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LaSalle in LaSalle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

La Salle-Peru, Illinois

 
 
La Salle-Peru, Illinois Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, December 21, 2011
1. La Salle-Peru, Illinois Marker
Inscription. The story of the twin cities of LaSalle and Peru is closely interwoven with the history of the Illinois River and the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In 1673, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet passed through this area by way of the Illinois River enroute to Lake Michigan. The explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle, also came through here in 1680, and in 1682-83. His Lieutenant Henri de Tonti erected Fort St. Louis at Starved Rock to the east, now a state park.

Jolliet first noted the desirability of a canal connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi via the Illinois. In 1825 the Illinois and Michigan Canal Association was incorporated and in 1836 the Internal Improvement Act which included a provision for a north-south railroad through Illinois was passed by the legislature. The convergence of these important transportation facilities in this area encouraged further settlement. Peru, organized in 1834, was incorporated in 1838. Activity eventually shifted to LaSalle, since the boat basin of the canal and the railroad routes were finally located there. Settled as early as 1830, LaSalle was not incorporated until 1852.

Construction on the canal was begun in 1836 and completed in 1848. It extended from the Chicago River to LaSalle-Peru and was an important trade link for thirty years. Two railroads, completed to
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LaSalle in the 1850s eventually replaced the canal in importance and the emphasis in the twin cities gradually shifted from transportation to mining and industry.
 
Erected 1988 by Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Historical Society.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1673.
 
Location. 41° 19.981′ N, 89° 5.479′ W. Marker is in LaSalle, Illinois, in LaSalle County. Marker is on 5th Street (U.S. 6) west of Crosat Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in Pulaski Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1034 5th Street, La Salle IL 61301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Roch's Bells (approx. 0.2 miles away); Julius W. Hegeler I Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. Paul Carus / Dr. Daisetz Teitaru Suzuki (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hegeler Carus Mansion (approx. 0.3 miles away); LaSalle City Hall-1906 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Wilbourn (approx. 1½ miles away); Maud Powell (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cox Country Grade School (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaSalle.
 
Pulaski Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, December 21, 2011
2. Pulaski Park
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,376 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.

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Mar. 28, 2024