A National Historic Landmark. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
One of 7 National Register listings published here for Grundy County · listed in 1997 · category: Site · a National Historic Landmark.
Sources: the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service · the Wikipedia article
The chapter on Wauponsee Township in History of Grundy County, Illinois : Containing a History from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time ... , Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, Etc, published 1882 names Morris. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.
Claypool. Our subject was the third white child born in this county, his father settling here in 1834; the latter, while hauling logs from Chicago to Morris, was kicked by his horse, from the effects of which he died October 15, 1846. Mary (Foster) Claypool, the mother of our subject, is still living. Mr. John Claypool received his education in Morris, where he attended the first day school ever organized there. He was married, April 7, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Hume, born in England May 15, 1837, daughter of Edward Hume, who came from England with his family and settled in New York State, where they remained until about 1858, when they came to Wauponsee Township, Grundy County, 111. Here Mra. Claypool's father died, in January, 1859, and her mother September 17, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Claypool have three children, as follows: Jennie M., born May 2, 18(50; Abel, born April 11, 1862, and John E., born July 11, 1868. Mr. C. owns 408 acres of land. He is a Republican, and has tilled a number of offices in his township.
Passage source: History of Grundy County, Illinois : Containing a History from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time ... , Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, Etc, published 1882.
P. G. COSGROVE, farmer, P. O. Morris, was bcJrn in County Roscommon, Ireland, March 17, 1811, and was raised on a farm. He came to the United States in April, 1840, and worked in Pennsylvania for two years on canal and railroad; he then went to Canada, where he was engaged on public works for the following two years; then came to Chicago, where he worked until August 15, 1840, when ho began steamboating on the Mississippi River. In the spring of 1853, he went to California, where he worked in the mines for three years. Returning to Illinois, he settled in Wauponsee Township, Grundy County, on his present farm of 160 acres, which is all under cultivation, and valued at $50 an acre. Subject was married, February 17, 1833, to Miss Annie Kattican,
Passage source: History of Grundy County, Illinois : Containing a History from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time ... , Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, Etc, published 1882.
Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.
Read the whole chapter on Wauponsee Township - 3,645 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 2 fires within 5 miles of Mazon Creek Fossil Beds between 2003 and 2018, burning about 600 acres in total. 1 started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 1 |
| Natural | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 April 2003 | Natural | 600 acres | Illinois Division of Forestry Resources | GOOSE LAKE |
| 11 April 2018 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Illinois Division of Forestry Resources | 18-000183 |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 6 workings within 5 miles of Mazon Creek Fossil Beds: 4 past producers, 1 producer, 1 plant. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Lake Pit | Clay | Past Producer | ||
| Grundy City Pit | Stone | Past Producer | ||
| Morris City Pit | Stone | Past Producer | ||
| Morris Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Morris Sand & Gravel Dredge | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Morris Sand & Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Plant |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Morris, the town this property stands in, in 86 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 51 thunderstorm wind, 23 hail, 5 flood, 3 lightning. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2008 | Flood | Morris | $3,000,000 | The Illinois River reached a record crest of 24.84 feet at Morris on the 16th. In Morris, flood waters inundated large areas near the river including the public works facilities and sewage treatment facilities. Water surrounded Ravine Woods apartment complex and residents had to be evacuated. Residents were also evacuated from homes on the east side of Morris along Cemetery Road. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| August 2007 | Flood | Morris | $2,100,000 | Following a week of heavy rainfall and a storm event rainfall of nearly five inches, significant flooding occurred in the northern two thirds of Grundy County on August 24th, as runoff worked it's way to ditches and streams that quickly overtopped their banks, followed by flooding along larger streams and the Illinois River. Hundreds of basements filled with water, one rehabiliation center was evacuated in Morris, while a berm was built around the Morris hospital to protect the structure and prevent an evacuation and shutdown of that facility. Local officials used more than 22,000 sandbags in an attempt to protect numerous structures from the rushing water. In other locations, piles of gravel were used to divert the flow of water. Many crops were damaged by flowing floodwaters or mud left on plants after the floodwaters receded. An apartment complex was evacuated in Tudor Park due to flooding. |
| August 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $1,500,000 | An estimated 40 to 45 trees were blown down in Morris, including some that fell onto houses and cars. A 26 inch diameter tree fell onto a house on Freemont Avenue. A 250 foot transmission tower along I-80 collapsed. A semi-truck parked at a rest stop was toppled. |
| August 1993 | Hail | Morris | $500,000 | no account filed |
| June 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $150,000 | Strong winds brought down tree branches and wires. Falling trees caused damage to buildings and at least one vehicle. |
| July 2009 | Lightning | Morris | $100,000 | A lightning strike at or near the Grundy County Administration Center damaged portions of the 911 system equipment, Emergency Operations Center equipment and the administration center computer systems. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $100,000 | Ten inch diameter tree blown down blocking Southmor Road, south of Morris. Eight inch diameter tree blown down near Jewitt and Center Street. Several tree limbs and power lines blown down across Grundy County. Several 8 to 10 inch diameter tree limbs blown down and a 30 foot section of corn field flattened near Saratoga Road, one mile north of Interstate 80. Damage reported to power lines, structures and crops. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $90,000 | Wind gusts to 68 and 72 mph were recorded at the Grundy County EOC in Morris. Limbs and wires were blown down along Route 6 west of Morris. Trees were uprooted and tree limbs and power poles were snapped along Saratoga Road northwest of Morris. Trees and wires were down across north and central parts of Morris. Several homes and vehicles were damaged by falling tree limbs. Crops were also flattened. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $75,000 | Straight line winds of 80 to 90 mph caused a tremendous amount of tree damage across all of Morris. Numerous utility poles were snapped and power lines were blown down. Numerous roads were blocked. An estimated 90 percent of the city was without power. Structural damage was observed to a warehouse building on the north side of Morris with significant loss of roof covering. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $60,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | Several trees and power lines were blown down in Morris. The most significant was on Liberty Street, where a tree fell onto a house causing damage. Another tree fell and blocked Cemetery Road. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | Large branches and wires were blown down. There was some structural damage from tree limbs. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down in Morris. A few trees were uprooted. A large tree fell onto a house and a car on Benton Street, causing significant damage to both. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | An area of Morris suffered tree damage and the falling trees and tree limbs damaged several houses. Some trees were 2 to 3 feet in diameter. The area of damage was bounded by Vine Street to the west, the railroad tracks to the north, Jeffereson Street to the south and Washington Street on the east. |
| October 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | Trees, tree limbs, and power lines were blown down across much of Grundy County. Widespread crop damage was reported with some damage to out buildings. A garage door was damaged near Dwight and Lowery Roads. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $50,000 | A thunderstorm produced a wind gust to 68 mph at the Grundy County Emergency Services Office. Hail ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 inch in diameter fell in the area. Trees and power lines were damaged by high winds and lightning. Flooding of roads was casued by 1.43 inches of rail falling in 35 minutes. |
| August 2002 | Lightning | Morris | $40,000 | no account filed |
| June 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $30,000 | no account filed |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $25,000 | Cars were reported blown off a road north of Morris. A 62 mph gust was measured at Route 6 and Saratoga, two miles west of Morris. |
| July 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $20,000 | A strong thunderstorm produced heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts to 78 mph at the Grundy County Emergency Operations Center. Several rooftops were removed on the west side of Morris with the debris landing as much as a block away. Power lines were downed, causing power outages for up to 24 hours. Some trees were uprooted and numerous large tree branches were downed, causing structural and vehicle damage. |
| June 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $10,000 | A two block area in Morris received widespread tree damage, trees blown down and shingles blown off roofs. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $10,000 | Large tree limbs and power lines were blown down in the Morris and Coal City areas. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $10,000 | Wind gusted to 68 mph at Route 47 and DuPont Road, south of Morris. Branches were blown down and a dish was turned on a tower at Route 47 and Route 113. Corn was flattened on Route 113 near Higgins Road. |
| September 2006 | Flash Flood | Morris | $5,000 | Heavy rain fell across parts of Grundy County during the morning hours of September 13th. Several roads were flooded including Grand Ridge Road, Southmore Road, Route 6 and Tabler Road and Pine Bluff and Dresden Roads. Numerous basements were flooded in the Morris and Minooka areas. One person had to be rescued from a stalled vehicle in flood waters. Storm total rainfall in Morris was 4.16 inches and 4 miles northwest of Coal City received 4.10 inches of rain. |
| May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $4,000 | Eight power poles were blown down at Ashton Road and Interstate 80. |
| July 2000 | Lightning | Morris | $2,000 | Lightning struck the roof of a house, setting fire to the roof and attic. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | $500 | A tree was blown down and fencing was damaged near a hardware store. Wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Mulitple trees and large tree limbs were blown down in and near Morris. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Multiple reports of tree damage were received from just north of Morris near Interstate 80. |
| September 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in and around Morris including a 16 inch diameter tree that was snapped. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Power lines were blown down at the boat launch at Stratton State Park. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Trees and power lines were blown down. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Tree limbs and power lines were blown down. |
| August 2020 | Hail | Morris | - | Golf ball size hail was reported near Interstate 80 and Lisbon Road. |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Numerous trees were blown down in Morris. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Couple trees downed. Numerous large branches downed. Outbuilding damaged. Radar estimated time. |
| June 2015 | Flash Flood | Morris | - | Several roads in Morris were flooded and closed. Nearby in Coal City, 1.49 inches of rain was measured in 35 minutes. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | A 16 inch diameter tree was uprooted at Rod and Gun Club Road. |
| July 2012 | Hail | Morris | - | Nickel size hail was reported at Route 47 and Route 6. |
| May 2012 | Hail | Morris | - | Several reports of hail up to the size of quarters came in from Morris, including at the intersections of Union and Route 6, Route 6 and Route 47, as well as McKinley Street and Route 47. |
| May 2011 | Flood | Morris | - | Minor street flooding was reported in the Tudor Park Subdivision of Morris. |
| September 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | A tree 24 inches in diameter was blown down onto a garage. Several tree limbs up to 6 inches in diameter were also blown down. |
| August 2011 | Hail | Morris | - | Penny size hail was reported near Spruce Street and Main Street. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Wind gusts were estimated between 60 and 70 mph. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Large trees were blown down on the west side of Morris. |
| August 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Two trees blown down on Cemetary Road. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | A gust to 58 mph was measured near Shabonna and Southmor Roads just south of Morris. |
| August 2007 | Flood | Morris | - | Six inches of water over Route 47 at the Illinois River Bridge. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | One healthy 12 inch diameter tree snapped off at the base, one quarter mile west of Dwight and Southmor Roads. Two 8 inch diameter tree limbs also blown down. |
| July 2006 | Flood | Morris | - | Route 47 on the north side of Morris had 4 to 5 inches of water covering the road. |
| June 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | A tree was blown down. |
| May 2006 | Hail | Morris | - | Nickel to quarter size hail was reported along Interstate 80. |
| March 2005 | Hail | Morris | - | Quarter sized hail was reported covering the ground in Morris, 1836-1841 CST.Half dollar sized hail was reported in Morris, 1840-1845 CST.Quarter sized hail was reported in Minooka, 1850-1855 CST. |
| March 2005 | Hail | Morris | - | Nickel sized hail reported 8 miles west of Morris, 1625-1630 CSTQuarter sized hail reported in Morris, 1635-1640 CST.Penny sized hail reported in Morris, 1638-1643 CST.Quarter sized hail reported near mile marker 115 on I-80, just east of Morris, 1638-1643 CST.Golf ball sized hail reported at the Morris Airport, 5 miles north of Morris, 1640-1645 CST.Quarter sized hail reported in Morris, 1640-1645 CST.Quarter sized hail reported 2 miles north of I-80, on Ridge Rd. in Minooka, 1655-1700 CST. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | A tree was blown down on Gun Club Road. |
| May 2004 | Hail | Morris | - | Reported at the intersection of Routes 47 and 113. |
| June 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Morris | - | Large tree limbs broken off by strong winds. |
| August 2003 | Hail | Morris | - | Reported at Route 47 and US 6. |
No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.
Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | White and Company's Goose Lake Stoneware Manufactury | 2.6 miles | 1998 |
 | White and Company's Goose Lake Tile Works | 2.7 miles | 1998 |
 | Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site | 3.4 miles | 2000 |
 | Morris Downtown Commercial Historic District | 3.8 miles | 2006 |
 | Coleman Hardware Company Building | 3.9 miles | 1994 |
 | Dresden Island Lock and Dam Historic District | 6.5 miles | 2004 |
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 97001272 in Record Group 79. |
| Wikipedia article | Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA. |
| Grundy County | All 7 listed properties in this county. |
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