Here you stand at the west end of a 7.5 mile long water and overland travel route across a continental divide between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi River systems, known as the Chicago Portage. Well-known to Native Americans, the route was first . . . — — Map (db m157109) HM
There is a long history of people traversing this region. American Indians, explorers, French and American fur traders, settlers and travelers to the West have all passed before you.
Before roads, rivers and lakes were the quickest paths . . . — — Map (db m254807) HM
Along these waterways and trails, history has passed. The Chicago Portage has served as the connecting link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River System.
In 1673, led by American Indians, explorers Marquette and Joliet became . . . — — Map (db m254795) HM
This site preserves the west end of the old Chicago Portage which linked the Illinois River with Lake Michigan.
Early Explorers
In 1673 French explorer Louis Jolliet and missionary Father Jacques Marquette were returning to . . . — — Map (db m254805) HM
ca. 14,000 to 12,000 years ago - Glacial Lake Chicago drains through the Chicago outlet ca. 12,000 years ago - First humans in the Midwest ca. 4,000 years ago - The Nipissing Stage of the Great Lakes drains through the Chicago outlet . . . — — Map (db m254802) HM
Better transportation to markets in the East helped turn the Midwest's natural resources into commodities. Grain from farmlands that replaced the tallgrass prairie now filled canal boats and ships headed to markets in the east. Vast pine forests to . . . — — Map (db m254808) HM
From the time people first came to this region, Portage Creek provided a natural connection between two great waterways - the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. A short canoe carry, or portage, was all that was needed for Indians, fur traders . . . — — Map (db m157679) HM
