Chicago Portage National Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chicago Portage National Historic Site |
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 Chicago Portage National Historic Site
Location in Illinois
Chicago Portage National Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4800 S. Harlem Ave., Lyons, Cook County, Illinois, USA |
| Established | 1952 |
| Governing body | Forest Preserve District of Cook County |
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Chicago Portage National Historic Site
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| Location | 4800 S. Harlem Ave., Lyons, Illinois |
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| Area | 91.2 acres (36.9 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000108 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
The Chicago Portage National Historic Site is a special place in Lyons, Illinois, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It's part of the Chicago Portage Forest Preserve and Ottawa Trail Woods Forest Preserve. This site protects a very important historical path. This path, called a "portage," connected the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River. This link was super important because it joined the Great Lakes to the mighty Mississippi River! At the site, you can see a memorial. It shows French explorers carrying their canoes. A trail also leads into the historic wilderness area.
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A Historic Waterway Connection
This site celebrates the famous Chicago Portage. French explorers Father Marquette and Louis Joliet first wrote about it. They used this portage while exploring the area. They traveled between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River.
What is a Portage?
A portage is a path where people carry boats or canoes. They do this to move between two different waterways. The Chicago Portage was a natural path. It was used for thousands of years by Native Americans. Later, French explorers and traders also used it.
The Importance of Mud Lake
The portage crossed an area known as Mud Lake. This lake could be wet, swampy, frozen, or even dry. It depended on the season. Mud Lake stretched from the western end of the South Branch of the Chicago River. It went all the way to the Des Plaines River. Today, Mud Lake is completely gone.
Explorers like Marquette and Joliet quickly understood its value. This portage was the easiest way to cross the continental divide. This divide separates rivers that flow to the Gulf of Mexico from those flowing to the Atlantic Ocean. It was a key link for travel and trade.
Visiting the Site Today
The Chicago Portage National Historic Site was created on January 3, 1952. It is an "affiliated area" of the National Park Service. However, it is owned and managed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
You can visit the site by taking Harlem Avenue. It's just north of Interstate 55. At the site, you'll find a parking area. There is also a memorial statue and signs that explain the history. You can enjoy hiking on the trails. Canoeing is another popular activity here. The Friends of the Chicago Portage group often offers guided walks.
