I&M Canal Trail
Stroll Through La Salle's History
In 1836, the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal foreshadowed an industrial and economic boom for La Salle. Running from Bridgeport on Chicago’s South Side to La Salle, the canal effectively connected Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River, New York to the Gulf of Mexico, and La Salle to the world.
The Waterway that Built La Salle
Opened in 1848, the 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal was a hand-dug engineering feat that linked the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system and tied towns like La Salle directly to Chicago and beyond. Carved through a glacial passageway and used by Native Americans, French fur traders, pioneers, canal traders, and shipping industries, the canal transformed the region and economy.
Transportation Hub
For Midwest farmers and merchants, the canal made it possible to ship crops and goods reliably to market, while bringing new people, ideas, and products into the area. Leaders such as Abraham Lincoln praised the canal for its role in expanding transportation and opportunity, and at its peak, the I&M Canal turned La Salle into an essential gateway linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and the rest of the United States, putting the growing town on the map.
First National Heritage Area
In 1984, the Illinois & Michigan Canal was designated as America’s first National Heritage Area by the National Park Service. Since then, the Canal Corridor Association, located on First Street in La Salle, has worked closely with the National Park Service to determine how to best promote the area’s heritage and stories relevant to local interests as well as to visitors from across the globe.
The Canal Today
Today, the I&M Canal invites visitors to explore and discover the vital role it played in shaping La Salle and the state of Illinois. Enjoy a peaceful walk, step aboard an 1848 replica canal boat for a guided ride, or take advantage of the Canal Corridor Association’s Bike Share Program to rent a bicycle and enjoy a scenic journey through La Salle and neighboring communities along the trail.
I&M Canal Visitor Center
The I&M Canal Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your I&M Canal National Heritage Area Adventure. Discover the I&M Canal’s role in regional and American History through stunning exhibits, browse Illinois, Lincoln, and Canal-centric shirts, books, postcards, and mementos at the Gift Shop, or grab a bite at Lock 16 Café, which serves delicious, handcrafted foods and beverages.
