Exploring a new area (for me), Geneseo, Illinois, on a dim, Fall morning. Plenty of color, but not much sun to make it really stand out. This is Lock 24 of the Hennepin Canal, an historic canal cut between the Illinois River and the Mississippi River - making it possible to move freight from the Mississippi to Chicago, prior to major roads and rail. The first concrete canal project in America, the Hennepin Canal was first conceived in 1834, but wasn't started until 1892. Once completed in 1904, the canal was effectively obsolete when it opened.
The 75 mile long main canal and 29 mile long feeder canal are used today for recreation. A bike/walking path run alongside the canal, providing interesting views of the remaining locks.
No longer in operation, some locks still have wooden gates (cut to allow water to flow through), and the gears that once opened the locks, providing a glimpse into Illinois' transportation past.
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