Founded in 1818, Illinois was originally part of New France. After the American Revolution, the state’s population began to grow. As more settlers arrived and commerce took place via the Erie Canal, Illinois became part of the United States. As Illinois grew, increased trade and commerce in the Chicago River led to the namesake city’s founding in the 1830s.
After the invention of the plow, immigrants from Germany and Sweden began to take interest in farming, and Illinois’ rich soil earned it the name, “The Prairie State.” In 1848, canal transportation allowed goods to be shipped efficiently between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes, and railroads only added to this efficiency. The state became a critical center for shipping goods and transporting passengers.
By the turn of the century, coal mining and other jobs in the cities made Illinois an attractive prospect for European immigrants. As African-Americans came to the state during The Great Migration, Chicago’s jazz scene took off, and the city is now responsible for over half of the Illinois population thanks to it’s growth in the 1900s. The labor unions that exist today are largely a result of the massive growth that took place in Chicago during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Our Blogs
September 24, 2020
Illinois is hands down one of the best places to go camping in the United States. Whether you prefer to set up shop on the shores […]
September 24, 2020
If there’s one thing Chicago is famous for, it’s the food. Pizza, hotdogs, and Italian beef are just a few of Chicago’s best-selling eats, and the […]
September 24, 2020
Founded in 1818, Illinois was originally part of New France. After the American Revolution, the state’s population began to grow. As more settlers arrived and commerce […]
September 24, 2020
No matter where you go in Illinois, you’ll always find something exciting to do. The Prairie State boasts some of the hottest tourist attractions in the […]
September 24, 2020
Illinois offers ample opportunities for dining, exploring, shopping, and entertainment, and Chicago is just the beginning. This diverse state has something for everyone. Historic sites, natural […]