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Illinois & Michigan Canal _______________
Driving Directions
From Quincy take I-172 south for 15 miles to I-72. Take I-72 east 100
miles to Springfield. Go Northeast on I-55 for 72 miles to I-39. Take
I-39 north for 53 miles to La Salle-Peru. Approximately 240 miles.
Calendar of Events
For a list of events along the I & M Canal
check out the Heritage
Corridor site or visit this site.
History
The Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor was created
in 1984 to preserve the historical and cultural significance of the Illinois
& Michigan Canal. The Illinois & Michigan Canal connected the Great
Lakes to the Illinois River and provided a link between the East Coast and
the Mississippi River Valley.
As far back as the 1760's, explorer Louis Joliet pointed out the possibility of connecting Lake Michigan to the Illinois River with a man-made canal. It wasn’t until July 4, 1836, that actual construction began on the canal. The canal was built 60 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and measured 96 miles long from Chicago to La Salle. Construction took twelve years and the canal was opened in 1848.
When construction began in 1836, Chicago’s population was a mere 3,820 residents. Just two years after the canal’s completion in 1850, the population had exploded to nearly 30,000. Chicago became the nation’s largest inland port as a direct result of the canal. The canal provided a speedy route for passengers and goods and was actually one of a few American canals to earn a profit from tolls.
In 1854 the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad opened its route to the Mississippi River and eliminated the canal’s passenger traffic. The speedier railroad took its toll on canal business. Canal traffic and revenue declined enough that the Illinois & Michigan Canal was closed in 1933 when the Illinois Waterway System was completed.
The National Heritage Corridor designation in 1984 helped canal communities to focus on their historical importance and restore significant canal sites. There are nearly 50 communities along the 120-mile corridor. Visitors to the corridor will find state parks, forest preserves, nature areas, and local parks that offer picnicking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping. The canal corridor also provides diverse historical sites and a variety of cultural attractions.