONLY BOOM LONG. BUT THIS WASN'T THE ONLY BOOM TOWN. BUT THIS WASN'T THE ONLY BOOM TOWN. CHICAGO'S POPULATION GREW 600% TOWN. CHICAGO'S POPULATION GREW 600% THE FIRST TEN YEARS THE CANAL CHICAGO'S POPULATION GREW 600% THE FIRST TEN YEARS THE CANAL WAS OPEN. THE FIRST TEN YEARS THE CANAL WAS OPEN. MOST OF THE GOODS BEING SHIPPED WAS OPEN. MOST OF THE GOODS BEING SHIPPED NORTH WENT THERE TO BE MOST OF THE GOODS BEING SHIPPED NORTH WENT THERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SHIPS HEADING NORTH WENT THERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SHIPS HEADING EAST. TRANSFERRED TO SHIPS HEADING EAST. NOW, NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS EAST. NOW, NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS WERE CONNECTED. BUT THE CANAL DIDN'T JUST CHANGE A FEW TOWNS. IT CHANGED ILLINOIS' SOCIAL MAKE UP CONSTRUCTION ON THE CANAL BEGAN IN 1836, AND TWO YEARS LATER MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE, MOST OF IN 1836, AND TWO YEARS LATER MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM IMMIGRANTS, WERE WORKING ON MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM IMMIGRANTS, WERE WORKING ON THE CANAL. THEM IMMIGRANTS, WERE WORKING ON THE CANAL. IT WAS A TOUGH LIFE, AND THE PAY THE CANAL. IT WAS A TOUGH LIFE, AND THE PAY WAS ONE DOLLAR A DAY AND IT WAS A TOUGH LIFE, AND THE PAY WAS ONE DOLLAR A DAY AND SOMETIMES A GILL OF WHISKEY WAS ONE DOLLAR A DAY AND SOMETIMES A GILL OF WHISKEY WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR OUNCES. SOMETIMES A GILL OF WHISKEY WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR OUNCES. IT TOOK TWELVE YEARS TO COMPLETE WHICH WAS ABOUT FOUR OUNCES. IT TOOK TWELVE YEARS TO COMPLETE THE DIG, AND CONDITIONS WERE IT TOOK TWELVE YEARS TO COMPLETE THE DIG, AND CONDITIONS WERE MISERABLE. THE DIG, AND CONDITIONS WERE MISERABLE. MEN WERE WORKING IN LOW LYING MISERABLE. MEN WERE WORKING IN LOW LYING AREAS INFESTED WITH LEECHES, MEN WERE WORKING IN LOW LYING AREAS INFESTED WITH LEECHES, MOSQUITOS AND SNAKES. AREAS INFESTED WITH LEECHES, MOSQUITOS AND SNAKES. THOUSANDS DIED FROM DISEASES MOSQUITOS AND SNAKES. THOUSANDS DIED FROM DISEASES SUCH ASTHMA LAYER IA AND THOUSANDS DIED FROM DISEASES SUCH ASTHMA LAYER IA AND DYSENTERY WHICH SWEPT THROUGH SUCH ASTHMA LAYER IA AND DYSENTERY WHICH SWEPT THROUGH THE CAMPS. DYSENTERY WHICH SWEPT THROUGH THE CAMPS. BUT THEY CHANGED MORE THAN JUST THE CAMPS. BUT THEY CHANGED MORE THAN JUST THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE. BUT THEY CHANGED MORE THAN JUST THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MANY OF THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MANY OF THEM BOUGHT LAND IN THE AREA AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MANY OF THEM BOUGHT LAND IN THE AREA AND WENT INTO FARMING. THEM BOUGHT LAND IN THE AREA AND WENT INTO FARMING. SINCE SOME OF THEM WERE IRISH, WENT INTO FARMING. SINCE SOME OF THEM WERE IRISH, CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES TRAVELED SINCE SOME OF THEM WERE IRISH, CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES TRAVELED THE PROJECT ESTABLISHING CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES TRAVELED THE PROJECT ESTABLISHING CHURCHES IN THE NEW TOWNS. THE PROJECT ESTABLISHING CHURCHES IN THE NEW TOWNS. WHEN FINISHED, THERE WAS CHURCHES IN THE NEW TOWNS. WHEN FINISHED, THERE WAS ECONOMIC BOONE AS JOBS WERE WHEN FINISHED, THERE WAS ECONOMIC BOONE AS JOBS WERE CREATED ALONG THE CORIDOR. ECONOMIC BOONE AS JOBS WERE CREATED ALONG THE CORIDOR. PEOPLE WERE NEEDED TO SUPPLY THE CREATED ALONG THE CORIDOR. PEOPLE WERE NEEDED TO SUPPLY THE BOATS, TO HANDLE CARGO, WORK IN PEOPLE WERE NEEDED TO SUPPLY THE BOATS, TO HANDLE CARGO, WORK IN THE NEW INDUSTRIES OPENING UP, BOATS, TO HANDLE CARGO, WORK IN THE NEW INDUSTRIES OPENING UP, AND TEAMS WERE NEEDED AS MULE THE NEW INDUSTRIES OPENING UP, AND TEAMS WERE NEEDED AS MULE DRIVERS. AND TEAMS WERE NEEDED AS MULE DRIVERS. IT TOOK FOUR MULES TO PULL A DRIVERS. IT TOOK FOUR MULES TO PULL A CANAL BOAT, AND DRIVERS WALKED IT TOOK FOUR MULES TO PULL A CANAL BOAT, AND DRIVERS WALKED THE MULES ALONG THE TOE PATH. CANAL BOAT, AND DRIVERS WALKED THE MULES ALONG THE TOE PATH. SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ONE PATH, THE MULES ALONG THE TOE PATH. SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ONE PATH, WHEN TWO BOATS MET, ONE WOULD SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ONE PATH, WHEN TWO BOATS MET, ONE WOULD STOP, WHILE THE MULES WOULD HOP WHEN TWO BOATS MET, ONE WOULD STOP, WHILE THE MULES WOULD HOP OVER THE ROAD. STOP, WHILE THE MULES WOULD HOP OVER THE ROAD. HOPPING MADE SURE THE MULES OVER THE ROAD. HOPPING MADE SURE THE MULES WOULD NOT BECOME ENTANGLED IN HOPPING MADE SURE THE MULES WOULD NOT BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE ROPE. WOULD NOT BECOME ENTANGLED IN THE ROPE. DRIVERS HAD AN UGLY REPUTATION. THE ROPE. DRIVERS HAD AN UGLY REPUTATION. THEY WERE FOUL-MOUTHED AND DRIVERS HAD AN UGLY REPUTATION. THEY WERE FOUL-MOUTHED AND COMPAT TIVE, FREQUENTLY THEY WERE FOUL-MOUTHED AND COMPAT TIVE, FREQUENTLY UNDERPAID BY CAPTAINS FORCING COMPAT TIVE, FREQUENTLY UNDERPAID BY CAPTAINS FORCING THEM INTO A LIFE OF THIEVERY. UNDERPAID BY CAPTAINS FORCING THEM INTO A LIFE OF THIEVERY. BUT NOT ALL OF THEM WERE THEM INTO A LIFE OF THIEVERY. BUT NOT ALL OF THEM WERE SCOWRJS. BUT NOT ALL OF THEM WERE SCOWRJS. IN FACT, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SCOWRJS. IN FACT, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NAMES IN THE OLD WEST ONCE WAS A IN FACT, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NAMES IN THE OLD WEST ONCE WAS A DRIVER ON THIS PATH. NAMES IN THE OLD WEST ONCE WAS A DRIVER ON THIS PATH. WILD BILL HICKOK. DRIVER ON THIS PATH. WILD BILL HICKOK. ONE PLACE WHERE HISTORY SEEMS TO WILD BILL HICKOK. ONE PLACE WHERE HISTORY SEEMS TO MIRROR THAT OF THE CANALS WHERE ONE PLACE WHERE HISTORY SEEMS TO MIRROR THAT OF THE CANALS WHERE THE TOWN OF AUX SABLE ONCE MIRROR THAT OF THE CANALS WHERE THE TOWN OF AUX SABLE ONCE STOOD. THE TOWN OF AUX SABLE ONCE STOOD. HERE A HANDFUL OF HOUSES GREW STOOD. HERE A HANDFUL OF HOUSES GREW INTO A VILLAGE THAT INCLUDED A HERE A HANDFUL OF HOUSES GREW INTO A VILLAGE THAT INCLUDED A SCHOOL, BLACKSMITH, SAWMILL, AND INTO A VILLAGE THAT INCLUDED A SCHOOL, BLACKSMITH, SAWMILL, AND A DISTILLERY. SCHOOL, BLACKSMITH, SAWMILL, AND A DISTILLERY. DISTILLERY. A DISTILLERY. DISTILLERY. AND THERE WAS A BRIDGE WITH A DISTILLERY. AND THERE WAS A BRIDGE WITH A TRAP DOOR RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND THERE WAS A BRIDGE WITH A TRAP DOOR RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE WHICH ALLOWED AREA FARMERS TO TRAP DOOR RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE WHICH ALLOWED AREA FARMERS TO DUMP THEIR WAGON LOADS OF GRAIN WHICH ALLOWED AREA FARMERS TO DUMP THEIR WAGON LOADS OF GRAIN DIRECTLY INTO THE BOATS BELOW. DUMP THEIR WAGON LOADS OF GRAIN DIRECTLY INTO THE BOATS BELOW. IT WAS PART OF ONE OF THE DIRECTLY INTO THE BOATS BELOW. IT WAS PART OF ONE OF THE LARGEST INDUSTRIES FORMED BY THE IT WAS PART OF ONE OF THE LARGEST INDUSTRIES FORMED BY THE CANAL, AGRICULTURE. LARGEST INDUSTRIES FORMED BY THE CANAL, AGRICULTURE. THE I & M CANAL ALLOWED MORE CANAL, AGRICULTURE. THE I & M CANAL ALLOWED MORE ACREAGE TO BE TILLED. THE I & M CANAL ALLOWED MORE ACREAGE TO BE TILLED. FARMERS NOW GREW MORE THAN THEY ACREAGE TO BE TILLED. FARMERS NOW GREW MORE THAN THEY NEEDED SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO FARMERS NOW GREW MORE THAN THEY NEEDED SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO MARKETS IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, NEEDED SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO MARKETS IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, PLUS WITH THE IMMIGRANT WORKERS MARKETS IN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK, PLUS WITH THE IMMIGRANT WORKERS SETTLING DOWN, VAST STRETCHES OF PLUS WITH THE IMMIGRANT WORKERS SETTLING DOWN, VAST STRETCHES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS WERE PUT TO THE SETTLING DOWN, VAST STRETCHES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS WERE PUT TO THE PLOW. WELCOME BACK TO AUX SABLE. IT IS OFF TODAY'S BENET TRAIL, AND IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL GHOST IT IS OFF TODAY'S BENET TRAIL, AND IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL GHOST TOWNS THAT DOT THE CANAL'S AND IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL GHOST TOWNS THAT DOT THE CANAL'S BANKS. TOWNS THAT DOT THE CANAL'S BANKS. IT IS ALSO THE SITE OF ONE OF BANKS. IT IS ALSO THE SITE OF ONE OF ONLY TWO REMAINING LOCK TENDERS IT IS ALSO THE SITE OF ONE OF ONLY TWO REMAINING LOCK TENDERS HOMES. ONLY TWO REMAINING LOCK TENDERS HOMES. THEY WERE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY HOMES. THEY WERE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY DURING THE EIGHT AND A HALF THEY WERE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY DURING THE EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS THE CANAL WAS OPEN. DURING THE EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS THE CANAL WAS OPEN. PAY WAS ABOUT $300 PER YEAR MONTHS THE CANAL WAS OPEN. PAY WAS ABOUT $300 PER YEAR WHICH WASN'T A LOT BACK THEN, PAY WAS ABOUT $300 PER YEAR WHICH WASN'T A LOT BACK THEN, BUT THE HOUSE WAS PROVIDED RENT WHICH WASN'T A LOT BACK THEN, BUT THE HOUSE WAS PROVIDED RENT FREE. TO MAKE ENDS MEET, SEVERAL TENDERS RAN BUSINESSES ON THE SIDE. TENDERS RAN BUSINESSES ON THE SIDE. ONE OF THEM EVEN RAN A TAYLOR SIDE. ONE OF THEM EVEN RAN A TAYLOR SHOP SO PASSENGERS COULD HAVE ONE OF THEM EVEN RAN A TAYLOR SHOP SO PASSENGERS COULD HAVE THEIR MEASUREMENTS TAKEN, AND SHOP SO PASSENGERS COULD HAVE THEIR MEASUREMENTS TAKEN, AND THEN ON THE RETURN TRIP, THEY THEIR MEASUREMENTS TAKEN, AND THEN ON THE RETURN TRIP, THEY COULD PICK UP THEIR NEW CLOTHES. THEN ON THE RETURN TRIP, THEY COULD PICK UP THEIR NEW CLOTHES. AND PASSENGER SERVICE WAS BIG COULD PICK UP THEIR NEW CLOTHES. AND PASSENGER SERVICE WAS BIG BUSINESS DURING THE FIRST FIVE AND PASSENGER SERVICE WAS BIG BUSINESS DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE RAILROADS CAME. BUSINESS DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE RAILROADS CAME. IT COST ABOUT FOUR DOLLARS PER YEARS BEFORE THE RAILROADS CAME. IT COST ABOUT FOUR DOLLARS PER PERSON TO TRAVEL FROM LASALLE TO IT COST ABOUT FOUR DOLLARS PER PERSON TO TRAVEL FROM LASALLE TO CHICAGO, AND IT WAS A MORE PERSON TO TRAVEL FROM LASALLE TO CHICAGO, AND IT WAS A MORE COMFORTABLE TRIP THAN TAKING A CHICAGO, AND IT WAS A MORE COMFORTABLE TRIP THAN TAKING A STAGECOACH OVER UNPAVED TRAILS. COMFORTABLE TRIP THAN TAKING A STAGECOACH OVER UNPAVED TRAILS. THE JOURNEY TOOK ABOUT 24 HOURS, STAGECOACH OVER UNPAVED TRAILS. THE JOURNEY TOOK ABOUT 24 HOURS, AND IT WAS NOT IDYLLIC. THE JOURNEY TOOK ABOUT 24 HOURS, AND IT WAS NOT IDYLLIC. AT NIGHT, MOSQUITOS SWARMED. AND IT WAS NOT IDYLLIC. AT NIGHT, MOSQUITOS SWARMED. SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WERE THE AT NIGHT, MOSQUITOS SWARMED. SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WERE THE FLOOR OR BOARDS ATTACHED TO THE SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS WERE THE FLOOR OR BOARDS ATTACHED TO THE WALLS. FLOOR OR BOARDS ATTACHED TO THE WALLS. A HUNDRED PEOPLE COULD BE WALLS. A HUNDRED PEOPLE COULD BE CRAMMED ON THESE BOATS, AND THE A HUNDRED PEOPLE COULD BE CRAMMED ON THESE BOATS, AND THE WINDOWS WERE KEPT SHUT TO KEEP CRAMMED ON THESE BOATS, AND THE WINDOWS WERE KEPT SHUT TO KEEP OUT THE BAD SWAMP AIR MAKING IT WINDOWS WERE KEPT SHUT TO KEEP OUT THE BAD SWAMP AIR MAKING IT STIFLING INSIDE. OUT THE BAD SWAMP AIR MAKING IT STIFLING INSIDE. >> JUST DOWN THE TOE POGHT IN STIFLING INSIDE. >> JUST DOWN THE TOE POGHT IN THE LOCK TENDER'S HOUSE IS >> JUST DOWN THE TOE POGHT IN THE LOCK TENDER'S HOUSE IS 1840'S ENGINEER. THE LOCK TENDER'S HOUSE IS 1840'S ENGINEER. IT IS AQUEDUCT WHICH CARRIED THE 1840'S ENGINEER. IT IS AQUEDUCT WHICH CARRIED THE CANAL, THE BOATS, AND THE IT IS AQUEDUCT WHICH CARRIED THE CANAL, THE BOATS, AND THE TOWPATH OVER ANOTHER BODY OF CANAL, THE BOATS, AND THE TOWPATH OVER ANOTHER BODY OF WATER. TOWPATH OVER ANOTHER BODY OF WATER. >> THERE WERE FOUR TYPES OF WATER. >> THERE WERE FOUR TYPES OF THESE STRUCTURES USED ON THE I & >> THERE WERE FOUR TYPES OF THESE STRUCTURES USED ON THE I & M CANAL. THESE STRUCTURES USED ON THE I & M CANAL. THE LONGEST WHICH IS STILL M CANAL. THE LONGEST WHICH IS STILL STANDING IS LOCATED IN OTTOWA THE LONGEST WHICH IS STILL STANDING IS LOCATED IN OTTOWA SPANNING THE FOX RIVER. STANDING IS LOCATED IN OTTOWA SPANNING THE FOX RIVER. THAT ONE WAS CONSIDERED A MARVEL SPANNING THE FOX RIVER. THAT ONE WAS CONSIDERED A MARVEL IN ITS DAY STRETCHING OVER THAT ONE WAS CONSIDERED A MARVEL IN ITS DAY STRETCHING OVER 400 FEET. IN ITS DAY STRETCHING OVER 400 FEET. IN ADDITION TO THE HOME AND THE 400 FEET. IN ADDITION TO THE HOME AND THE AQUEDUCT, AUX SABLE IS A IN ADDITION TO THE HOME AND THE AQUEDUCT, AUX SABLE IS A REMINDER THAT THE ECONOMIC BOOM AQUEDUCT, AUX SABLE IS A REMINDER THAT THE ECONOMIC BOOM WASN'T FOREVER. REMINDER THAT THE ECONOMIC BOOM WASN'T FOREVER. AFTER THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, WASN'T FOREVER. AFTER THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES AND AFTER THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGY WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGY WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE ILLINOIS TECHNOLOGY WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER MORE NAVIGABLE, ALLOWING NORTHERN PORTION OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER MORE NAVIGABLE, ALLOWING FOR LARGER LOADS. RIVER MORE NAVIGABLE, ALLOWING FOR LARGER LOADS. THE CANAL WAS CLOSED IN 1933. FOR LARGER LOADS. THE CANAL WAS CLOSED IN 1933. >> PEEK TONNAGE OCCURRED IN 1881 THE CANAL WAS CLOSED IN 1933. >> PEEK TONNAGE OCCURRED IN 1881 WITH ALMOST 300 BOATS TRAVERSING >> PEEK TONNAGE OCCURRED IN 1881 WITH ALMOST 300 BOATS TRAVERSING ITS LENGTH. WITH ALMOST 300 BOATS TRAVERSING ITS LENGTH. IN ADDITION TO OPENING ILLINOIS' ITS LENGTH. IN ADDITION TO OPENING ILLINOIS' INTERIOR TO FARMING, THE CANAL IN ADDITION TO OPENING ILLINOIS' INTERIOR TO FARMING, THE CANAL ALSO OPENED THE STATE'S VEINS, INTERIOR TO FARMING, THE CANAL ALSO OPENED THE STATE'S VEINS, COAL COULD NOW BE SHIPPED TO ALSO OPENED THE STATE'S VEINS, COAL COULD NOW BE SHIPPED TO LARGER MARKETS. COAL COULD NOW BE SHIPPED TO LARGER MARKETS. AFTER THE CANAL CLOSED. LARGER MARKETS. AFTER THE CANAL CLOSED. SEVERAL TOWNS LIKE AUX SABLE AFTER THE CANAL CLOSED. SEVERAL TOWNS LIKE AUX SABLE LOST MAIN REVENUE GENERATOR. SEVERAL TOWNS LIKE AUX SABLE LOST MAIN REVENUE GENERATOR. UNLIKE THE TOWN, THE CANAL IS LOST MAIN REVENUE GENERATOR. UNLIKE THE TOWN, THE CANAL IS UNDERGOING A RESURGENCE THANKS UNLIKE THE TOWN, THE CANAL IS UNDERGOING A RESURGENCE THANKS IN PART TO THE EFFORT OF THE UNDERGOING A RESURGENCE THANKS IN PART TO THE EFFORT OF THE CANAL CORRIDOR ASSOCIATION. WE HAVE A MILLION PEOPLE ON THE TRAILS, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO VISIT, WHETHER IT IS TRAILS, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO VISIT, WHETHER IT IS THE GAYLORD BUILDING OR OTHER COMING TO VISIT, WHETHER IT IS THE GAYLORD BUILDING OR OTHER BUILDINGS IN LOCKPORT OR ANY OF THE GAYLORD BUILDING OR OTHER BUILDINGS IN LOCKPORT OR ANY OF OUR CANAL TOWNS, SENECA, LEMONT, BUILDINGS IN LOCKPORT OR ANY OF OUR CANAL TOWNS, SENECA, LEMONT, LASALLE, PERU, MANY MORE PEOPLE OUR CANAL TOWNS, SENECA, LEMONT, LASALLE, PERU, MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO REALLY EXPERIENCE LASALLE, PERU, MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO REALLY EXPERIENCE HISTORY. ARE COMING TO REALLY EXPERIENCE HISTORY. WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE HISTORY. WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE GAYLORD WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE GAYLORD BUILDING HERE, AND WE ARE ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE GAYLORD BUILDING HERE, AND WE ARE WORKING ON ANOTHER SITE, A BUILDING HERE, AND WE ARE WORKING ON ANOTHER SITE, A SECOND SITE TO INTERPRET THE WORKING ON ANOTHER SITE, A SECOND SITE TO INTERPRET THE CANAL OUT IN LASALLE WHICH WE SECOND SITE TO INTERPRET THE CANAL OUT IN LASALLE WHICH WE ARE CALLING THE PORT OF LASALLE. CANAL OUT IN LASALLE WHICH WE ARE CALLING THE PORT OF LASALLE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING ARE CALLING THE PORT OF LASALLE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN CANAL CORRIDOR IS GET A BOAT IN TO DO TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN CANAL CORRIDOR IS GET A BOAT IN THE WATER AT LA SELL SO PEOPLE CANAL CORRIDOR IS GET A BOAT IN THE WATER AT LA SELL SO PEOPLE COULD TAKE A RIDE ON A REPLICA THE WATER AT LA SELL SO PEOPLE COULD TAKE A RIDE ON A REPLICA CANAL BOAT AND GET A SENSE OF COULD TAKE A RIDE ON A REPLICA CANAL BOAT AND GET A SENSE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO TRAVEL BY CANAL BOAT AND GET A SENSE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO TRAVEL BY CANAL BOAT. WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO TRAVEL BY CANAL BOAT. >> BESIDES THE GAYLORD BUILDING CANAL BOAT. >> BESIDES THE GAYLORD BUILDING AND OUR PLANS FOR THE PORT OF >> BESIDES THE GAYLORD BUILDING AND OUR PLANS FOR THE PORT OF LASALLE, WE HAVE ALSO WORKED AND OUR PLANS FOR THE PORT OF LASALLE, WE HAVE ALSO WORKED ALONG ALMOST 70 MILES OF SCENIC LASALLE, WE HAVE ALSO WORKED ALONG ALMOST 70 MILES OF SCENIC I & M CANAL TRAIL. ALONG ALMOST 70 MILES OF SCENIC I & M CANAL TRAIL. THE TRAIL FOR THE MOST PART IS I & M CANAL TRAIL. THE TRAIL FOR THE MOST PART IS ON THE TOWPATH THAT THE MULES THE TRAIL FOR THE MOST PART IS ON THE TOWPATH THAT THE MULES PULLED THE BOATS ON. ON THE TOWPATH THAT THE MULES PULLED THE BOATS ON. AND NOW PEOPLE CAN RIDE AND RIDE PULLED THE BOATS ON. AND NOW PEOPLE CAN RIDE AND RIDE THRAIK THEIR BIKES AND WALK AND NOW PEOPLE CAN RIDE AND RIDE THRAIK THEIR BIKES AND WALK ALONG THAT TRAIL. THRAIK THEIR BIKES AND WALK ALONG THAT TRAIL. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE WORKED ALONG THAT TRAIL. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE WORKED ON IS MARKERS, WITH DIRECTIONAL ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE WORKED ON IS MARKERS, WITH DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION, ALSO TRAIL SIDE ON IS MARKERS, WITH DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION, ALSO TRAIL SIDE EXHIBITS. INFORMATION, ALSO TRAIL SIDE EXHIBITS. AS YOU ARE ENTERING THE CANAL OR EXHIBITS. AS YOU ARE ENTERING THE CANAL OR ENTERING FROM VARIOUS PARKING AS YOU ARE ENTERING THE CANAL OR ENTERING FROM VARIOUS PARKING LOTS, YOU READ A LITTLE BIT ENTERING FROM VARIOUS PARKING LOTS, YOU READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CANAL AND WHAT ELSE LOTS, YOU READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CANAL AND WHAT ELSE THERE IS TO DO IN THE AREA. WE ABOUT THE CANAL AND WHAT ELSE THERE IS TO DO IN THE AREA. WE ALSO HAVE FULL SIZE SILL OWE THERE IS TO DO IN THE AREA. WE ALSO HAVE FULL SIZE SILL OWE WESTS OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE -- ALSO HAVE FULL SIZE SILL OWE WESTS OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE -- SILL OWE , ETCETERA IN THE WESTS OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE -- SILL OWE , ETCETERA IN THE LANDSCAPE. SILL OWE , ETCETERA IN THE LANDSCAPE. WE TRY TO TELL THE STORY OF LANDSCAPE. WE TRY TO TELL THE STORY OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE THAT LIVED AND WE TRY TO TELL THE STORY OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE THAT LIVED AND WORKED ALONG THE CANAL. INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE THAT LIVED AND WORKED ALONG THE CANAL. BECAUSE, AS A HISTORIAN, I FIND WORKED ALONG THE CANAL. BECAUSE, AS A HISTORIAN, I FIND THE BEST WAY TO GET PEOPLE BECAUSE, AS A HISTORIAN, I FIND THE BEST WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HISTORY, TALK THE BEST WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN HISTORY, TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. INTERESTED IN HISTORY, TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. WE HAVE ABOUT 30SILOHETTES AND ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. WE HAVE ABOUT 30SILOHETTES AND MORE IN THE WORKS. WE HAVE ABOUT 30SILOHETTES AND MORE IN THE WORKS. >> WE ARE A 21 YEAR OLD MORE IN THE WORKS. >> WE ARE A 21 YEAR OLD NONPROFIT THAT WAS FORMED TO >> WE ARE A 21 YEAR OLD NONPROFIT THAT WAS FORMED TO PROMOTE THE HISTORIC NONPROFIT THAT WAS FORMED TO PROMOTE THE HISTORIC ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL. PROMOTE THE HISTORIC ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL. OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL. OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE HISTORY AND OPEN SPACE AND TO OUR MISSION IS TO PRESERVE HISTORY AND OPEN SPACE AND TO CREATE DESTINATIONINGS WHERE HISTORY AND OPEN SPACE AND TO CREATE DESTINATIONINGS WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND HAVE FUN AND CREATE DESTINATIONINGS WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND HAVE FUN AND LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE CAN COME AND HAVE FUN AND LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STATE. LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STATE. >> HAD IN 1984 I & M'S NATIONAL STATE. >> HAD IN 1984 I & M'S NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR BECAME THE >> HAD IN 1984 I & M'S NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR BECAME THE FIRST FEDERALLY DESIGNATED AREA HERITAGE CORRIDOR BECAME THE FIRST FEDERALLY DESIGNATED AREA IT IS BASICALLY A NEW FORM OF FIRST FEDERALLY DESIGNATED AREA IT IS BASICALLY A NEW FORM OF NATIONAL PARK EVEN THOUGH THERE IT IS BASICALLY A NEW FORM OF NATIONAL PARK EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO FEDERAL LANDOWNER SHIP. NATIONAL PARK EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO FEDERAL LANDOWNER SHIP. IDEA WAS LOOK AT LARGE AREAS, IS NO FEDERAL LANDOWNER SHIP. IDEA WAS LOOK AT LARGE AREAS, RATHER THAN A PARTICULAR IDEA WAS LOOK AT LARGE AREAS, RATHER THAN A PARTICULAR LOCATION AND TO HAVE FEDERAL RATHER THAN A PARTICULAR LOCATION AND TO HAVE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT CAN GO TO SUPPORT LOCATION AND TO HAVE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT CAN GO TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, FUNDS THAT CAN GO TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, AND THAT'S REALLY THE FOCUS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, AND THAT'S REALLY THE FOCUS OF THE HERITAGE AREAS. AND THAT'S REALLY THE FOCUS OF THE HERITAGE AREAS. I & M CANAL WAS THE FIRST THE HERITAGE AREAS. I & M CANAL WAS THE FIRST HERITAGE AREA. I & M CANAL WAS THE FIRST HERITAGE AREA. THERE ARE NOW 23. HERITAGE AREA. THERE ARE NOW 23. WE WERE THE MODEL FOR THIS NEW THERE ARE NOW 23. WE WERE THE MODEL FOR THIS NEW IDEA IN PARK MANAGEMENT. THE CAL CANAL IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT CREATED CHICAGO, IT CREATE TOWNS LIKE MORRIS, LASALLE, IT CREATED CHICAGO, IT CREATE TOWNS LIKE MORRIS, LASALLE, OTTOWA, ALL THESE TOWNS WERE TOWNS LIKE MORRIS, LASALLE, OTTOWA, ALL THESE TOWNS WERE ORIGINALLY PLANTED BY I & M OTTOWA, ALL THESE TOWNS WERE ORIGINALLY PLANTED BY I & M COMMISSIONERS. ORIGINALLY PLANTED BY I & M COMMISSIONERS. AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY THE COMMISSIONERS. AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY THE CANAL BROUGHT PEOPLE AND EASTERN AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY THE CANAL BROUGHT PEOPLE AND EASTERN CAPITAL TO ILLINOIS BEGINNING IN CANAL BROUGHT PEOPLE AND EASTERN CAPITAL TO ILLINOIS BEGINNING IN 1836 WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN. CAPITAL TO ILLINOIS BEGINNING IN 1836 WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REASON TO 1836 WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REASON TO COME TO NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REASON TO COME TO NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS, OR CHICAGO BEFORE THIS CANAL. COME TO NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS, OR CHICAGO BEFORE THIS CANAL. >> WELL, I HAVE BEEN DOING OR CHICAGO BEFORE THIS CANAL. >> WELL, I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THE >> WELL, I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL FOR OVER RESEARCH ON THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL FOR OVER SIX YEARS, AND IT IS REALLY A ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL FOR OVER SIX YEARS, AND IT IS REALLY A LIFETIME JOB IF I WANT IT. SIX YEARS, AND IT IS REALLY A LIFETIME JOB IF I WANT IT. THERE ARE MANY, MANY STORIES TO LIFETIME JOB IF I WANT IT. THERE ARE MANY, MANY STORIES TO TELL. THERE ARE MANY, MANY STORIES TO TELL. EACH ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES TELL. EACH ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAS A RICH HERITAGE IN HISTORY, EACH ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAS A RICH HERITAGE IN HISTORY, AND EACH ONE OF THESE HAS A RICH HERITAGE IN HISTORY, AND EACH ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAS MANY INDIVIDUALS AND EACH ONE OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAS MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT ALL HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE COMMUNITIES HAS MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT ALL HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE STORIES TO TELL. THAT ALL HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE STORIES TO TELL. >> WELCOME BACK TO OUR TRIP STORIES TO TELL. >> WELCOME BACK TO OUR TRIP ALONG THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN >> WELCOME BACK TO OUR TRIP ALONG THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL. ALONG THE ILLINOIS-MICHIGAN CANAL. WE ARE NOW IN LOCKPORT WHICH WAS CANAL. WE ARE NOW IN LOCKPORT WHICH WAS THE FIRST OR THE LAST LOCK WE ARE NOW IN LOCKPORT WHICH WAS THE FIRST OR THE LAST LOCK DEPENDING ON DIRECTION. THE FIRST OR THE LAST LOCK DEPENDING ON DIRECTION. NOT ONLY WAS IT A TOWN PLOTTED DEPENDING ON DIRECTION. NOT ONLY WAS IT A TOWN PLOTTED BY THE CANAL COMMISSION, BUT IT NOT ONLY WAS IT A TOWN PLOTTED BY THE CANAL COMMISSION, BUT IT WAS THE LOCATION OF ITS BY THE CANAL COMMISSION, BUT IT WAS THE LOCATION OF ITS HEADQUARTERS. WAS THE LOCATION OF ITS HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS THE OLDEST INDUSTRIAL HEADQUARTERS. THIS IS THE OLDEST INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE ON THE CANAL, AND IT THIS IS THE OLDEST INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE ON THE CANAL, AND IT WAS BUILT AS AWARE HOUSE FOR THE STRUCTURE ON THE CANAL, AND IT WAS BUILT AS AWARE HOUSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS. WAS BUILT AS AWARE HOUSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS. TODAY, IT HOUSES EXHIBITS CONSTRUCTION CREWS. TODAY, IT HOUSES EXHIBITS TRACING THE CANAL'S HISTORY, A TODAY, IT HOUSES EXHIBITS TRACING THE CANAL'S HISTORY, A RESTAURANT, AND ART GALLERY. TRACING THE CANAL'S HISTORY, A RESTAURANT, AND ART GALLERY. NEARBY WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST RESTAURANT, AND ART GALLERY. NEARBY WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST MILLS IN THE STATE. NEARBY WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST MILLS IN THE STATE. IT WAS BUILT IN 1852 BY HIRE MILLS IN THE STATE. IT WAS BUILT IN 1852 BY HIRE NORTON. IT WAS BUILT IN 1852 BY HIRE NORTON. IT SERVED AS GRAIN HOUSE, SUPPLY NORTON. IT SERVED AS GRAIN HOUSE, SUPPLY STORE FOR THE CANAL BOATS, AND IT SERVED AS GRAIN HOUSE, SUPPLY STORE FOR THE CANAL BOATS, AND EVEN SERVED AS DORMATORY FOR THE STORE FOR THE CANAL BOATS, AND EVEN SERVED AS DORMATORY FOR THE MULE DRIVERS. EVEN SERVED AS DORMATORY FOR THE MULE DRIVERS. ORIGINALLY THE CANAL WAS MULE DRIVERS. ORIGINALLY THE CANAL WAS 120 FEET WIDE HERE, AND ITS ORIGINALLY THE CANAL WAS 120 FEET WIDE HERE, AND ITS WATERS LAPPED THE FOUNDATION OF 120 FEET WIDE HERE, AND ITS WATERS LAPPED THE FOUNDATION OF THE NORTON BUILDING. WATERS LAPPED THE FOUNDATION OF THE NORTON BUILDING. TODAY, VISITORS CAN STILL SEE THE NORTON BUILDING. TODAY, VISITORS CAN STILL SEE THE LARGE IRON RING FOR THE TODAY, VISITORS CAN STILL SEE THE LARGE IRON RING FOR THE BOATS TO TIE UP AND LOAD AND THE LARGE IRON RING FOR THE BOATS TO TIE UP AND LOAD AND UNLOAD THEIR CARGOS. HERE ARE A FEW QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE I & M CANAL: FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW THE I & M CANAL: FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW CANALS THAT EVER MADE A PROFIT. ALL, IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW CANALS THAT EVER MADE A PROFIT. CHILDREN WERE SOMETIMES TIED TO CANALS THAT EVER MADE A PROFIT. CHILDREN WERE SOMETIMES TIED TO THE BOAT SO THEY WOULDN'T FALL CHILDREN WERE SOMETIMES TIED TO THE BOAT SO THEY WOULDN'T FALL IN THE RIVER AND DROWN. THE BOAT SO THEY WOULDN'T FALL IN THE RIVER AND DROWN. AFTER A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC, IN THE RIVER AND DROWN. AFTER A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC, CHICAGO SENT A HEALTH INSPECTOR AFTER A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC, CHICAGO SENT A HEALTH INSPECTOR TO LASALLE TO SCREEN BOTH THE CHICAGO SENT A HEALTH INSPECTOR TO LASALLE TO SCREEN BOTH THE PASSENGERS AND THE BOAT CREWS. ARCHER AVENUE, WHICH RUNS THROUGH LOCKPORT, WAS CREATED IN 1830 TO CONNECT THE CANAL THROUGH LOCKPORT, WAS CREATED IN 1830 TO CONNECT THE CANAL HEADQUARTERS WITH CHICAGO AND 1830 TO CONNECT THE CANAL HEADQUARTERS WITH CHICAGO AND WAS NAMED AFTER WILLIAM ARCHER, HEADQUARTERS WITH CHICAGO AND WAS NAMED AFTER WILLIAM ARCHER, ONE OF THE CAL CANAL WAS NAMED AFTER WILLIAM ARCHER, ONE OF THE CAL CANAL COMMISSIONERS. ONE OF THE CAL CANAL COMMISSIONERS. AND JUST LIKE WHEN IT FIRST COMMISSIONERS. AND JUST LIKE WHEN IT FIRST OPENED, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND JUST LIKE WHEN IT FIRST OPENED, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS STILL OVER SEES THE CANAL AND OPENED, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS STILL OVER SEES THE CANAL AND ITS MAINTENANCE. STILL OVER SEES THE CANAL AND ITS MAINTENANCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SITES ITS MAINTENANCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SITES ALONG THE CANAL OR TO PLAN A FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SITES ALONG THE CANAL OR TO PLAN A TRIP, CALL THE I & M CANAL ALONG THE CANAL OR TO PLAN A TRIP, CALL THE I & M CANAL VISITOR'S CENTER (815)838-4830. TRIP, CALL THE I & M CANAL VISITOR'S CENTER (815)838-4830. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VISITOR'S CENTER (815)838-4830. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GAYLORD BUILDING EXHIBITS, AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GAYLORD BUILDING EXHIBITS, AND THE PORT OF LASALLE ATTRACTION, GAYLORD BUILDING EXHIBITS, AND THE PORT OF LASALLE ATTRACTION, CALL CANAL CORRIDOR ASSOCIATION THE PORT OF LASALLE ATTRACTION, CALL CANAL CORRIDOR ASSOCIATION AT (815)588-1100.