Editing Illinois and Michigan Canal (section)

===Completion===
The canal was eventually {{Convert|60|ft}} wide and {{Convert|6|ft}} deep, with [[towpath]]s constructed along each edge to permit mules to be harnessed to tow barges along the canal. Towns were planned out along the path of the canal spaced at intervals corresponding to the length that the mules could haul the barges. It had seventeen [[canal lock|locks]] and four [[Navigable aqueduct|aqueducts]] to cover the {{Convert|140|ft|adj=on}} height difference between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. From 1848 to 1852 the canal was a popular passenger route, but passenger service ended in 1853 with the opening of the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]] that ran parallel to the canal. The canal had its peak shipping year in 1882 and remained in use until 1933.

Experiencing a remarkable recovery from the devastating [[Great Chicago Fire]] of 1871, Chicago rebuilt rapidly along the shores of the Chicago River. The river was especially important to the development of the city since all wastes from houses, farms, the stockyards, and other industries could be dumped into the river and carried out into Lake Michigan.