Gaylord Building Historic Site

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The Gaylord Building played a vital role in one of the great enterprises of the 19th century: the Illinois & Michigan Canal. A landmark since 1838, its many tenants and uses exemplify the canal’s commercial success as the key to mastery of the American mid-continent. This handsome limestone warehouse originally stored canal construction materials and later housed a variety of commercial ventures. Today it serves as a national example of adaptive re-use and is a gateway to the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Visitors will discover in the exhibition galleries the unique heritage of the site and the corridor. The Gaylord Building is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.The Gaylord Building played a vital role in one of the great enterprises of the 19th century: the Illinois & Michigan Canal. A landmark since 1838, its many tenants and uses exemplify the canal’s commercial success as the key to mastery of the American mid-continent. This handsome limestone warehouse originally stored canal construction materials and later housed a variety of commercial ventures. Today it serves as a national example of adaptive re-use and is a gateway to the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Visitors will discover in the exhibition galleries the unique heritage of the site and the corridor. The Gaylord Building is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.