Can anyone answer any of these questions....? I'm not very associated with the Chicago area..
- What site is near or at the Chicago River today?
- How is the area from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River important today? What was the problem with the area in the 1830s and how was this overcome?
- When canals were first built (1850s), the Illinois and Mihcigan Canal carried wheat, sugar, and lumber to Chicago. Where did each of these products come from?
Your first question is hard to answer because the Chicago River is about 150 miles long. Obviously one answer is that the city of Chicago is at the Chicago River.
A channel connects the river with Lake Michigan today.
The Illinois-Michigan Canal connects with the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers -- and then with the tributaries, such as the Missouri River. The wheat, grain, and sugar came from any place that this rivers were navigable.
Check these sites for more information.
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/263.html
(Broken Link Removed)
http://www.canalcor.org/
Yes, I can help you with these questions. Let's break them down one by one:
1. What site is near or at the Chicago River today?
To find out about a specific site near or at the Chicago River, you can use online mapping services like Google Maps or Apple Maps. You can search for the Chicago River and explore the surrounding areas to identify nearby sites or landmarks.
2. How is the area from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River important today? What was the problem with the area in the 1830s and how was this overcome?
The area from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River is important today as it forms the central business district of Chicago. It is home to numerous commercial, cultural, and tourist attractions, including major office buildings, shopping areas, museums, and parks.
In the 1830s, the area faced a significant problem known as the "Chicago River Reversal." Initially, the Chicago River flowed into Lake Michigan, which caused pollution and health concerns as the city's sewage would flow directly into the lake, the source of the city's drinking water. To overcome this problem, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was constructed in the early 1900s. The canal reversed the flow of the Chicago River, redirecting it away from Lake Michigan and into the Illinois River. This engineering feat helped improve the city's sanitation and contributed to cleaner drinking water.
3. When canals were first built (1850s), the Illinois and Michigan Canal carried wheat, sugar, and lumber to Chicago. Where did each of these products come from?
During the 1850s, the Illinois and Michigan Canal played a vital role in transporting various goods to Chicago. Here's the origin of each of the mentioned products:
- Wheat: Wheat was primarily transported to Chicago from the rural agricultural areas in the Midwest, such as Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. These regions were known for their fertile land and abundant wheat production.
- Sugar: The sugar transported to Chicago during that time was likely sourced from regions that cultivated sugarcane, such as Louisiana, Florida, and parts of the Caribbean. These areas were key producers of sugar due to their suitable climate and fertile soil.
- Lumber: The lumber would have been sourced from timber-rich areas in the Midwest and Great Lakes region. States like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were major producers of lumber during that era.
By utilizing the canal system, these products could be easily transported to Chicago, contributing to the city's growth and development as a commercial hub.