Early Illinois TransportationEarly 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 RoadCumberland Gap & Wilderness Road

National RoadNational Road

National Road Cont.National Road Cont.

• The path of the road brought it to Vandalia, our state capital from 1819 until 1839.

• 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.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.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.National Road Cont.

• What were some positives and negatives to this method of travel to Illinois?

Traveling with the StagecoachTraveling with the Stagecoach

• The roads were crowded with all types of Prairie Wagons.

• Farm families brought their animals with them.

• POTHOLES

• Family bonding times

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enceV930ATQ&feature=related

River TravelRiver Travel

• Could be more hazardous then Could be more hazardous then traveling by landtraveling by land

• 3 Choices of travel3 Choices of travel– SteamboatSteamboat– KeelboatKeelboat– RaftRaft

RaftingRafting

Rafting FactsRafting Facts

• Cheapest Method of TravelCheapest Method of Travel

• Rafts were made by logs tied Rafts were made by logs tied togethertogether

• Built Shack on board with a Built Shack on board with a clotheslineclothesline

KeelboatsKeelboats

Keelboat FactsKeelboat Facts

• Jammed into a small spaceJammed into a small space

• Rode with numerous peopleRode with numerous people

• Traveled with all of the animalsTraveled with all of the animals

SteamboatSteamboat

Steamboat FactsSteamboat Facts

• Very expensiveVery expensive

• Hit a lot of Sandbars and SnagsHit a lot of Sandbars and Snags

• Risk of Boiler explosionsRisk of Boiler explosions

• Dealing with GamblersDealing with Gamblers

Illinois’ need for a CanalIllinois’ need for a Canal

• 1673 = Louis Joliet proposed that a canal 1673 = Louis Joliet proposed that a canal be built to connect the Chicago River to be built to connect the Chicago River to Lake MichiganLake Michigan

• American Revolutionary War = Washington American Revolutionary War = Washington wanted a better trade from New York to wanted a better trade from New York to New OrleansNew Orleans

• War of 1812 = Help in national defenseWar of 1812 = Help in national defense

Illinois-Michigan canalIllinois-Michigan canal

Illinois-Michigan CanalIllinois-Michigan Canal

Illinois-Michigan CanalIllinois-Michigan Canal

• 1816 = Signed a treaty with the Indians to get 1816 = Signed a treaty with the Indians to get land to buildland to build

• 1822 = US offered land for the canal connecting 1822 = US offered land for the canal connecting the Chicago River to the Illinois River and 90 feet the Chicago River to the Illinois River and 90 feet of land on both sides to sell for a cost of $713,000of land on both sides to sell for a cost of $713,000

•Must be surveyed in 3 yearsMust be surveyed in 3 years

•Must be built in 12 yearsMust be built in 12 years– Illinois lost the deal because they couldn’t raise Illinois lost the deal because they couldn’t raise

the moneythe money