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Document 33 – |
Donation of Canal Lots to the City of Chicago
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February 20, 1849 |
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Document 33 |
Transcription 3442 |
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Illinois & Michigan Canal Office Chicago, February 20 1849 I, Joseph B. Wells, State Trustee of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, do hereby certify, that Lot five (5) in Block four (4), Lot nine (9) in Block fifty (50), Lot six (6) in Block fifty five (55) and Lot six (6) in Block fifty eight (58) in the original town (now city) of Chicago have been donated by the Commissioners ofthe Illinois & Michigan Canal to the city of Chicago for the use of schools, in accordance with the provisions of the several acts of Assemby for the donation of Lots in Towns situated on Canal lands to public purposes; that said lots are a part of the Land appropriated by the General government to aid the State of Illinois in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and upon the presentation of this certificate to the Governor of the State of Illinois, the said city of Chicago will be entitled to receive a patent for the Lots above described Joseph B. Wells Issued Patent Feb 27 ,49 State Trustee |
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The General Assembly had enacted a law in 1839 which donated canal lots to towns laid out adjacent to the line of the canal. Each of these towns was to receive up to four lots to support public education. The canal trustees were planning to auction all remaining canal town lots on May 10, 1849. Before this sale took place it was necessary for the trustees to fulfill their legislated obligation to donate certain lots for various purposes. Joseph B. Wells, a former lieutenant governor, had been appointed by Governor Augustus French to replace state trustee Charles Oakley who had died on January 1, 1849.
Lot 5, block 4 is located at the southeast corner of Kinzie and Wells Streets. A ground level parking lot is located there today. Lot 9, block 50 is located at the northeast corner of Madison and Clinton Streets. The Citicorp Center now stands there. Lot 6, block 55 is located on Madison Street, east of Wells Street. Parts of the 2 North La Salle Building and a Self Park garage now are situated there. Lot 6, block 58 is located on Madison Street, east of Dearborn Street. The One North Dearborn Building currently occupies this site.
To locate Chicago lots and blocks, see Exhibit B.
What was Joseph B. Wells doing in this document?
Locate lot 5, block 4 and lot 9, block 50 in the Original Town of Chicago. Which structures are located there today?
Locate lot 6, block 55 and lot 6, block 58 in the Original Town of Chicago. Which structures are located there today?
Why had the General Assembly enacted legislation requiring the canal commissioners to donate valuable canal lots to the city of Chicago to be used to support schools?
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