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Photograph of Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site
Photograph by Teemu08, CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

From the record

“The Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site is an archaeological site in Morris, Illinois, which contains the remains of seven canal boats sunk in the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The boats were likely built between 1865 and 1885 and were abandoned at the site between 1895 and 1915, after which they gradually sank.”

Wikipedia article Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 7 National Register listings published here for Grundy County · listed in 2000 · category: Structure.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

  • Address. East Washington St., Morris, 60450
  • When was it listed? February 2000
  • Category. structure
  • Township. Morris township
  • National Register reference number. 99001708 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

Mines and quarries near this property

9 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 9 workings within 5 miles of Morris Wide Water Canal Boat Site: 4 past producers, 3 occurrences, 1 producer, 1 plant. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Grundy City PitStonePast Producer
Morris City PitStonePast Producer
Morris PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Morris Sand & Gravel DredgeSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Morris Sand & Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPlant
Limestone ProspectStone, Crushed/BrokenOccurrence
Limestone ProspectStone, Crushed/BrokenOccurrence
Limestone ProspectStone, Crushed/BrokenOccurrence
Unnamed Limestone QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer

Every working recorded in Grundy County

Storms near this property

60 of 86 shown

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.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2008FloodMorris$3,000,000The 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 2003Thunderstorm WindMorris$2,500,000no account filed
August 2007FloodMorris$2,100,000Following 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 2012Thunderstorm WindMorris$1,500,000An 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 1993HailMorris$500,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindMorris$150,000Strong winds brought down tree branches and wires. Falling trees caused damage to buildings and at least one vehicle.
July 2009LightningMorris$100,000A 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 2007Thunderstorm WindMorris$100,000Ten 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 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris$90,000Wind 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 2014Thunderstorm WindMorris$75,000Straight 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 1998Thunderstorm WindMorris$60,000no account filed
June 2011Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000Several 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 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000Large branches and wires were blown down. There was some structural damage from tree limbs.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000Numerous 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 2007Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000An 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 2006Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000Trees, 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 1994Thunderstorm WindMorris$50,000A 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 2002LightningMorris$40,000no account filed
June 1996Thunderstorm WindMorris$30,000no account filed
August 2007Thunderstorm WindMorris$25,000Cars 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 1997Thunderstorm WindMorris$20,000A 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 2017Thunderstorm WindMorris$10,000A two block area in Morris received widespread tree damage, trees blown down and shingles blown off roofs.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindMorris$10,000Large tree limbs and power lines were blown down in the Morris and Coal City areas.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris$10,000Wind 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 2006Flash FloodMorris$5,000Heavy 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 2011Thunderstorm WindMorris$4,000Eight power poles were blown down at Ashton Road and Interstate 80.
July 2000LightningMorris$2,000Lightning struck the roof of a house, setting fire to the roof and attic.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris$500A tree was blown down and fencing was damaged near a hardware store. Wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindMorris-Mulitple trees and large tree limbs were blown down in and near Morris.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindMorris-Multiple reports of tree damage were received from just north of Morris near Interstate 80.
September 2021Thunderstorm WindMorris-Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in and around Morris including a 16 inch diameter tree that was snapped.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindMorris-Power lines were blown down at the boat launch at Stratton State Park.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindMorris-Trees and power lines were blown down.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindMorris-Tree limbs and power lines were blown down.
August 2020HailMorris-Golf ball size hail was reported near Interstate 80 and Lisbon Road.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindMorris-Numerous trees were blown down in Morris.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindMorris-Couple trees downed. Numerous large branches downed. Outbuilding damaged. Radar estimated time.
June 2015Flash FloodMorris-Several roads in Morris were flooded and closed. Nearby in Coal City, 1.49 inches of rain was measured in 35 minutes.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindMorris-A 16 inch diameter tree was uprooted at Rod and Gun Club Road.
July 2012HailMorris-Nickel size hail was reported at Route 47 and Route 6.
May 2012HailMorris-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 2011FloodMorris-Minor street flooding was reported in the Tudor Park Subdivision of Morris.
September 2011Thunderstorm WindMorris-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 2011HailMorris-Penny size hail was reported near Spruce Street and Main Street.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindMorris-Wind gusts were estimated between 60 and 70 mph.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindMorris-Large trees were blown down on the west side of Morris.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindMorris-Wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindMorris-Two trees blown down on Cemetary Road.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindMorris-A gust to 58 mph was measured near Shabonna and Southmor Roads just south of Morris.
August 2007FloodMorris-Six inches of water over Route 47 at the Illinois River Bridge.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindMorris-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 2006FloodMorris-Route 47 on the north side of Morris had 4 to 5 inches of water covering the road.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindMorris-A tree was blown down.
May 2006HailMorris-Nickel to quarter size hail was reported along Interstate 80.
March 2005HailMorris-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 2005HailMorris-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 2005Thunderstorm WindMorris-A tree was blown down on Gun Club Road.
May 2004HailMorris-Reported at the intersection of Routes 47 and 113.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindMorris-Large tree limbs broken off by strong winds.
August 2003HailMorris-Reported at Route 47 and US 6.

Every storm recorded in Grundy County

Map coverage status

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.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

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.

Sources for this property

National Archives recordThe nomination case file for reference 99001708 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia articleCommunity-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Grundy CountyAll 7 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

  • Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
  • Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
  • How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.