Ottawa Toll House

In Ottawa,on the bank of the Illinois Michigan Canal near Columbus Street, there stands the only remaining toll house of the Canal.  It was likely built around 1848.    Tolls were collected here.  One toll was for the canal boat and a second toll was for the cargo.   Near the building, there was a low lying swing bridge which prevented boats from leaving this area until the toll was paid.  These tolls were used to pay off the construction bonds and the upkeep of the canal.    The toll house closed in 1926.  One of its many uses was a barber shop.  It current appearance was from refurbishment.  It apparently resembles the 1910 appearance of the toll house.