P-065: Mississippi and Illinois River Canal (Hennepin Canal) Construction Photographs

DATE: September 1892 – February 1893

SCOPE: This album of cyanotype prints documents the early construction of the Mississippi and Illinois River Canal, also known as the Hennepin Canal. Each image comes with explanatory captions on the back side.The images document the first months of construction on the Mississippi and Illinois River Canal, commonly known as the Hennepin Canal. The construction pictured is near the Mississippi and Rock rivers while working on Lock 36 and Lock 37.

The prints cover much of the construction involved in building canals in the 19th century, and include portrayals of excavation and dredge work, extension and widening of rivers work on Carr Island (in the western portion of the Rock River), use of dynamite in lock building, pile driving, construction on concrete abutments, and other equipment and processes involved. Also included are images of the camps of workers and engineers.

Most of the images show actual construction, including the extension and widening of rivers, massive excavation and dredge work, work around Carr Island in the far western portion of the Rock River, the construction of embankments, and the use of dynamite to begin the lock building process. Other photographs show piling and pile driving, the camps of the workers, and completed cuts. The captions each note the month in which photographs are taken, and often name in the engineer in charge of the work and contractor.

EXTENT: Thirty-one cyanotype prints, brad-bound with metal round head fasteners on left hand side. Handwriting on verso of each image.

HISTORY: The Mississippi and Illinois River Canal, also known as the Hennepin Canal, was planned to connect the Mississippi River near Rock Island and the Illinois River near Hennepin. This canal would create a faster route from Chicago to the Mississippi River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led the project after nearly sixty years of discussion. In 1892, construction began, and continued straight through until the canal’s opening in 1907. The Hennepin Canal became the first American Canal to be built of concrete without stone cut facings. Engineering innovations first used in the creation of this canal have been directly linked to the advancements in canal construction that later allowed the Panama Canal to be built in the early 20th century.

ACCESS: This is collection P-65. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. 

This collection is available for viewing on the UMSL Digital Library.

Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the collections of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library at the University of Missouri - St. Louis.” 

 

PHOTOGRAPH INVENTORY

  1. I. & M. Canal. Extending north river Erub. by means of cars run out on floating barge Erub. in Rock River. December 1892.

  2. I. & M. Canal. Construction of concrete abutments for dams. Putting up form for middle section of abutment on north shore Carr’s Island. September 1892.

  3. I. & M. Canal. Construction of embankment on Carr’s Island. U.S. Govt work. J. W. Woermann – Engr. in charge. September 1892.

  4. I. & M. Canal. View of a blast in the pit at the Guard Lock. November 1892.

  5. I. & M. Canal. View showing the piling nearly done, some of the piles sawed off to grade. John Killeur – Contractor A. O. Rowse – Engr. in charge. Taken February 1893.

  6. Excavation in Lock #36 nearly done and pile-driving (with horses) begun. John Killeur – contractor. A. O. Rowse – Engr. in charge Taken Now. 1892.

  7. I. & M. Canal. View of silt – for Lock #36 just after stripping of soil. John Killeur – Contractor A. O. Rowse – Engr. in charge Taken in Oct. 1892.

  8. I. & M. Canal. Completed abutment. South shore Carr’s Island. October 1892. 

  9. I. & M. Canal. Keaur’s Camp. 1st mile section. F.S.H. – Engr. in charge. October 1892 

  10. I. & M. Canal. View of Erub. and abutment on south shore Carr’s Island. December 1892.

  11. I. & M. Canal. View of the back of abutment south shore Carr’s Island. October 1892. 

  12. I. & M. Canal. Construction of concrete abuts. for dams. Filling last form of abutment north shore Rock River September 1892.

  13. I. & M. Canal. Excavating and driving piles at Lock #37, outlet lock into the Miss. River. A. J. Whitney – Contractor F.S.H. – Engr. in charge Taken Feb. 1893. 

  14. I. & M. Canal – 2nd mile section View of a section of finished work looking east from cross-bank Grade of bottom 118.0 left-bank 134.0 right bank 131.5, banks are 8ft on top slopes 1 ½ to 1, bottom of canal 59.0 ft. Water-line 80ft. Depth of water is to be 7 feet. A.C. Glass – sub-contractor of this section F.S.H. – Engineer in charge. Taken Dec. 1892.

  15. I. & M. Canal – 1st mile section View looking east from Lock #37. Canal prism partly finished. J.H. Flick – sub-contractor F.S.H. – Engr. in charge Taken in Dec. 1892.

  16. I. & M. Canal – 1st mile section View of finished work looking west from cross-bank. Mr. Keane – sub-contractor F.S.H. – Engr. in charge Taken Dec. 1892.

  17. I. & M. Canal Construction of concrete abutments for dams. Forms ready to fill. South shore Carr’s Island. September, 1892.

  18. I. & M. Canal – 5th mile Commencement of the North River Erub. U.S. Govt. work. JW. Woermann – Engr. in charge October 1892.

  19. I. & M. Canal Sear’s Camp at Guard Lock. October 1892.

  20. I. & M. Canal – 1st mile section Excavating in canal prism at beginning of 2nd mile. Mr. Keane – sub-contractor F.S.H. – Engr. in charge Taken Oct. 1892.

  21. I. & M. Canal Exc. At Lock #37 Steamer A.J. Whiney in distance Taken Nov. 1892 by J.W. Woermann F.S.H. – Engr. in charge.

  22. I. & M. Canal Construction of abutments for dams. Filling the forms of the abut. on south side Carr’s Island. September 1892.

  23. I. & M. Canal – 3rd mile section View of Shapland’s Camp. A. O. Rowse – Engr. in charge Taken Dec. 1892.

  24. I. & M. Canal View of traps for loading wagons with wheel scrapers. Construction River Erubs. U.S. Govt work. October 1892.

  25. Loading cars with wheel scrapers. 4th & 5th mile, October 7 1893.

  26. I. & M. Canal Rock excavation at the Guard Lock (head of rapids) U.S. Govt work David Sears – contractor J.W. Woermann – Engr. in charge October 1892.

  27. I. & M. Canal Exc. At Lock #37 View of pit just after dredge went out and coffer-dam was put in. Pump-house at end of pit. Steamer A.J. Whitney in Rock River to right. Taken Oct. 1892 by J.W.W. F.S.H. – Engr. in charge.

  28. I. & M. Canal – 2nd mile section Constructing the large Erub. on North side of Silver Lake. J. S. Leyuch – contractor F.S. H. Engr. in charge Taken Nov. 1892.

  29. I. & M. Canal – 4th mile Constructing crib to protect the Erub. from floods from Mill Creek. Rock River at left of picture. November 1892.

  30. I. & M. Canal U.S. Govt camps on Carr’s Island. Quarters for men during construction of abutments and embankments. September 1892.

  31. Illinois & Mississippi Canal. Commencement of work on her. Flick’s section. Middle of 1st mile looking east. F.S. Hunter – Engr. in charge Taken in Oct. 1892.