Michigan Canal

The Michigan Canal was a 75-mile waterway constructed in the mid-19th century that connected Lake Michigan to the Illinois River, facilitating transportation and trade between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River system. It provided an efficient route for moving goods and people, boosting commerce and migration in the region. The canal played a key role in the development of Chicago and contributed significantly to the economic growth of the Midwest. Though largely replaced by railroads and modern infrastructure today, its construction marked an important advancement in connecting the interior of North America.