The Illinois and Michigan canal, known by its initials, is a totally handdug canal, worked primarily by Irish immigrants who came to the U. S. “promised land” to escape the Potato Famine. The I & M was the first complete waterway for those traveling from the east coast to the Gulf of Mexico.

Before the canal was dug, it was only a dream that there would be an easier route to travel between Chicago and LaSalle. The canal was created by back-breaking labor that connected Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River by way of the Illinois River. According to the Department of Natural Resources, “French explorers Joliet and Marquette recognized the value of this water route for navigation in the 1600s. It was used heavily by Native Americans and traders from this time until 1823, when Illinois created a Canal Commission to oversee design and construction of the I&M Canal.”

The tour guide who led the boat tour the last full weekend of June was dressed in 1800s attire. He said the canal was not completed until 1848, because funding for the project dried up. Once the funding was reestablished, the canal project began again and was finished at a cost of $6.5 million.

The canal begins at the south branch of the Chicago River at Bridgeport and extends 96 miles to the Illinois River at LaSalle. The canal was originally 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep. Although a safety session is required by the Coast Guard, the tour guide provided a rather humorous lesson on how to use the life vests, should the need arise. “If you go under the water, take a moment, then stand up and walk to shore,” he said. “The canal is three feet deep!” The reopened canal is not as deep as the original, but the boat is pulled along by a mule, just like it would have been back when Abraham and Mary Lincoln would

have taken the ride. In fact, the guide said the Lincolns took a packet boat at least twice rather than take a train or stage coach. The 24hour trip was quicker than an overland coach ride, even though the train eventually surpassed the packet boat in speed.

Along the canal there were 15 locks built to accommodate differences in elevation. As soon as the canal was complete, commercial traffic began immediately. Besides the mules, the barge was pulled by horses walking on the towpaths. In 1933, the Illinois Waterway was completed and the I &M Canal was closed to navigation. Since this time the canal has been developed for recreation.

It was just in 2008 that the packet boat departing in LaSalle began offering canal rides. The boat is a full-size replica canal boat that offers a 45-minute to an hour-long cruise.

To catch a ride on the I & M, cruises are operated by the “Lock 16” Visitor Center of the Canal Corridor Association located at 754 First St in LaSalle. Information about cruises is available by calling 815-588-1100.

To get there, exit Route 80 West at mile marker #77 (Rt. 351) South on Rt. 351 to First Street. Building is located at 754 First St. (southwest corner of Rt. 351 and First St.).

Cindy Ladage of Virden has written a collection of short stories titled Porch Swing Tales I, II and III, a novel, Where Did Laurita Go? and, along with Jane Aumann, two children’s farm books.