Visual Literacy: IllustrationGritsmills were built near the waterways because water turned the wheel that powered the machines inside the mill.History and Economics link – Most goods traveled by boat. Only people in locations without waterways moved goods over land. Q) Why were waterways such important transportation routes in colonial times?Economics – Farming provided many kinds of jobs besides labor, as some artisans depended on farm goods. Examples of this include bakers, butchers, flour millers, and soap makers.