Population Explosion
"Chicago’s expansion was largely due to its importance as a major port city."
-Brief History of the Chicago River
-Brief History of the Chicago River
"The remarkable growth of Chicago during the twelve years of construction of the canal was far surpassed during the first six years of its operation."
-Dr. James William Putnam “During the first period of canal operation, from 1848 to 1854, the population of the city of Chicago advanced from 20,035 to 74,500."
-“The Illinois and Michigan Canal- National Canal Corridor” |
"Chicago's population grew 600% the first ten years the [The I&M] Canal was open."
-Illinois Adventure Video "After the canal opened, Germans, Italians, Poles, Swedes and many other immigrants were drawn to Chicago and the other canal towns....During
the 12 years it took to build the canal, the
city’s population grew from 4,000 to 20,000.
From 1848 – 1860, it quintupled again to
112,172."
-Canal Corridor Association |
Chicago grew and prospered into a large city on the shores of Lake Michigan with the help of the I&M Canal. However, this growth would have a cost.