Featured Community of the Month: Lockport, IL

Located in the southwest suburbs, Lockport is approximately 30 miles outside of Chicago. Lockport is considered the “City that made Chicago Famous” due to its crucial role in building and maintaining the I&M Canal, which is a direct waterway between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. This canal ultimately helped Chicago become one of the major trade centers of the Midwest. Settlers came into the area around 1830, the canal opened in 1848 and Lockport was incorporated as a city in 1853. Today, the Lockport Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Old Canal Days, a celebration of the area, community organizations, businesses and more. This years Old Canal Days is happening June 5-8, 2025.

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Some additional interesting facts about Lockport and things you may not have known about until now:
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1. Lockport is home to many historic buildings including the Gaylord Building which sits next to the I&M Canal. The building was built originally as a storage facility for materials to build the canal. Once the canal was completed, the building was sold off and has changed hands a few times since then. Today, the building is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The building has a museum within it with history of the canal, Gallery Seven, an art gallery on the second floor, and the Public Landing Restaurant.

2. Lockport continued to be a hub to travel and commerce within the area. Not only did it have the I&M Canal, it also was along Route 66 and Archer Avenue, and in 1911 a railroad opened which runs parallel to the canal. Today is also is an access point of Interstate 355. Downtown Lockport continues to thrive with many locally owned small businesses and restaurants. Lemon Town Films recently filmed in Lockport as part of their series to explore America's small towns showcasing what makes each community unique.

3. Shark Shredding is the best document shredding service serving the Lockport area since 2005.