 Lewis University Canal and Regional History Collection |
"The trickle of commerce between east and west swelled into a continuous flow of people and goods. The Midwest's hub became Chicago, and the city's population soared 600% in the decade after the opening of the canal. The growing prosperity was not limited to Chicago; communities along the canal route flourished. Illinois underwent a tremendous change in population and immigrants poured into the northern part of the state."(Illinois & Michigan Canal Pamphlet, National Park Service)
"The Illinois and Michigan Canal, we have before announced, is open, and trade and intercourse has already commenced. Yesterday, there was an arrival of white fish from Chicago, by way of the canal, consigned to Matterson & Preston. Sugar and other heavy articles have already reached Chicago from New Orleans, and a portion of the sugar has been sent forward on speculation to Buffalo" (St. Louis Repub. May 1848)
"The Canal - There is now a considerable business doing on the canal. The packets make their daily trips with the utmost regularity, and are gererally crowded with passengers. Freight boats are arriving and departing from this place daily. The prospect now is, that the canal will do an immence business this season."
(Joliet Signal May 1848)
Updated March 1, 2000
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