Browse Items (217 total)

The first water from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal trickles over the crest of the Bear Trap Dam into the Des Plaines River.

An aerial view shows the Bear Trap Dam located at the base of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

Construction debris stands on the edge of the Bear Trap Dam.Photo caption: "1580-15 1-16-1900; Bear Trap Dam Elev. +5.0"

A man walks across the Bear Trap Dam as water flows through it.

Passengers stand on the deck of the Sanitary District's ship "Juliet," the first craft to navigate the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Bear Trap Dam is visible in the background.

An aerial view shows the Bear Trap Dam in operation. Photo caption: "1586-15 1-20-1900 Bear Trap Dam in operation. Depth of water at crest of Dam 2 ft."

A view taken from a bridge shows the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal nearly three months after it was filled with water.

A view taken from the banks shows the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal nearly three months after it was filled with water.

Mounds of excavated materials stand along the side of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal nearly three months after it was filled with water.

A view of the Lockport Road Bridge taken from a car's viewpoint highlights the bridge's 645 foot and three inch length.

A view of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont shows the waterway four months after it was filled with water.

The Santa Fe Railway Bridge at Lemont extends across the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

A person stands on the left bank of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in front of the Santa Fe Railway Bridge at Lemont.

Two unidentified men stand in an underground by-pass that looks north from Van Buren Street in downtown Chicago.

Building materials lie in the foreground of an image showing an underground bypass looking south.

Poem written by Isham Randolph, the engineer who oversaw the construction of the Sanitary and Ship Canal. The poem refers to United States Navy Admiral George Dewey's visit to Lockport after the canal opened. The poem reads: "Glad welcome gallant…

Five thousand people await the arrival of United States Navy Admiral George Dewey and his party at the Controlling Works at the base of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

Five thousand people stand on the banks awaiting the arrival of United States Navy Admiral George Dewey and his party at the Controlling Works at the base of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

Men stand on a structure watching as the flagship "Hinda," carrying United States Navy Admiral George Dewey, enters Windage Basin at the base of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

Spectators on the shore watch as United States Navy Admiral George Dewey's ship arrives at the base of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

United States Navy Admiral George Dewey and his party board a train at McCook for a trip over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

United States Navy Admiral George Dewey and his party walk down a flight of stairs to a waiting boat at McCook for a trip over Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

The flagship "Hinda," carrying United States Navy Admiral George Dewey, enters Windage Basin on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport.

United States Navy Admiral George Dewey and his party exit Windage Basin on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport. Photo caption: "1639-15 5-2-1900. Admiral Dewey and party leaving Lockport. Photo taken during thunder storm."

A view shows a full Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal five months after construction completed.