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

Illinois & Michigan Canal Office

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

1. Illinois & Michigan Canal Office Marker

Inscription.
In 1837 the town of Lockport was laid out by the Illinois and Michigan Canal commissioners and a residence-office was built. The first floor of the permanent structure was completed in 1837, and became headquarters for construction and administration of the waterway. The canal, which extended ninety-six miles from the South Branch of the Chicago River near Lake Michigan to the Illinois River at Peru, was in operation from 1848 to 1914. This building, now owned by the Will County Historical Society, houses the Illinois and Michigan Canal Museum.

Erected 1976 by Will County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 41° 35.421′ N, 88° 3.433′ W. Marker is in Lockport, Illinois, in Will County. It is at the intersection of State Street (Illinois Route 171) and 8th Street, on the right when traveling south on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 803 South State Street, Lockport IL 60441, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Gaylord (within shouting distance of this marker); William Schuler (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Whittling Their Time Away" (about 300 feet away); Abraham Lincoln and Lockport (about 300 feet away); Abraham Lincoln (about 300 feet away); Gaylord Donnelly Canal Trail Mile Marker 29.1 (about 400 feet away); Lockport City Hall (about 700 feet away); War Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockport.

Also see . . .
1. Illinois and Michigan Canal. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Will County Historical Museum and Research Center on Facebook. (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area. Heritage Area website homepage. (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

4. Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bureau website homepage (Submitted on August 17, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Illinois & Michigan Canal Office and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

2. Illinois & Michigan Canal Office and Marker

Old Stone Slab Sidewalk at Illinois & Michigan Canal Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

3. Old Stone Slab Sidewalk at Illinois & Michigan Canal Office

Along 8th Street on north side of museum

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.