Lockport Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lockport Historic District
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The Gaylord Building in the Lockport Historic District
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Area between 7th and 11th Streets and Canal and Washington Streets Lockport, Will County, Illinois, U.S. |
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| NRHP reference No. | 75000676 |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
The Lockport Historic District, also known as the Canal and Downtown Area, is a special collection of fifty-nine buildings in Lockport, Illinois. Fifty-six of these buildings are important because they help tell the history of the area. This district shows how important the Illinois and Michigan Canal was to the growth of Lockport.
Contents
A Look Back: History of Lockport's Downtown
The downtown area of Lockport was officially planned out in 1836. This was the same year that construction began on the important Illinois and Michigan Canal (I&M Canal). Just two years later, Lockport became the main office for the I&M Canal.
The Canal's Importance
Because the canal was so important for trade and travel, the downtown area was built right next to it. The district included key buildings like the Canal's barn, the Gaylord Store and Martin Elevator, and the Norton Warehouse and Store. It also had the main Canal Office and the Superintendent's Home.
Building with Local Stone
Most of the buildings in this area were built using limestone that was dug up nearby. Besides the buildings related to the canal, the downtown area was mostly used for shops and businesses. Joseph Wapler, who was the surveyor for the I&M Canal, designed the layout of the town.
Oldest Buildings and Changes
The oldest buildings still standing in the district today are the Canal Office, built in 1838, and the building at 1020 State Street. The Canal Office was later turned into the headquarters for the Will County Historical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, which means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
In 1895, a fire caused damage to the block between 10th and 11th streets, east of State Street. The entire Lockport Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1975.
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. IL-16, "Lockport Historic District"
- HAER No. IL-16-A, "Lockport Historic District, Illinois & Michigan Canal"
- HAER No. IL-16-B, "Lockport Historic District, Stone Arch Bridge"
- HAER No. IL-16-C, "Lockport Historic District, Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal, Butterfly Dam"
- HAER No. IL-16-D, "Lockport Historic District, Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal, Swing Bridge"
- HAER No. IL-16-E, "Lockport Historic District, Train Station"
- HAER No. IL-16-F, "Lockport Historic District, Funeral Parlor"
- HAER No. IL-16-G, "Lockport Historic District, Norton & Company Warehouse"
- HAER No. IL-16-H, "Lockport Historic District, Central High School"
- HAER No. IL-16-I, "Lockport Historic District, Hyland Building"
