Early Illinois Transportation National Road Cumberland Gap Wilderness Road Rafting on the Rivers The need for a Canal Canal History Illinois – Michigan Canal

Cumberland Gap & Wilderness Road

National Road

National Road Cont. The path of the road brought it to Vandalia, our state capital from 1819 until With the exception of the occasional crushed rock or timber-laden “corduroy” sections, the Illinois National Road was a dirt path dotted with tree stumps cut low enough that a wagon could easily navigate over them. Some parts on the road were 80 feet wide.

National Road cont. A heavy rain would transform the National Road to a muddy trail sometimes forcing travelers to find an alternative path. For instance, Altamont, Illinois historians believe there were three areas that were known as the National Road. Although federal funding was discontinued before the road was completed in Illinois

National Road Cont. The census showed a population of 157,445. Ten years later the numbers had soared to 476,183. State officials urged the federal government to continue road construction; however, the two sides differed on the route. Illinois wanted the National Road to go to the Mississippi River at Alton while the feds preferred a trail to St. Louis. The argument was never settled as funding was not restored.

National Road Cont. What were some positives and negatives to this method of travel to Illinois?

Traveling with the Stagecoach The roads were crowded with all types of Prairie Wagons. Farm families brought their animals with them. POTHOLES Family bonding times 30ATQ&feature=related

River Travel Could be more hazardous then traveling by land Could be more hazardous then traveling by land 3 Choices of travel 3 Choices of travel –Steamboat –Keelboat –Raft

Rafting

Rafting Facts Cheapest Method of Travel Cheapest Method of Travel Rafts were made by logs tied together Rafts were made by logs tied together Built Shack on board with a clothesline Built Shack on board with a clothesline

Keelboats

Keelboat Facts Jammed into a small space Jammed into a small space Rode with numerous people Rode with numerous people Traveled with all of the animals Traveled with all of the animals

Steamboat

Steamboat Facts Very expensive Very expensive Hit a lot of Sandbars and Snags Hit a lot of Sandbars and Snags Risk of Boiler explosions Risk of Boiler explosions Dealing with Gamblers Dealing with Gamblers

Illinois’ need for a Canal 1673 = Louis Joliet proposed that a canal be built to connect the Chicago River to Lake Michigan 1673 = Louis Joliet proposed that a canal be built to connect the Chicago River to Lake Michigan American Revolutionary War = Washington wanted a better trade from New York to New Orleans American Revolutionary War = Washington wanted a better trade from New York to New Orleans War of 1812 = Help in national defense War of 1812 = Help in national defense

Illinois-Michigan canal

Illinois-Michigan Canal

1816 = Signed a treaty with the Indians to get land to build 1816 = Signed a treaty with the Indians to get land to build 1822 = US offered land for the canal connecting the Chicago River to the Illinois River and 90 feet of land on both sides to sell for a cost of $713, = US offered land for the canal connecting the Chicago River to the Illinois River and 90 feet of land on both sides to sell for a cost of $713,000 Must be surveyed in 3 years Must be surveyed in 3 years Must be built in 12 years Must be built in 12 years –Illinois lost the deal because they couldn’t raise the money