Illinois and Michigan Canal

Historical marker location:

1221 Columbus St, Ottawa, Illinois

( Marker is on Columbus Street (Illinois Route 23) near East Canal Avenue, on the left when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1956

Illinois was part of the French colonial empire, and the city of Cahokia, located near present-day Collinsville, was one of the largest pre-Columbian cities in North America. At its peak, around 1250 CE, Cahokia had a population of around 20,000 people.