The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

"Shovel Day"

September 3, 1892

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

1. "Shovel Day" Marker

Inscription.
Began the construction of the Sanitary & Ship Canal

January 2, 1900 — Reversal of the River Waters

Erected 2000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1892.

Location. 41° 53.27′ N, 87° 36.833′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is at the intersection of Chicago Riverwalk and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west on Chicago Riverwalk. The mural is in the underpass beneath Lake Shore Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: The Burnham Plan (here, next to this marker); Chicago (here, next to this marker); The Michigan Avenue Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Chicago in the 1830s (a few steps from this marker); The Reversal of the Chicago River (a few steps from this marker); A Century of Progress (a few steps from this marker); Chicago River Bridge Technology (a few steps from this marker); The World's Columbian Exposition (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The mural is one of several erected in the Chicago Riverwalk's tunnel beneath Lake Shore Drive, close to where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.

Also see . . . A River Reversed: How 19th Century Engineering Saved Chicago.

Excerpt: "Construction began with a "Shovel Day" groundbreaking celebration on September 3, 1892, featuring a parade of horse drawn carriages full of unrealistically optimistic dignitaries. They hoped to see the main channel completed by April of 1896, but unforeseen difficulties and disputes between certain contractors and the Sanitary District
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 10, 2024

2. Chicago Riverwalk murals beneath Lake Shore Drive
delayed completion until four years later."

(Submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Dynamite blast during construction of the Sanitary and Ship Canal image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum (ICHi-0039423-02), August 22, 1895

3. Dynamite blast during construction of the Sanitary and Ship Canal

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on December 4, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.