Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. "Illinois & Michigan Canal, Aux Sable Creek Aqueduct, Morris, Grundy County, IL"
The Illinois & Michigan Canal just passed its 173rd anniversary in April 2021! Were your ancestors some of those who labored to build this "modern marvel" during the heyday of canal building in the United States? Most of the workers were Irish immigrants. It took 12 years, with construction beginning in 1836, under grueling conditions, plagued by malaria and other major hardships.
Below are links to some recent articles and blogs giving more historical details. WAS YOUR FAMILY INVOLVED?
- From an April 2021 ALPLM Blog - https://presidentlincoln.illinois.gov/Blog/Posts/116/Illinois-History/2021/4/The-IM-Canal-A-Modern-Marvel/blog-post/
- From an ISGS Spring 2020 Quarterly article by Debra Dudek - https://ilgensoc.org/upload/files/Publications/isgs_%E2%80%93_spring_2020_CANAL.pdf
- From an April 2021 Chicago Tribune - https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-illinois-and-michigan-canal-0411-20210411-cuqc6keuyzd2dccibjdh3zg4ii-story.html
© 2021, copyright Illinois State Genealogical Society
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