Wanted: Illinois & Michigan Canal Workers
Information for Aqueduct
Builders
Fox River Aqueduct. The aqueduct crossing the Fox River was constructed about 1840-42 by the "David Sanger & Sons" construction company of Ottawa. Sanger, originally from Massachusetts, came to Lockport, Illinois, in 1836, and then to Ottawa in 1838. (He was awarded the contract to build the aqueduct on June 5, 1838.) Although construction may have commenced in 1839, by the end of 1840 the aqueducts piers and abutments were only partially completed, and its wooden superstructure not yet begun. Since little work was done on any part of the canal in 1843, there was no mention of the aqueduct in 1844, it is assumed it was completed in 1841 or 42.
It was the longest aqueduct of the canal: 464 feet in total length (about 385 feet over open water), bridging the river in eight spans of about 50 feet each, supported by seven piers constructed of Joliet limestone. Both its piers and abutments were built on solid rock, with its west abutment against the rock face forming that side of the river. The river’s depth at the construction site was only two or three feet deep. (The superstructure of the aqueduct, originally of wood, was rebuilt in 1901, and later replaced with an iron trough.)
(Vierling 1986, 265)
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