Celebrating 175 Years of the I & M Canal
Travel Inspiration
In 1848, the Illinois & Michigan Canal was completed – a hand-dug, 96-mile canal that stretched between LaSalle and Chicago. The year 2023 marked 175 years since that feat was completed. The creation of the canal drew in settlers and created markets, causing a population boom and spurring growth. Downtowns were established around the canal, and it had a huge impact in the development of areas that became today’s busy suburbs. Many of them have thriving downtowns today, in part because of the role of the I & M canal.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing the first National Heritage Area in the nation. The Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area was established, and it now encompasses an outdoor museum where visitors can explore the diverse stories of this living landscape. The corridor is an 862-square-mile region encompassing five counties and 60 communities. For more information, visit IandMCanal.org.
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