Lincoln Landing Curriculum Unit An introductory lesson about the Illinois & Michigan Canal and the Lincoln Landing site

Illinois: 1600’s – 1700’s Beautiful prairie land, ideal for agriculture Potawatomi Indians lived in northern Illinois area. Their homes were called wigwams. They enjoyed the rich soil, abundant wildlife and the rivers of Illinois.

Father Jacques Marquette & Louis Joliet explored Illinois Traveled from Green Bay, Wisconsin to Illinois via canoes Trapped furs along Illinois waterways Traded with Indians and learned about a waterway through Illinois

Marquette & Joliet discover a water route through Illinois Canoed & portaged upriver from Arkansas back into Illinois Learned from Indians that Illinois River could be navigated upriver back to Chicago Returned to Green Bay with idea for a canal to create a corridor from east to west.

Illinois & Michigan Canal links Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico 96 mile canal from Lake Michigan to the Illinois River Construction began in 1836 and was completed in Much of canal was built by Irish immigrant workers. Canal opened commerce from the eastern United States to the Gulf of Mexico.

Importance of Locks along Canal 15 locks were built to allow canal boats to drop from the water level of Lake Michigan to that of the Illinois River. Boats carried grain, wood (pictured here), people and other cargo. A trip from Chicago to LaSalle took about 24 hours. Boats were pulled by donkeys which walked along a tow path next to the canal.

Importance of Lockport Headquarters of the I & M Canal Engineer William Gooding designed the canal from office in Lockport Canal Commissioners met here and tolls collected in LaSalle, Ottawa, Joliet and Bridgeport were accounted for.

Importance of Lockport Public Landing was location for much trade and dormitories for canal workers. This is now the site of the Lincoln Landing exhibit. Gaylord Building was a grain storage facility along the canal. Led to growth of Lockport and other towns along the canal

Importance of Abraham Lincoln to I & M Canal & Illinois History Lincoln – Douglas Debate: one of most important debates in American history took place in Ottawa, Illinois. Lincoln made political deal that helped fund the completion of the I & M Canal. Part of the deal included moving the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield, Illinois. As President, he announced the opening of the canal in Congress.

Lincoln Landing Exhibit Field trip site to learn about I & M Canal, Lockport, Abraham Lincoln and important events in Illinois history. Located along the I & M Canal in Lockport Medallions throughout the park describe important people. Other plaques describe artifacts and important buildings

Lesson Review True or False The I & M Canal connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. FALSE: The I & M Canal connects the Great Lakes to the Illinois River, which then connects to the Mississippi River & the Gulf of Mexico.

Lesson Review True or False Construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal was completed by Irish immigrant workers. TRUE: Irish immigrants were instrumental in constructing the 96 mile canal.

Lesson Review William Gooding was the engineer who designed the I & M Canal. His office was located in Lockport, Illinois. Multiple Choice Who was the engineer responsible for designing the I & M Canal? Abraham Lincoln Father Jacque Marquette William Gooding