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 Visit
the Gaylord Building National Trust Historic Site
 Discover
the back roads, canal towns, trails, parks, and historic sites
from Lemont to LaSalle
Featured Article |
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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 |
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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. |
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Upcoming Events
Thursday, June 18, 2009 Dinner & A Lecture: From Lockport to Yunnan, Expansion of the Heritage Areas for Tourism and Economic Development
Thursday, August 20, 2009 Dinner & A Lecture: Abraham Lincoln in American Art
Friday, August 21, 2009 Exhibition Opening - Abraham Lincoln: Self-made in America
Saturday, August 22, 2009 Breakfast with the Lincolns
Thursday, October 15, 2009 Dinner & A Lecture: Parishes on the Prairie, Roman Catholic Churches Along the Illinois & Michigan Canal
Thursday, December 17, 2009 Dinner & A Lecture: To Be Announced
For a detailed calendar of events click here
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