Chicago Portage National Historic Site, Illinois, United States
5.0 (7 reviews) Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Ranking #1 in Forest View National Parks
Hidden Historic Gem
While exploring Cook County Forest Preserves and Trails in 2020, I came upon this hidden gem worth centuries of history. A little history - The Chicago Portage National Historic Site marks the western end of the historic portage linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and to the Gulf of Mexico. The Portage is the reason why this location became an economic and transportation hub for this country. The National Park Service officially designates this as a historic place of importance. But, the site could be developed more comprehensively to bring out its historical significance. Though there are display boards at the site, a 3-D relief map would be a great help to quickly get to the crux of this place. An attractive feature at the site is a metal sculpture depicting a boat being ported. Visitors can engage in hiking, biking and canoeing. There is a shelter for picnicking. The Salt Creek trail runs through this park. This is a hidden historic gem well worth a visit.
Address
4800 S Harlem Ave, Forest View, IL 60402-3211
Website
http://www.chicagoportage.org/chicagoportage.htm
Working hours
Monday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 14:45
User Ratings
5.0 based on (7 reviews)
Reviews
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4GuatemalaCiclista 5:00 PM Oct 21, 2020
Need to promote this place more
Being a native of Chicago, one doesn't give enough time to think how and why this city was formed. The Portage is a great place to start. Its the reason why this location became an economic and transportation hub for this country. The place makes you think about the history of Chicago but it really should go further with some sort of more extensive walking trail that follows the actual portage. Nonetheless, well worth a visit.
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5Taylor B 5:00 PM Aug 22, 2022
Linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River
Nobody ever discovered the fabled Northwest Passage, an oceanic route through the North American continent, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But French explorers discovered the Chicago Portage, which links the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River, linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, enabling travelers to navigate from the mouth of the St. Lawrence River on the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico. Located at 4800 South Harlem Avenue, in Lyons Township, north of I-55, in Chicago Portage Forest Preserve and Ottawa Trail Woods Forest Preserve, at the junction of Portage Creek with the Des Plaines River, the site commemorates the Chicago Portage, first written about by French explorers Father Marquette and Louis Joliet during their use of the portage and exploration of the area between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. The portage crossed Mud Lake, which could be wet, swampy, frozen or dry, depending on the season, and which has seen been obliterated. Mud Lake extended from the western end of the South Branch of the Chicago River (near today's Damen Avenue) to the Des Plaines River at the present National Historic Site. The 91.2-acre site was designated as an affiliated area of the National Park Service in 1952 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. A memorial depicting the portage of French explorers is located at the parking area. A trail leads from the memorial to the portage wilderness area.
