Reading the various reports issued by the Illinois Michigan canal commission in the early 1840’s, one can receive an overall impression of the state of completion.  No significant work had been performed in years.  4.7 million had been spent and yet much work had yet to be done.  Supplies purchased for construction had either been stolen or deteriorated.  Sections built had begun the process of deteriorating.  The original deep cut plan for obtaining water from the Chicago river was in the process of being abandoned because of cost. Alternate sources of water supply were being considered.
     Money was owned to contractors and bond holders.  People were paid with scrip and worthless checks.  In a word the canal was a disaster.  It needed to be completed for the income from tolls; but the money to complete was lacking.

     During the years the I and M canal was active there were several limestone quarries along its course. These were located in Lemont, Lockport, and Joliet.  The limestone was used in building construction locally, construction of canal locks and more distal construction  such as in Chicago.  In Chicago buildings such as the water tower,Holy Name Cathedral, and Old Saint Mary’s Church were constructed with this Limestone.  The laborers that worked in the quarry were immigrants from many countries; large proportion were from Ireland.  The quarries were particularly active after the Chicago fire.  They were used in rebuilding the city. 
     In later years, activity decreased .  This was from competition from limestone mined in Indiana.  This was considered a more durable product.  The Illinois quarries were relegated to producing crushed rock.

In part one, we dealt with the type of sandstone found in Ottawa, Illinois.  We also dealt with the mining companies.  In this section we consider the local companies using the silica. 
   The first glass company was Ottawa Glass Company. It’s factory was built in1867 along the north bank of the Illinois Michigan Canal.  Later, the company built 2 other plants on the same property.  In 1888, the firm was acquired by the United Glass Company.  By 1898,the factory closed due to competition from Indiana factories. 
     In 1882, a second glassware opened–Ottawa Bottle Company.  This company underwent name changes and closed in 1895.
     Two other glass plants opened before the turn to of the century–LaBastie Glass Works of E. Dr Law Chappelle and Company.  This was known for its lamp chimneys.  This opened in 1888.  This was also located along the I’M Canal.  The plant closed around the turn of the century.   The plant was later used Keen Kleaner Manufacturing Company.  This company combined sand with Tripoli rock to make scouring powders and cleaning compounds.   The second plant was the Peltier Glass Company.  It opened between 1891 and 1898.  Products included marbles and stained glass.  This plant stayed in business for many years.
    In 1908,  the Federal Plate Glass Company opened along the northern bank of the Illinois River.  The plant underwent numerous name changes and is currently owned by a multinational–Pilkington.
     There were many factories and plants.  Many closed because of competition with Indiana. This state had an abundant supply of cheap natural gas.

The Silica deposits of Ottawa,Illinois is a mineral found in a geologic formation known as St Peter sandstone.   This deposit is found in Ottawa and 10 miles west.  It is also present in the Fox River Valley.  The characteristics of Saint Peter sandstone include: deposits are soft and easy to mine;  the sand is high quality silica;  because of its purity, it can be cheaply mined; it is located near the surface.  Major sand mining occurred in the 1890’s.  It appears the majority of the sand mined was transported by rail.  Several mining operations occurred in the area.   The largest of the s was Ottawa Silica Company.   This continues in operation today as United States Borax and Chemical Company of Los Angeles and later the U.S. Silica Company.

  This last Saturday I travelled to LaSalle, Ilinois to view the Illinois Michigan Canal.  Proceeding from east to west, the first site seen was the refurbished aqueduct over the Little Vermilion River.  Currently, it is well filled with water.  As I proceeded westward,  there was a well preserved segment of the canal with its tow path.  Next in site is the refurbished Lock 14.    Distal to this is a widening of the canal referred as the canal basin.  This was constructed to accommodate barges leaving and entering the canal.  Next seen is the remnant of Lock 15.  This has not been refurbished.  Finally west of this is a large widened segment for steamboats entering from the Illinois River.  Also, near Lock 15, are remnant limestone piers of the Burlington Railroad over the canal.

Little is known about the construction of canal boats on the Illinois Michigan Canal.  In the late 1990’s, there was a breach in the integrity of the canal after a severe rain fall.  In an area known as the Morris wide, the remains of multiple deserted canal boats were seen.  Investigation of these boats was undertaken.  It was found that the boats were made of white oak and pine.  Nails were forged or machine made.  Presumably, other boats were abandoned in other areas of the canal.

After many long years, the Illinois Michigan Canal had its official start on July 4, 1836.    The official ground breaking ceremony took place at the Chicago River.  The steam boat Chicago transported dignitaries and pleasure seakers from Lake Michigan to the site of the ceremony.  The Declaration of Independence was read.  Speeches were given by dignitaries.   Toasts were made.  The ceremonial turning of the sod was done.  Absent from this official ceremony were any of the laborers who would perform any of the work on the canal.   After the completion of the festivities, the Chicago  steamed back to Lake Michigan and was pelted with rocks by a group of Irish workers stationed in a quarry on the bank of the Chicago River.   12 of these workers were ultimately arrested.   A definite clear motivation for the attack was never made clear.   Perhaps it was due in part to their lack of inclusion in the celebration.