Kankakee river history Joseph portage provided a strategic link in the Great Lakes-Mississippi route of early travelers—the French explorers, the traders, and the missionaries. The topography of the watershed is flat to moderately rolling, expressing the effects of extensive glaciations. Potawatomi Indians were early inhabitants of the area, and the city’s name comes from a variant pronunciation of their name for the river. Once you got to the Mississippi, you could travel north, south, or cross the river to explore the West. In our latest episode of the Kankakee Podcast, I sat down with historian Jack Klasey of the Kankakee County Museum to dig deep—pun […] K A N K A K E E H I S T O R Y . The Effects of Sedimentation on Aquatic Life of the Kankakee River, by Allison R. Harley Bradley House. If you have a favorite IL r Known as the "Everglades of the North," the Grand Kankakee Marsh was an expansive wetland covering a vast swath of northern Indiana. Excursion trains along the former Chesapeake & Ohio rail line travel through a portion of the former marsh as passengers are delighted by wildlife, trees, and wildflowers. Another 1,715 acres (694 ha) was donated by Commonwealth Edison in 1956, which again donated more land in 1989. The Kankakee River rises from the springs and swamplands of Northwest Indiana about three or four miles southwest of the southernmost bend of the St. ) (from the June 30, 1982, Lowell Tribune), page 19 The southern limit of Lake County is marked by the small but remarkable Kankakee River. Jul 23, 2020 · Major tributaries to the Kankakee River in Indiana include the Yellow River. By June 1978 it was clear — the myriad problems of the Kankakee basin could not be solved without more technical information. Brigham, Liane B. [4] Located on the Kankakee River, as of 2020, the city's population was 24,052. Jun 2, 2025 · Hello, Kankakee County and friends! This month, we’re taking a hike through time and nature as we uncover the story behind one of our county’s most beloved treasures: Kankakee River State Park. The village of Crumstown is considered the nearest settlement to the marshes that indicate the beginning of the river. The Kankakee River lies in the Northern Moraine and Lake physiographic region of Indiana where the surficial geology consists of stratified sand and gravel. Some went to St. LORENZO WERICH STRICKEN AS HE WRITES LAST CHAPTERS OF KANKAKEE RIVER HISTORY J. As a result, in ca. ] Collection illinoishistoryandlincoln; university_of_illinois_urbana-champaign; americana Contributor University of Illinois Urbana Overview: Lost ? bridge over Kankakee River on Illinois Central Railroad History: Built 1863; Replaced 1884 Built: 1863 Location: Kankakee County View Bridge Information In Wayback Machine Special Bridge Conditions Legend: R - Former location of relocated bridge. Historically, much of the Kankakee River in Indiana and Illinois meandered through an area called the Grand Marsh. ! - At risk for demolition or destruction. Kankakee (/ ˌkæŋkəˈkiː / KANG-kə-KEE) [3] is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. Places for the Mastodon, sabretooth tiger, giant Feb 21, 2019 · Here's where that web link shines!! Kankakee River/Marsh Stats Original fall approx 6" per mile Over 2000 bends, oxbows, and meanders, etc. Schmal The Kankakee River (cont. From the Kankakee River State Park to the French Heritage Museum, there's something for everyone. The Kankakee country represents essentially an intermorainal marsh reclaimed valley extending from South Bend, Indiana, southwestward to Momence, Illinois. This has been a business that both the Native Ame Pioneer History by Richard C. Originally, 35 acres (14 ha) of land was donated by Ethel Sturges Dummer for the creation of the state park in 1938. -Kankakee Valley Historical Society- The fate of the Kankakee was at stake, but very little was done to stop the drainage project from being shoved through. This marsh was home to an amazing diversity of plants, birds, fish and animals that The Kankakee River Valley's beautiful land and rich natural resources are a result of debris and minerals left by three massive glaciers that came down from Canada thousands of years ago, accounting for the beautiful area that tourists, relocators and community members now enjoy. Joseph River, where the City of South Bend is located. The Kankakee was first navigated by the French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1679, when he descended the St. The Kankakee & Iroquois Navigation Company - later known as the Kankakee Company - was chartered in 1847 to provide water power and a navigable waterway from the Illinois & Michigan Canal to Warner's Landing, along the site of the present-day Warner Bridge Road. Settlers John Ship and Joseph Stearns would briefly operate an unlicensed ferry across the Kankakee River at Potawatomi Ford, which was soon purchased by a Mr. The Kankakee River flowed into the Illinois River and then into the Mississippi. 25, 2003, Lowell Tribune, page 5) * the Kankakee River rises from springs and swamp lands near the village of Crumstown, a few miles southwest of South Bend, Indiana? * according to old reports in 1884, the Kankakee River was a slow, sluggish stream with a fall of one foot to one-and-a-half feet to the mile while curving through A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. From earliest times up until today fur trapping of the Kankakee Marsh has been an active pursuit. This has been a business that both the Native Ame Dec 10, 2023 · Kankakee River history - 12/10/2312:02 AM A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. Page, Illinois Natural History Survey, Sections of Aquatic Biol ogy and Faunistic and Insect Identification, December 1980, 16 pp. The three principal streams in the south part are West Creek, Cedar Creek, and Eagle Creek, after which the three southern townships were named. From the indigenous Potawatomi Indians who first called this area home to the industrious communities that sprung up in The river curves westward as it enters Kankakee County in northeastern Illinois. Outdoor lovers can hike, fish, or just relax by the river. You can learn about the first explorers and missionaries in the Kankakee River Valley at Oct 28, 2006 · As a compliment to a recent ISA newsletter article I wrote in the "Rivers of Time" series on the Kankakee River, I compiled some interesting photos and thought I'd share them here. com/news/local/lake/kankakee-river-carved-out-its-place-in-history/article_f569acc8-1f67-58d7-952f-b760d94cf853. It lies on the Kankakee River, about 60 miles (100 km) south of Chicago. Suloway, and Lawrence M. Sherwood, probably Jerry Sherwood, and renamed Sherwood's Ferry. Joseph River and forming a head-water branch of the Illinois River, the Kankakee with its St. Jan 13, 2020 · Kankakee River History… The Times of Northwest Indiana (2009) Home News https://www. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Kankakee Railroad Museum and the B. Kankakee County, a hidden gem in northeastern Illinois, is teeming with rich history and hidden stories waiting to be discovered. Forest Preserve District of Will County Nov 14, 2016 Walking or riding the Wauponsee Glacial Trailbridge over the Kankakee River is one thing, but flying over it offers a whole different perspective. nwitimes. 85 miles as the crow flies ~250 miles counting all the bends Marsh extent 400,000 acres (or more) 3-5 miles wide Unknown locations. For here was a rolling landscape with a beautiful river thickly bordered with The Kankakee River rises from the springs and swamplands of Northwest Indiana about three or four miles southwest of the southernmost bend of the St. X - Confirmed demolished or collapsed. History The passage of time is well documented in Kankakee County through its diverse architecture and rich history. This has been a business that both the Native Ame. Nov 15, 2016 · Public group 22K Members Join group RAILROAD HISTORY BUFFS OF ILLINOIS Bill MolonyNov 15, 2016 The ex-Wabash Railroad bridge over the Kankakee River. n. Oct 24, 2025 · Kankakee, city, seat (1853) of Kankakee county, northeastern Illinois, U. . The many fine museums include the Kankakee County Museum, home of the Kankakee County Historical Society, founded in 1906, it is the oldest incorporated local historical society in Illinois. -- Social life and customs Publisher [Indiana? : s. S. It encompasses approximately 3,000 square miles of river basin which includes at least thirteen northwestern Indiana Counties. The lowland lying along the north side of the river is a part of the original Grand Marsh. In your next issue, the series returns for an article on the Fox River through the ages. Aug 24, 2024 · Kankakee's Hidden Gems Await Kankakee offers a mix of history, nature, and fun. The islands of Smith In 1688 all those "Miami" who were in the Illinois River valley abandoned this location. html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share January 13, 2020 by Scott Pelath in Links This is a story of "places" along the Kankakee, "River of History;" places where ancient animals were discovered; where the mound builders buried their dead; where the Indians lived and hunted; where early French traders and explorers trod; where pioneers moved into the wilderness; and places for the early settler, the hunters and the fisherman. Approximately 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the city of Kankakee, it receives the Iroquois River from the south and turns sharply to the northwest for its lower 35 miles (56 km). One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 Phone: 217-782-6302 Contact Us DNR Offices Boards/Commissions Equal Opportunity FOIA Request for Public Records Dec 10, 2023 · A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. Rising within a few miles of the St. [5] Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Namely Gurdon Hubburd, Noel LeVasseur, Francious Bourbonnais, and Chabre, a group of fur traders. (Courtesy Kankakee Area Chamber of Commerce) The land around Kankakee, located in the heart of the Kankakee River Valley, was considered a beautiful and fine place to live by the Pottawatomi Indians long before the ever increasing westward migration of the white settlers replaced them. Eventually, the Kankakee Marsh was drained almost dry. At one time this marsh served as a huge sponge, soaking up and holding much of the surface water that drained in from the surrounding higher ground during the periods of excessive rain. Joseph River, portaged to the Kankakee, and entered the Illinois River valley. Apr 9, 2018 · French explorer LaSalle canoed down the Kankakee River in 1679 on his voyage of discovery to the Mississippi. Mar 25, 2003 · Did you know that. Mar 16, 2021 · THE KANKAKEE RIVER is the southern boundary line of Porter County. This has been a business that both the Native Ame Dec 10, 2023 · A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. Learn more about the region’s history, resources and recreation opportunities at Kankakee River State Park with a stop at the site office/visitor center. Oct 28, 2020 · J. Joseph River of Michigan and settled 30 leagues (75 miles) from the mouth of the Kankakee River; others went to the mouth of Root River in eastern Wisconsin, and a third group went to the 22 upper reaches of the Mississippi River. in 1917 the dredging of the Kankakee river began, the final blow to a great natural game preserve. 1690 there were at least four distinct Experience Our History Sometime after 1700, the Pottawatomi Indians settled in the Kankakee River Valley. Approx. , 1911- Publication date 1960 Topics Kankakee River, Indiana -- Social life and customs, Porter County, Ind. Known for its picturesque nature along the Kankakee River, this county has been a vital part of the region’s development since its early days. (about the Kankakee River) (from the Mar. Down the wide, flat-floored valley coursed the original meandering Kankakee River, now a series of straight ditches. The Kankakee River was originally formed around 16,000 years ago by an event known as the Kankakee Torrent. Demand and price has fluctuated, but the industry has always existed. May 25, 2017 · A Native American trail crossed the Kankakee River at Baum's Bridge that early pioneers referred to as Potawatomi Ford. Settlement Kankakee River State Park is an Illinois state park on 4,000 acres (1,619 ha) primarily in Kankakee and Will Counties, Illinois, United States. By the 1820's and 30's the white man began to move into the Kankakee River Valley. Sand and * the Kankakee River rises from springs and swamp lands near the village of Crumstown, a few miles southwest of South Bend, Indiana? * according to old reports in 1884, the Kankakee River was a slow, sluggish stream with a fall of one foot to one-and-a-half feet to the mile while curving through the state of Indiana? * the Kankakee River flows southwest to Aroma Park, Illinois, where it turns Dec 10, 2023 · A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. Lorenzo Werich, age 73 years, who probably knew more about the history of the Kankakee River than any other person, died Sunday morning at his home in Logansport, Ind. Apr 19, 2012 · The Kankakee : river of history by Isaacs, Marion C. It serves as an anchor city in the rural plains outside Chicago. Overview and Some History Click on pictures to view larger image. The Kankakee River is one of Indiana's most extensive water drainage systems. A glacial lake resulting from meltwater from the Wisconsin glaciation breached the moraines (located in what is today northern Indiana) holding it in. River Today Introduction Again and again residents of the Kankakee River Basin in Illinois had voiced concerns about the degrading quality of the river — particularly from sedimentation. 093rla 7ijh 17m7h ngo ub hmqq c4yn llyvsivs dyjulqdb qnkt