Channahon, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Channahon
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The locktender’s house at I&M Canal Lock No. 6
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Location of Channahon in Grundy and Will Counties, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Illinois | ||
| County | Grundy, Will | ||
| Townships | Channahon, Troy, Aux Sable, Goose Lake, Saratoga | ||
| Incorporated | December 11, 1961 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 16.9 sq mi (43.77 km2) | ||
| • Land | 15.62 sq mi (40.46 km2) | ||
| • Water | 1.28 sq mi (3.30 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 600 ft (200 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,383 | ||
| • Density | 856.7/sq mi (330.77/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Code(s) |
60410
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| Area code(s) | 815 | ||
| FIPS code | 17-12476 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2397601 | ||
Channahon is a village in Illinois, USA. It is located in both Grundy and Will counties. In 2020, about 13,383 people lived there.
Channahon is southwest of Joliet, Illinois. It sits where three rivers meet: the Des Plaines, Kankakee, and DuPage rivers. These rivers then join to form the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal also runs through the village. Most of Channahon is in Channahon Township. The current village president is Missey Moorman Schumacher.
Contents
History of Channahon
Early Inhabitants and Naming
Long ago, about three to four thousand years ago, people called Mound Builders lived in this area. They built large earth mounds. Later, in the early 1830s, white settlers arrived. At that time, the Potawatomi people lived here. The settlers and Potawatomi had friendly relationships. The settlers named the area "Channahon." This name comes from a Potawatomi phrase meaning "meeting of the waters."
The Illinois and Michigan Canal
In 1836, work began on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Channahon was chosen as the spot for two of the canal's locks. Locks are like water elevators that help boats move between different water levels. In 1845, a man named Myrvin Benjamin planned a new settlement here. He wanted to use the two rivers and the almost-finished canal. At first, the settlement was called "Du Page." But in 1850, when the local government was set up, it was officially named Channahon.
Growth, Decline, and Rebirth
By the 1870s, Channahon was growing. It had a post office, a school, a church, and several stores. The community did well because of the canal. But later, trains became more popular for moving goods and people. This caused the canal to be used less. So, Channahon's population and businesses started to shrink.
The village was first officially formed in 1896. However, it stopped being a village in 1908. This happened after a car fell into the DuPage River because a bridge broke. The village wanted to avoid legal problems. After this, Channahon became mostly a farming community. It grew slowly for many years.
On December 11, 1961, Channahon became an official village again. In the years that followed, Channahon grew very fast. This was because it is close to two big highways, I-80 and I-55. Many industries moved to the area. These include an oil refinery, chemical plants, and a soybean oil factory. There are also large warehouses nearby, like those for Amazon and Walmart. Because of all this industry, Channahon has become a wealthy suburb of Chicago.
Geography and Climate
Location and Size
Channahon covers about 17 square miles (44 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a smaller part is water. Channahon is next to other towns like Minooka, Shorewood, Joliet, Elwood, Wilmington, and Morris.
Weather in Channahon
Channahon has cold winters with a lot of snow. Its summers are hot and humid. It often rains during the summer, which helps cool things down. On average, temperatures range from about 18°F (-8°C) in winter to 84°F (29°C) in summer. Sometimes it can get as cold as -2°F (-19°C) or as hot as 92°F (33°C).
The amount of clouds in Channahon changes throughout the year. It's usually cloudiest from late October to mid-June. December is often the cloudiest month, while August is usually the clearest. Channahon also gets different amounts of rain. The rainiest time of year is from late March to late September. June is usually the month with the most rain.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 261 | — | |
| 1910 | 208 | −20.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,505 | — | |
| 1980 | 3,788 | 151.7% | |
| 1990 | 4,266 | 12.6% | |
| 2000 | 7,344 | 72.2% | |
| 2010 | 12,560 | 71.0% | |
| 2020 | 13,383 | 6.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Channahon had 13,383 people living in 4,342 households. Most of the people living in Channahon are White. About 27.4% of the population is under 18 years old. About 13.4% of the population is 65 years or older.
Fun Things to Do
Historic Places to Visit
The Illinois and Michigan Canal runs through Channahon. You can see the locktender's house at Canal Lock No. 6. This is where the person who operated the lock used to live. You can also see the Dresden Mule Barn. The Briscoe Mounds, which are ancient earth mounds, are also near the Des Plaines River.
Parks and Recreation Areas
The Channahon Park District was created in 1971. It takes care of over 383 acres (155 hectares) of public parks. Here are some places you can visit:
- Channahon State Park: This park is great for fishing and other fun activities near the DuPage River. It also has the Forgotten Warrior Memorial.
- McKinley Woods: This area has over 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of walking trails. It is close to the Des Plaines River.
- Community Park, Central Park, and Arroyo Trails: These are other local parks for everyone to enjoy.
- Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Club: A place for golf lovers.
- Heritage Crossing Field House: This building has two gyms, an indoor track, and a fitness center.
See also
In Spanish: Channahon (Illinois) para niños
