Recently, I had posted a question regarding the "old canal" in Peoria, IL. I have the answer and would like to share it with you. This information was sent to me by a cousin, Jackie C. The "old canal" was the Illinois - Michigan Canal. It is a 120 mile long corridor that extends from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Illinois River in LaSalle / Peru. It passed through 49 communities in five counties. The canal itself was 96 miles long and dug more than 150 years ago by thousands of immigrants, most of them Irish, by hand. The canal opened in 1848. The canal opened a shipping channel all the way from New York Harbor to New Orleans. It ushered in waves of development and made Chicago America's greatest inland port and gave birth to many towns along the way. It also made it possible for the farmers in the area to ship their grain to eastern markets. The Illinois - Michigan Canal closed in 1933. Woodford County, is located just south-west of LaSalle County farther down the Illinois River. If you want to find more information about the canal, check this web site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcanal. ============================================================ ============================================================ This email and any attachments may contain confidential information and it is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient you should destroy this message and notify the sender by reply email. If you are not the addressee any disclosure, reproduction or transmission of this email is strictly prohibited. This email has been scanned for viruses, however it is recommended that any attachments are also checked at the addressee's end. We will not be held responsible for any virus that is contracted via this email. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this email are those of the sender and are not necessarily reflective of the policies and views of the company. No reliance may be placed upon this email without written confirmation of its contents. ============================================================ ============================================================