| Hennepin Canal
- Illinois, particularly Chicago, needed an economical means of
transporting large quantities of goods between the Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers. Eventually a canal was created (dug and dredged) and
opened for business in 1907. This, the Hennepin Canal, wound up being
"a dollar short and a day late' because by the time it was ready -
after nearly 80 years of talking about it, the railroads were fully
entrenched and were carrying goods for less than the costs by barge.
Plus the canal wasn't big enough to accommodate the newer, larger barges
being used by then on the Mississippi. Bad news for some, good news for
us. This is a prime recreation resource. Now folks come here to glide in
up and down the canal in canoes and kayaks, etc., in safe, secure
waters. |
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park has been created on the north
bank of the Hennepin Canal just north of Sheffield to accommodate a wide
range of recreational activities - from biking and boating to winter
sports; yes, it is a four-season facility. If you want a quiet,
beautiful spot to stop, take a breather and eat a picnic lunch, take
exit 45 of I-80. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp and turn left into
the first road north of the westbound ramps. Turn left at the first
crossroad (2 miles) and the park (well marked) will be on your left.
Official address is 16006 875 E. Street (Sheffield); phone
1-815-454-2328. The State has set up an interesting web site about the
canal at Hennepin
Canal. |
