Section between Summit and Willow Springs

Hauling Stone Away, 16 July 1894

Photographers: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society

Once the dynamite had loosened the rock, workers had to manually load hoppers that were hoisted by a cable beyond the floor of the canal.

See also: Sanitary and Ship Canal

Worker Mess Hall and Barracks

Photographers: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society

Work on the canal took laborers far from their homes. Many took advantage of camps constructed by the Sanitary and Ship Canal Commissioners. This photograph shows a mess hall and worker barracks.

See also: Work

“A Summer Resort on the Drainage Canal,” 2 June, 1896

Photographers: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society

Most of the photographs in this album show African American workers. In the staged pose here, black laborers play dice in their time off from the construction work. African American workers were perhaps more likely to live in the camps set up by the Sanitary District Commission.

See also: Company Housing; African-Americans