The Amazing History of the Chicago River

It’s no secret or surprise that the Chicago River played a formative and monumental role in our city’s history. The Algonquin name for the meandering waterway, Checagou or Shikaakwa, is even the origin of our city’s name (meaning wild onions, which grew along the riverbank). It is the Windy City’s critical location for water travel and trade, however, that led to the growth and industrialization into what we know today. 

A Rich History

Long before colonization, the area that would become Chicago was home to various indigenous Native American populations. The Chicago River in early American history played a crucial role in shaping the area — Algonquin, Potawatomi, Miami, Sauk, Fox, and Illinois tribes all lived on the land over time. It wasn’t until the late 1600s, however, that the area was explored by European explorers.

In 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet were introduced by a local Miami tribe to a valuable (and historical) shortcut over wetlands that led from the Mississippi River to the Chicago River and, from there, Lake Michigan. This passage, known as the Chicago Portage, became an essential connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of the country, including beyond to the Gulf of Mexico and the Rocky Mountains. Years later, a canal would be painstakingly dug here, connecting the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers.

The DuSable Family

The modern history of the Chicago River started a long time ago. The river was pivotal for travelers across the land, allowing easy trade and access for merchants and others to cross North America by connecting the East and West of what would become the early United States. In the late 1770s, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable (a familiar last name for many who live in Chicago!) became the first European settler, with his wife Kittahawa, to build a permanent home on the banks of the Chicago River. Today you can find a bronze bust of DuSable on the north shore of the Chicago River, near Michigan Avenue, where his house and successful trading post once stood.

The City Takes Off!

Over the course of only a few decades, Chicago transformed from a small frontier settlement to a bustling, booming industrial town — all because of the river! The impact of the Chicago River on trade – and how the city changed because of it – was monumental. The modern city of Chicago first began in the early 1800s as a U.S. military outpost, Fort Dearborn, a key port for large trading vessels. The city grew from a population of just 4,500 in 1840, to 300,000 in 1870, to more than 1.6 million in 1900.

In addition to trade and easy access to the US’s waterways, The Chicago River also delivered another interesting tool for commerce: ice! During the long, cold winter (which Chicagoans know well!) businesses would cut ice from the river to keep products such as meat and dairy cool during the summer. 

A Changing River

Tourists (and locals too!) might be surprised to learn just how much the river has changed over the years — the evolution of the Chicago River has a long history! From channels to expand waterways (creating Goose Island in 1873!) to adjusting the shape of the bend near Michigan Avenue to accommodate large trading ships, the Chicago River has had a lot of work done to it over the years. One of the biggest changes, though, is the reversal of the river’s direction.

Before today’s modern waste system, the city’s sewers would empty directly into Lake Michigan — the source of the city’s fresh drinking water! In what has become known as one of the greatest (and debated) American feats of civil engineering, the Sanitary District of Chicago successfully reversed (permanently!) the direction of the Chicago River by digging a new, 28-mile canal draining into the Mississippi River. 

Modern Day

Today, the Chicago River continues to be a destination for visitors, locals, and entrepreneurs alike. A city of skyscrapers, many of the new buildings and towers along the river pay homage to the famous waterway, with colors and curves to reflect the beauty of the water below. The Riverwalk, running through the heart of downtown, invites people of all ages to stroll along the riverbank alongside a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops to visit. 

Experience the history of Chicago, and take an unforgettable journey along the Chicago River, with a docent-lead architecture cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady. Learn more about this key American city, how it has grown, and the river that started it all. Reserve your ticket, grab a seat, and get ready to have fun!