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History of Lockport
in 1836, Lockport lies nestled in the Des Plaines River Valley. The I&M Canal fueled the growth of the City of Chicago, the Midwest region, and the nation.
Working to complete the I&M Canal, Chief Engineer William Gooding realized that the site of present-day Lockport, which is 40 feet higher than Joliet, had great water-power potential. In its early days, Lockport thrived as the canal’s headquarters and as an agricultural processing center. Lockport saw the construction of dozens of flour mills, grain warehouses, and boatyards.
As the first navigable link between the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi River, the canal played an enormous role in theeconomic growth of Illinois and the Midwest. The arrival of the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1858 was the catalyst for evenmore growth.
Today, you can tour this historic area by foot, bicycle, or car. Through the extensive efforts of the community, its government, and various associations, you will see everything from simple cottages of the past canal workers to the cream-colored limestonearchitectural works such as the Gaylord and Norton buildings, appearing just as they did in the 1800s.
The importance of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and Lockport to the economic vitality of Illinois cannot be overstated. As a directwaterway link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, the canal cemented Chicago’s domination over St. Louis as the centerof Midwestern trade and thereby, Lockport’s legacy as the “City that made Chicago famous.”
Since the days of shipping on the canal, Lockport has progressed to become a city of the future while still embracing its rich past.
A combination of retail stores and restaurants, light and medium industry, and an abundance of activities, events and celebrations are new attractions in the dynamic community. Lockport truly is a City of Historic Pride with goals that will create an even brighter future.
Today, the Lockport Area Genealogical & Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of our great town, so that future generations can enjoy our heritage as we have. You can find historical documents and photos on LAGHS’ website at lockporthistory.org and follow them on Facebook @lockporthistory. You can also look to the source of the photographs on this page, as part of the Howard and Lois Adelmann Regional History Collection - Lewis University, CARLI digital collections by visiting http:// collections.carli.illinois.edu for additional photographs and historic information.
