Will County

Later that same year, workers broke ground for the nearly 100-mile-long Illinois and Michigan Canal between the Illinois and Chicago Rivers. The opening of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the movement of industry away from Chicago caused manufacturers to turn their attention to Will. As the county’s population grew, the unincorporated area between Joliet and Chicago’s southern suburbs continued to shrink. The transportation ties linking Chicago with the communities of Will County–traces, paths, wagon roads, canals, rail lines, plank roads, and highways–helped create an expanding metropolitan region. The early history and unique growth of Will County is showcased in this book. Over 200 vintage postcards provide an interesting glimpse into the social, material, and cultural history of Will County in the early 20th century.