Illinois and Michigan Canal, Historic waterway in Illinois, United States
The Illinois and Michigan Canal is a historic waterway in Illinois that runs 96 miles from the Chicago River to the Illinois River near LaSalle-Peru. Fifteen engineered locks managed elevation changes throughout the route.
Construction began in 1836 and ended in 1848, when workers completed the waterway that first linked the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River system. This connection opened continuous water transport across the continent.
The waterway transformed Chicago into a trading hub by linking eastern markets with western farmlands and resources. Today, visitors can see how the canal shaped settlement patterns and economic life across northern Illinois.
A parallel trail follows the waterway and works well for walking or cycling, with access from several points. Preserved locks and landing areas along the route offer landmarks and resting spots.
As the first National Heritage Corridor in the United States, this waterway protects numerous original structures from the mid-1800s. Many bridges and lockkeeper houses still stand exactly where they were built.
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