Every town has its own unique history. Lockport, with its storied past, has chosen to embrace its history in a big way. One prime example is Old Canal Days. While this large event has become a staple in the community, the first Old Canal Days in 1972 was pretty modest. At this time, the I&M Canal had fallen into disrepair, and there were many in the community that realized the canal was too important to not be celebrated. Out of this desire to embrace Lockport’s history, Old Canal Days was born, as the creators established it as a way to celebrate the Canal’s economic and cultural link for Lockport. The first Old Canal Days, much like it does now, focused on history, with historical exhibits set up along State Street. Since then, the event has grown tenfold, and spans 4 days. However, the focus is still very much on local history.
Lincoln Landing, much like Old Canal Days, was created to celebrate the I&M Canal and Lockport. The land in which Lincoln Landing is built has always been significant to Lockport, serving as the Public Landing, where grain and other agricultural goods were loaded onto canal boats and shipped along the I&M Canal. Merchandise also came through this port from eastern cities to be sold throughout Will County. The Gaylord Building, which stands at the north end of the Landing, and the Norton Building at the south end, both served as granaries during this period. Although the economic uses of the I&M Canal and the Public Landing would diminish in the 1890s, the land would serve Lockport again, but in an educational way, eventually becoming the site of the Will County Historical Society’s Heritage Village, as well as the location of Old Canal Day’s. Then, In February 2007, a plan was created to transform the Public Landing into a site that celebrated the I&M Canal’s significance to Lockport. Construction of Lincoln Landing began in June 2008 and was completed in December 2008. The park was dedicated on February 12th, 2009, the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln Landing, like Old Canal Days, reminds us of Lockport’s incredible history.
Examples like these help spur interest in local history, and Lockport has been putting their historical buildings to good use. This includes the building that once served as the old stagecoach depot on State Street being repurposed as a new restaurant, called Stagecoach. There are rumors that Lincoln himself actually spoke at this building when passing through. History is all around you, if you just know where to look for it.