William Schuler
Mule Driver
To George Gaylord
I started driving mules in 1885 when I was about fourteen years old. When traveling from Lockport to Chicago, you went against the current, and it would take five husky mules to pull the boat at around two miles an hour.
To Joseph W. Foster
The mules were lined up one behind the other and connected to the boat by a towrope, which stretched 300-350 feet. I would walk beside or ride one of the mules along the towpath, while a man on the boat steered. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 41° 35.441′ N, 88° 3.487′ W. Marker is in Lockport, Illinois, in Will County. Marker is part of the I&M Canal Plaza at the Gaylord Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West 8th Street, Lockport IL 60441, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Whittling Their Time Away" (here, next to this marker); George Gaylord (a few steps from this marker); Abraham Lincoln (a few steps from this marker); Gaylord Donnelly Canal Trail Mile Marker 29.1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois & Michigan Canal Office (about
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area. Heritage Center website homepage (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bureau website entry (Submitted on August 19, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. The Gaylord Building, Lockport IL. Historic Site website homepage (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
