Lockport, Illinois
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Lockport got its name from the Illinois & Michigan Canal's Lock No. 1. The I&M Canal was the superhighway of its day and it played an important role in the formation of Lockport and many other towns along its right-of-way. Now it's the Illinois and Michigan National Heritage Corridor, but the remains of the lock are still visible and water still flows through the canal. Nowadays the canal is part of a 62-mile-long trail with state parks and historic buildings to view along the path.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Lockport is on par with the national average. Housing costs make up the largest part of the cost as a mortgage, but home prices in Lockport are affordable as are property taxes. Lockport was a small town until it saw a population explosion in the early 2000s during the housing boom. The resulting housing stock leans towards modern tract homes in planned subdivisions, but there are plenty of American four squares and farm houses that date to the earlier part of the 20th century for those who want vintage.
Transportation
Lockport offers convenient options for transportation by train, bus, and car. The Metra train station on 13th and State Street runs along the Heritage Corridor and heads to Chicago in the northeast and Joliet to the southwest. Pace runs buses to nearby communities, colleges, train stations, and shopping centers. Highway 355 runs through Lockport and connects to I-55 to the north and I-90 to the south. Highway 171 runs from northeast to southwest on the north and east sides of Lockport. Route 7 runs east to west before meeting up with Highway 53 that runs north to south on the west side of Lockport.
Schools
Multiple school districts cover Lockport. Elementary-aged students may attend schools in Taft School District 90, Milne-Kelvin Grove School District 91, Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C, Will County School District 92, and the Fairmont School District 89. All high school students attend Lockport Township High School District 205 which is made up of two high schools. Educational success is mixed and is dependent on quality of the elementary school that children attend. However, Lockport East High School is considered as one of the best high schools in the state with a quality curriculum that includes AP classes and related college-readiness classes. The administration also brings in leaders of multiple industries to help prepare students for their potential careers.
Attractions
As previously mentioned, Lockport is home to four museums. They include the Gaylord Building Historic Site, Gladys Fox Museum, Illinois and Michigan Canal Museum, and the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery. Statesville Prison, famous for its role in the opening of Blues Brothers, hosts a haunted house every year. And two farms, Siegel's Cottonwood Farm and Bengston's Pumpkin Farm are open to the public and showcase what life on a farm is like along with the opportunity to get fresh produce. Lockport offers a slower pace of life with access to good jobs, entertainment, and activities of all kinds.