The last major United States canal left to explore in connecting the Atlantic to the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River as part of the Mahoning Movement transportation and advocacy project, is the Illinois & Michigan (I&M Canal). On July 8, Jacob Harver will set out on bicycle from Lake Michigan at Chicago to explore it and the Hennepin canal to Davenport, Iowa and then up the Mississippi to Minneapolis.

This is especially meaningful as professor emeritus Dr. Tom Leary at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor (YHCIL), was a preliminary consultant on historical interpretation for the trail. His mentorship to Jacob in education and formulating the Mahoning Movement, in resurrecting the P&O canal as an interpreted accessible active transportation trail was essential.

On October 12 at the YHCIL, Jacob will present his findings and experience along with his other canal journeys (C&O, Erie, Ohio & Erie, Pennsylvania). Sponsorship of any amount is greatly appreciated. A $250 organizational level would especially be helpful and would include featuring your logo on MahoningMovement.com website and promotional literature. Thank you for the consideration!

Much appreciation to the Historic Hideaway in Lockport, IL for night one’s accommodations and this nice write up!

"PhD Student Bicycling I&M Canal Trail for Thesis ~ 1st stop, Lockport"

Jacob Harver, a Kent State PhD student, focuses on the history of transportation and advocacy. He has bicycled many canal and railroad trails (including Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.; St. Louis to Kansas City; and Youngstown to Cincinnati). For his “canal research” project and thesis he has one last canal trail to bike, and it seems he has saved the best for last, the I&M Canal Trail!

On July 8th Harver will leave Youngstown Ohio by train arriving at Chicago’s Union Station. There he will bicycle his way to the I&M Canal Trail and onward to Lockport for the first night’s stay of his journey. In Lockport he will be staying at the Historic Hideaway, a BnB guest house filled with artifacts & antiques relating to Lockport, Illinois, Route 66 and the I&M Canal.

On July 9th, Harver will be bicycling onward towards Ottawa, IL (Starved Rock), Davenport, IA and then north to Minneapolis MN with many stops along the way. He will be camping and collecting information for his academic requirements and thesis while advocating for the “Mahoning Movement” which aims to create a continuous bike trail from Washington, D.C., to Cincinnati.

As we celebrate the I&M Canal 175th anniversary we also wish Jacob safe travels and great success!

Press and media wishing to interview, experts wishing to provide information about the I&M history and trails, or those wishing to offer support or hospitality should email Jacob.Harver@gmail.com or call 330-550-5637.

For more information see: