67-426: Lemont may refer to: Lemont, Illinois Lemont, Pennsylvania Lemont, Tasmania Lemont Township, Cook County, Illinois [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles about distinct geographical locations with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
134-499: A Potawatomi chief) and a post office was established in 1840 as Keepatau . After that, it was named Athens and then Palmyra . The name Lemont (literally, 'the mountain' in French) was chosen in 1850 at the suggestion of Lemuel Brown, the postmaster and justice of the peace, or perhaps by his brother Nathaniel Brown. Established in 1836, the village of Lemont stands as one of the oldest American communities in northeastern Illinois. It
201-479: A barge line. The canal required smaller barges so the two bought a steamboat and began erecting barges. They bought gravel and transported it to people who were interested in buying some. Besides gravel, they shipped steel and coal for the International Harvester Company (Yeater 12). Traffic on the canal was never heavy, and critics complained that it was obsolete when it was constructed and that it
268-440: A boat was coming through the locks. There were 750-pound poles spanning across 104 miles (167 km) of the canal. Some of these poles remain standing today (Yeater 10). The canal was not only a route to transport coal, salt, grain, gravel, iron, steel, and many other crops and minerals, but it was a place for recreation as well. Family and friends would participate in picnics, swimming, and most noteworthy, fishing. Fish caught in
335-520: A decision of the length, cost, and route. As a result, area people began to raise funds (Bastian 138). As these actions were taking place, C.C. Johnson, minority leader of legislature, and C. L. Sheldon went to Washington, D.C., to discuss the matter with Honorable Redfield Potter, Secretary of War. When they returned, a survey was made that showed that the tapping of the river at Rock Falls would be 11 miles (18 km) shorter and cheaper than tapping at Dixon would be; government officials checked figures, and
402-441: A five-foot width increase would be added to plans (Yeater 5). After the setbacks, the canal construction continued promptly; however, it did not continue uninterrupted. Workers discovered 3 miles (4.8 km) of peat bog; therefore, the bed of the canal was lined with clay to prevent water loss. In 1894, the construction on the eastern half began. This section was the most difficult because the canal ascends 196 feet (60 m) from
469-532: A waterway, engineering innovations used in its construction were a bonus to the construction industry. The canal was used as a training ground for engineers who later worked on the Panama Canal . Both the Hennepin and Panama Canals used concrete lock chambers and both used a feeder canal from a man-made lake to water the canals because both needed water to flow uphill. From its inception in 1834 to its closure in 1951,
536-597: Is 104.5 miles (168.2 km) long. The Hennepin Canal follows a natural low area between Hennepin and Rock Island. This is actually the ancient channel of the Mississippi River, which at one time flowed from Rock Island to Hennepin, and then south through what is now the Illinois River channel. The Illinoian Stage , about 300,000 to 132,000 years before present day, blocked the Mississippi River near Rock Island, diverting
603-558: Is Cpl. John Warden, the only Lemont resident ever awarded the Medal of Honor. By 1854, railroads transported goods faster than water, and the I&;M became obsolete as Lemont evolved into a railroad community; the village was incorporated on June 9, 1873. Increasingly, the canal was used to carry wastes away from Chicago. In 1900, the larger Sanitary and Ship Canal went into operation, carrying both wastes and larger, more modern barges . All use of
670-494: Is historically significant for its role in transforming the northern region of the state from a sparsely settled frontier to a commercial, agricultural, and industrial region that supplied Chicago and areas beyond with commodities. Lemont is also unique in boasting an authentic historic district that remains intact and has been continually used since the 19th century. In 2016, the Lemont Downtown Historic District
737-582: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Opened in 1907, the canal was soon abandoned because of railroad competition. It was resurrected in the late 20th century as a recreational waterway. Its former name was the Illinois and Mississippi Canal . The main canal length is 75.2 miles (121.0 km), and its feeder canal is 29.3 miles (47.2 km) long. The state park spans five counties ( Rock Island , Bureau , Henry , Lee and Whiteside ) and
SECTION 10
#1732851592192804-716: Is located on 127th Street. Former: Evanston • Hyde Park • Jefferson • Lake • Lake View • North Chicago • Rogers Park • South Chicago • West Chicago Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park The Hennepin Canal State Trail , also just called the Hennepin Canal , is an abandoned waterway in northwest Illinois , between the Mississippi River at Rock Island and the Illinois River near Hennepin . The entire canal
871-593: Is prohibited. Several campgrounds and day use areas are located all along the canal. These include the Izaak Walton League of America ’s Geneseo Chapter, Geneseo Campground, Ludeen’s Landing in East Moline , and several DNR day use and/or camping parks at Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 17, Lock 21, Bridge 14, Lock 22, Bridge 23, Lock 23, and Lock 26. The canal’s Visitor Center is located off the trail near Sheffield, Illinois . The nonprofit organization Friends of
938-571: The Chicago Daily Tribune had this to say: “The Athens and DesPlaines quarries, situated on the Illinois and Michigan canal, embrace 335 acres of the finest stone in the West, known as “Athens Marble”. This stone has a high reputation for color, durability and beauty, which renders it quite an article of commerce”. Cargo and passengers were transported on the I&M until the early 20th century, when
1005-558: The Des Plaines River in birch bark canoes on trading trips between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan . The native Potawatomi lived off the land in this area, directly using natural resources for food, shelter, clothing and medicine. In the 18th century, French voyageurs traveled down the Des Plaines River, trading Native Americans metal, beads and cloth for animal furs. Lemont was originally known as Keepataw (after
1072-549: The Erie Canal , Lake Erie , Lake Huron and Lake Michigan to Chicago, then through the I&M Canal for 97 miles (156 km) entering the Illinois River at LaSalle, Illinois , to the Mississippi River, to New Orleans ) to the Gulf of Mexico . Immigrant workers, mostly Irish , settled in Lemont to work on the canal and later moved along the corridor of the canal, improving farms within
1139-519: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago and SS. Cyril and Methodius church in the Polish Cathedral style . Both are situated on the sides of hills, giving an even more dramatic backdrop to their monumental architecture. On June 13, 1976, at 5:18 PM, a killer tornado struck Lemont and took three lives. 23 were injured, 87 homes were destroyed and 82 more were damaged. Damage to the high school alone
1206-518: The Manhattan Project . After the war, Argonne National Laboratory was designated as the first national laboratory in the United States on July 1, 1946. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor as the nation's first National Heritage Corridor . The status recognizes the historic importance of this region and
1273-501: The U.S. state of Illinois , and is a south-west suburb of Chicago . The population was 17,629 as of the 2020 census . The village is situated on a hillside along the south banks of the Des Plaines River . It overlooks Waterfall Glen's Midwestern Bluff Savanna on the opposite side. Lemont is home to Argonne National Laboratory and other heavy industrial sites, and has a substantial European immigrant population. Before European settlers arrived in Lemont, Native Americans traveled
1340-731: The Union Army during the American Civil War , and the Old Stone Church, built in 1861 of limestone, was used as a recruiting depot. It served as the Lemont Methodist Episcopal Church for 100 years, from 1861 until 1970, when it became home to the Lemont Area Historical Society. The oldest building in Lemont, it now serves as a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . During
1407-582: The Blue Ribbon award in 2019. Public schools in Lemont include: Private/parochial schools: Productions filmed in Lemont include: Lemont has a station on Metra 's Heritage Corridor , which provides weekday rail service between Joliet and Chicago Union Station . In 2007, the Interstate 355 tollway extension opened, providing Lemont with more direct access to the Chicago expressway system. An interchange
SECTION 20
#17328515921921474-650: The Civil War, Lemont was required to sign up 33 soldiers, the village recruited 293 soldiers; only 63 returned. The Lemont Civil War Memorial Committee was formed to build a memorial to honor Lemont's Civil War veterans. The monument was dedicated in 2008 in Legion Park at the east end of Main Street, opposite the Metra Station. Of the 293 soldiers sent to fight in the war, only 243 names of the enlisted soldiers are known. Among them
1541-681: The Corps of Engineers issued a “navigation notice” that put the canal on a limited-service basis. All the chaos led to the suspension of all lock operations and non-essential maintenance in 1951 (Yeater 12). Legislators in Washington, D.C., and in Springfield were getting innumerable letters and petitions from Illinois citizens and conservationists. These groups organized campaigns with “Save the Canal” as their theme. The legislators of Illinois began to plan to take over
1608-657: The Great Lakes region, received 4th place after losing to the Beaverton, Oregon , team and was the only team to beat the champions from Georgia . Upon returning home, the Lemont team received a parade down State Street in honor of their achievements. The BMW Championship (PGA Tour) , and the prior Western Open , were held in unincorporated Lemont township between 1991 and 2007, and 2009 to 2011. Cog Hill Golf & Country Club has subsequently rejected incorporation into Lemont and has agreed to incorporate into Palos Park. The tournament
1675-489: The Hennepin Canal still hold Illinois records. Swimming was also popular, so popular, in fact, that the local YMCAs held swimming classes in the canal (Yeater 11). The Corps of Engineers employed fifty men full-time, year-round to operate and maintain the canal. The Corps divided the canal into sections. Each section had a lockman and/or a patrolman. Some of their tasks included patrolling banks, repairing breaks, operating
1742-530: The Hennepin Canal works “[t]o maintain and develop recreational and educational opportunities and assist in the preservation of the historical features of the Hennepin Canal Parkway.” Five of the locks have been restored to working condition, although they are not used. All of the gates from the remaining locks have been replaced with concrete walls, creating a series of waterfalls. The organization hosts events, including many coordinated with and approved by
1809-641: The I&M Canal ended in 1933, with the opening of the canal's modern successor - the Illinois Waterway. By about 1920, the quarries declined as styles changed and builders began to use Bedford limestone from Indiana and less expensive materials like concrete. During World War II , the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago moved into the nearby Argonne Forest preserves to carry out Enrico Fermi 's work on nuclear reactors for
1876-649: The IHSA State Championships in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2017. In 2020, the Lemont High School wrestling program won the 2020 IHSA Class 2A Dual Team State Championship and set a school record for wins. Three National Blue Ribbon Schools are located in Lemont, recognized by the US Department of Education for excellence in student achievement. Lemont High School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2017. Saints Cyril and Methodius School received
1943-557: The Lemont limestone, abundant in local quarries. Today, 38 of those buildings remain as the Lemont downtown district. Lemont limestone was used to build the Chicago Water Tower , a building that "gained special significance as one of the few buildings to survive the destructive path of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871". In the early years, this stone was known as " Athens Marble " as a nod to its place of origin. An 1859 item in
2010-635: The Marais d’Osier route be selected. The report was accepted by the Secretary of War and the Chief Engineers; however, the route was later rejected because of commercial reasons and the greater military significance that the Rock Island route had to offer (Yeater 3). Fulton and Albany claimed that their cities were an ideal place for the canal, but Rock Island had a larger population and flourishing river port, so it
2077-533: The Mississippi into its modern channel. The idea to build the canal arose in 1834 (Sage 1). It would allow the shipping of heavy and bulky freight where the railroad could not. The proposed canal would join the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers creating a quick route from Chicago to the Mississippi River. To build the canal would mean that local citizens would have to gain the support of their state and other beneficial government officials (Yeater 2). The canal reduced
Lemont - Misplaced Pages Continue
2144-483: The November 15th. The canal was not completely filled, so each section's water had to be moved with the locks for the boat to pass. The boat had to be equipped with iron guards to break the formed ice. When it reached Lock 28, it had to push the lock open. When the boat reached the last 5 miles (8.0 km) of her journey, there was still a problem with the amount of water. There was too much water, and it could not pass under
2211-463: The Rock Island Bridge. As a result, the first people the sailors found were asked to come aboard to make the ship sink slightly (Yeater 6). Guests at the opening ceremony included Governor Charles S. Deneen , former Minnesota Governor Samuel R. Van Sant , who was born at Rock Island, and Congressman Frank Orren Lowden . Miss Grace Wheeler, the daughter of the chief engineer, opened the gates for
2278-543: The afternoon by a parade of boats from Rock Falls, Sterling, and Dixon (Hennepin Canal Feeder). When the canal was finished on October 21, 1907, the Corps of Engineers could not wait until spring for the first boat to pass down the canal. The first steamer to use the canal was the SS Marion , carrying government officials. This was the first boat to travel the entire length of the canal. The boat left on November 8 and returned on
2345-404: The average family size was 2.85. The village's age distribution consisted of 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. The median income for a household in the village
2412-417: The canal did give farmers relief from railroad prices (Builder Tells Early Days of Canal). In 1948, there was no reported traffic (Bastian 142). From the frustration came anger. This anger was, as many people would say, coming from the bad deterioration that the canal was suffering. It would cost $ 12,000,000 to make the canal bigger and deeper and make the locks larger (Yeater 12). Consequently, on April 7, 1948,
2479-492: The canal for recreation use. On August 1, 1970, full ownership was given to the state of Illinois to use the waterway as a place for recreations under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation. Bud Stigall stated that in 1970, it would cost 22 million dollars to get the canal in shape. The Hennepin was the first American canal built of concrete without stone cut facings. Although the Hennepin enjoyed only limited success as
2546-420: The canal itself, though because the canal was originally built for commercial use, several nonoperational but still-present locks must be portaged by watercraft users traversing certain sections of the Hennepin. Fishing is allowed on the canal, and the canal is considered to be an excellent place to fish. Fish species in the canal include bass , bluegill , and catfish , as well as trout . Swimming, however,
2613-634: The canal served as both a waterway and a place for recreation. Today, canal is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and continues to be used for recreational purposes. The canal's hiking and biking path, including the feeder path to the Rock River, extends the trail to 155 miles. While the trail is typically only open to hikers and bikers, certain portions of the trail are open to horseback riding and snowmobiling seasonally. Non-motorized boating, kayaking and canoeing are also open on
2680-521: The cost of $ 12,500,000 (equivalent to $ 301,184,211 in 2023). The United States Senate appointed a committee to study the value of Low's proposal. In 1881, four hundred representatives of commercial, city, and farmers associations from seven states met in Davenport, Iowa , to start a similar group called the Hennepin Canal Commission. It was created to negotiate with Chicago groups to stress
2747-479: The decision was made to build at Rock Falls (Hennepin Canal Feeder). The Hennepin Canal construction project began on September 19, 1890. When construction started, the estimated cost of the project was $ 6,925,900 ($ 253,654,162)(Yeater 5). Now that the planning had been approved, construction must be started; however, unlike many American canals, the Hennepin Canal was constructed after railroads came into being. Consequently, eight bridges had to be built. In addition to
Lemont - Misplaced Pages Continue
2814-727: The distance from the Illinois River to the Mississippi by 419 miles (674 km). Interest in the canal increased during the Civil War , when relations between the Union and the British were deteriorating to the point where war was possible. If this happened, the St. Lawrence River and Welland Canal would be closed to U.S. ships, and people from the Great Lakes area could not compete in eastern markets. Because war did not occur, many of those who initially supported
2881-513: The federal government began responding to the pressure from Illinois; however, the first federal survey was not made until two years later, in 1870. The survey was conducted under the authority of Colonel Wilson of the United States Corps of Engineers and done by Graham P. Low, Civil Engineer and surveyor. Low's plan was for the canal to be 160 feet (49 m) wide and 7 feet (2.1 m) in depth, with 320-by-70-foot (98 by 21 m) locks at
2948-478: The feeder was used to build the dam (Bastian 138). To enclose the construction site, the coffer dam was built (The Hennepin Canal). Twenty-five locks were assembled and riveted. When the dam was finished, it was 1,335 feet (407 m) long (Bastian 140). The dam made the water rise 11 feet 6 inches (3.51 m) above normal level. This led to the covering of 1,936 acres (783 ha) of land. Water backed up all
3015-472: The first time (Hennepin Canal Feeder). The early years were difficult because 1930 marked the beginning of the Great Depression . The Depression affected local businessmen and residents. In that year, overall tonnage on the canal decreased by 40 percent, and only 18,142 tons were transported (Yeater 9). A telephone system was built by the Corps of Engineers so that a lockman could be advised in advance when
3082-476: The guard lock, which was constructed to protect the canal from high river water. All thirty-three locks were manually operated (Yeater 5). On December 6, 1906, the Sterling Hydraulic Company agreed on the original plan to construct the dam at the foot of Tenth Avenue, Rock Falls (Hennepin Canal Feeder). By 1907, the dam was the only major project left on the canal. The stone excavated from Mile One of
3149-465: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lemont&oldid=1209982393 " Category : Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Lemont, Illinois Lemont is a village located in Cook , DuPage , and Will counties in
3216-497: The locks, servicing phone systems, etc. The lockmen and patrolmen were provided houses, barns, warehouses, sheds, and workshops. All of the houses had concrete walks and many other concrete things. The houses were never wired with electricity and did not have indoor plumbing. Every lockman and patrolman had a house but one. He did, however, have a houseboat . Although the canal was not as successful as planned, some good came from it. In 1920, Ray Mechling and Fred Wolf of Rock Falls began
3283-424: The many communities that sprang up along it. In digging, workers discovered Lemont yellow dolomite , a harder and finer grained version of limestone . This delayed digging of the canal, but was the start of the area's second industry, quarrying . By the mid-19th century, limestone quarrying took over as the main economic factor in Lemont and sustained its growth. The town's important major buildings were faced with
3350-425: The national importance of the canal. The committee concluded that a canal would regulate railroad freight rates (Yeater 3). Another survey had been made in 1882–83. The surveyor , Major W. H. H. Benyard of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, recommended one of the three proposed routes be selected. The route names were as follows: The Marais d’Osier, Watertown, and Rock Island (Yeater 3). The eastern half of all three routes
3417-418: The outbreak. According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Lemont has a total area of 8.74 square miles (22.64 km ), of which 8.37 square miles (21.68 km ) (or 95.71%) is land and 0.38 square miles (0.98 km ) (or 4.29%) is water. The village has 10 exclaves. As of the 2020 census there were 17,629 people, 5,911 households, and 4,606 families residing in the village. The population density
SECTION 50
#17328515921923484-411: The population. There were 5,911 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.64% were married couples living together, 7.58% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.08% were non-families. 18.74% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.06% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27 and
3551-405: The project soon lost interest (Yeater 2). The state of Illinois would not allow the canal to be constructed out of its funds; therefore, during the remainder of the 1860s, several legislatures, most notably those from Iowa , Illinois, and New York , endeavored to establish the canal with government backing. Ulysses S. Grant , a resident of Illinois, was elected president in 1868. Because of this,
3618-527: The railroad bridges, sixty-seven highway bridges had to be constructed too, thus creating delays (Bastian 138). The commanding engineer asked the Secretary of War to use concrete for the locks. This request was unusual because all locks in that time period were made from cut stone. On May 11, 1891, regardless of what locks were made of in the past, the Secretary of War granted permission to use concrete. Because concrete cost fifty percent less than cut stone masonry,
3685-417: The sea level, thus requiring 21 locks to regulate the water. There were 32 locks on the mainline (Yeater 5). All locks measure 170 by 35 feet (52 by 11 m) and were capable of passing barges 140 feet (42.7 m) long. The average barge was twice that size and drew too much water for the six-foot-deep canal (“Builder Tells Early Days of Hennepin Canal” 2). On the feeder canal, there was only one lock, called
3752-441: The waterway that connected Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. Today, it is a 100-mile-long (160 km) cultural park between Chicago and LaSalle/ Peru , representing an ongoing partnership between the public and private sectors created to achieve a successful mixture of preservation, public use and industrial activity. Sacred architecture is a strong suit of Lemont, whose skyline is dominated by two landmark religious edifices:
3819-452: The way to Dixon. Many small islands remain submerged. After the completion of the canal in 1907, the feeder canal runs almost due south for 29.3 miles (47.2 km). The main canal runs 75 miles (121 km) in total (Hennepin Canal Feeder). One of the greatest crowds ever to gather in Rock Falls happened on October 24, 1907. A two and a half mile street parade in the morning was followed in
3886-522: The wider, deeper Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was built parallel to it. The Sanitary Canal is still used today as part of the Illinois Waterway system. Lemont's motto is "Village of Faith", and its church spires reflect the many ethnic groups who came here to quarry stone, dig the Sanitary and Ship Canal and work in other industries. Lemont is credited with being the largest recruiting station for
3953-631: Was $ 114,509, and the median income for a family was $ 133,456. Males had a median income of $ 75,542 versus $ 43,283 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 45,675. About 4.4% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over. In 2006, the Lemont Little League All-Star team traveled to the 60th Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania . The team, which represented
4020-408: Was 2,017.05 inhabitants per square mile (778.79/km ). There were 6,773 housing units at an average density of 774.94 per square mile (299.21/km ). The racial makeup of the village was 89.29% White , 0.91% African American , 0.11% Native American , 2.45% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 1.38% from other races , and 5.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.12% of
4087-556: Was certain; the feeder would tap the water at the Rock River . The river's water would then flow into the main canal. But where should the feeder be constructed (Yeater 4)? The initial suggestion was to place the feeder in Dixon, Illinois , approximately 13 miles (21 km) to the northeast. The citizens of Rock Falls and neighboring Sterling were informed that the War Department would make
SECTION 60
#17328515921924154-448: Was estimated at $ 500,000 (equivalent to $ 2,680,000 in 2023 ). Many people reported watching neighbors' homes explode, implode, shattering before their eyes. Cited as an unusual tornado, it backed up on its path before heading North, somewhat parallel to its path of origin. See Tornadoes of 1976 for more information on the outbreak. On March 27, 1991, Lemont was again hit by a tornado. See Tornadoes of 1991 for more information on
4221-437: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Both Lemont's history and architectural uniqueness connect to the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I&M Canal). Construction of the I&M Canal began in 1837 and stands as one of the last major canal undertakings in the United States (the Hennepin Canal opened in 1907). When it was completed in 1848, it provided a continuous waterway stretching from New York (through
4288-431: Was more convincing to construct at that location (Bastian 138). Although a survey had been made, from 1886 to 1889 Congress had considered plans but no construction had been started; however, in the year 1890, Congress provided $ 500,000 ($ 16,955,556) to start the first five miles (Bastian 3). Although the canal planning was complete, there were still problems. The planning of the feeder canal still remained. Only one thing
4355-532: Was played at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club , which was founded in 1927. The Ruffled Feathers Golf Club is located in Lemont. In 2008, the girls' 11-year-old Lemont Little League All-Star team traveled to Beardstown, Illinois , for the state tournament and won the state title. In 2009, a new group of 11-year-old All-Stars from Lemont won the State Championship for a second consecutive year. The Lemont High School varsity cheerleading team placed first at
4422-506: Was the same; the canal would begin at the Illinois River about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) above Hennepin. The significant difference among the three lies at the western half, where the canal would end. In 1886, the United States Congress appointed a Board of Engineers to scrutinize the routes and investigate the effects the canal would have on national commerce. The board reported that benefits would exceed costs, and they suggested that
4489-587: Was too small and only fit for the early days of canaling. One local man stated, “It was a source of frustration and ultimately a failure”. Many have said if the canal had been constructed in the 1830s, 1840s, 1850s or even the 1860s, as it was originally suggested, the canal would have had greater economic potential. The canal was intended to connect the Upper Mississippi River Valley with the Atlantic Ocean ; however, it did not (Yeater 12). However,
#191808