Overview

Introduction--The I & M Canal, the Connecting Link Between the Great Lakes Watershed and the Mississippi River Watershed

• Lesson--"Mysterious Land"

Exploration of Isle a la Cache--the importance of the fur trade to the exploration of North America
A visit from , a French voyageur!

Transition

• Lesson--"Canals and Rivers: What’s the Difference?"

Engineering--Slide presentation on the canal locks, aqueducts, feeders, bypass channels, canal boats
Lesson--The Locking Process

• Lesson "Wanted: Canal Workers"

Exploration of Aux Sable-Philip Vierling

Background of the Early Pioneers of the Canal Era

• Lesson--"Growth of Cities along the I & M Canal Corridor"
• Lesson--Reading the Landscape of Lockport--Change Name(Char)

Background on Illinois & Michigan Canal Era Architecture: Slide presentation on canal era architecture

• Introduction to the Sanborn Maps--Field experience exploring Ottawa, one of the earliest canal towns

Background on the Reversal of the Chicago River

Background on the Illinois Waterway--Yesterday and Today, from the past to the present in water transportation

• Lesson--"Today, GREAT Lakes MAP Exploration"

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