I&M Canal Passage; La Salle County
Roads of the Mid-South & West > Highways of the State of Illinois > Illinois & Michigan Canal Passage > Illinois & Michigan Canal Passage; La Salle County
The I&M Canal Passage runs along both side of the canal in La Salle County. This is the western most county that the passage and canal corridor passes through. It enters La Salle County from Grundy County on Old Stage Road, which turns in to Union Street at the Seneca City Limits. The passage followa Union Street to Illinois State Route 170-Main Street. At IL St Rt 170/Main Street, it head north.
NB IL St Rt 170-Main Street in Seneca.
In Donwtown Seneca, along IL St Rt 170-Main Street, the canal passage crosses back over the canal. At this crossing is a parking and picnic area. This is one of the tow-path bike trail access points. Near this access point is the M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator Visitors Center. It is the only remaining elevator along the canal that was operational during the canal's early days.
A sign along the road.
Looking west along the canal at IL St Rt 170-Main Street. The M.J. Hogan Grain Elevator.
A marker on IL St Rt 170-Main Street for the canal corridor.
When IL St Rt 170 reaches the northside of Seneca, the trail turns west along U.S. Rt. 6. It follows U.S. Rt. 6 to Marseilles. At Downtown Marseilles it turns south along Main Street. Between the I&M Canal and rat Creek the passage trail turns west along Commercial Street. At the Marseilles City Limits this turns into La Salle County Highway 51/2553rd Road. Near Ottawa, the passage trail stays with LSCH 51 as it runs north on 2871st Road. It stayes on this road long enough to cross the canal and the CSX railroad. On Ottawa's eastside the passage trail turns west on to U.S. Rt. 6/IL St Rt 71 (Norris Drive). It follows U.S. Rt. 6?IL St Rt 71 to near Downtown Ottawa. Here IL St Rt 71 turns south with IL St Rt 23 on Columbus Street, and so does the passage trail. IL St Rt 23/71 in Downtown Ottawa run on a set of one way streets. NB is on Columbus Street. SB is on La Salle Street. The passage trail runs through Downtown Ottawa to Main Street and heads west. About a half mile west of Downtown Ottawa, the canal trail heads south on Leland Street. This takes Leland for about four blocks to Ottawa Ave and heads west. Ottawa Ave is filled with many older homes. Outside Ottawa, Ottawa Ave. turns into N27th Road/La Salle County Highway 34. This passes through the small town on Naplate. West of Naplate, is Lock #12 and Buffalo Rock State Park. This is also a access point to the bike trail.
The access sign at the bike trail lot.
Looking east along the tow path.
Heading on west from Buffalo Rock along La Salle County Highway 34/North 27th Road, the canal trail passes near the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at the Strved Rock Lock and Dam on the Illinois River. Just path here the trail path turns north on Illinois State Route 178. If you turns south at this corner you will reach Strved Rock State Park and Lodge and Matthiessen State Park.
In Uttica the canal trail and Illinois State Route 178 run along Mill Street. In Downtown Uttica there are several shops and resturants. At Downtown Uttica the canal trail and Illinois State Route 178 take a brief jog on Church Street to Division where it heads north out of the valley. North of Uttica, the canal trai heads west on U.S. Rt. 6 into La Salle. In La Salle U.S. Rt. 6 runs on Fifth Street. At Illinois State Route 351, the canal trail, along with U.S. Rt. 6 turns south on Joliet Street for a few blocks. This brings us to the northeast corner of Downtown La Salle. Here the trail jogs again along U.S. Rt. 6/West 3rd Street one block to head south on Marquette Street. Marquette Street head south to Canal Street and head back east to Illinois State Route 351. This is the end of the trail. Heading north on IL St Rt 351 takes you back northeast along the canal. South on IL St Rt 351 takes you to Lock # 15 and the Little Vermillion River Aqueduct.
5 January 2011