United States. Army. Corps of Engineers

A study of the Herendeen Bay area coal seams was ordered by Brigadier General Lloyd E. Jones in 1942. The report was prepared by Lt. Richard H. Yost of the 151st Engineer Regiment. An examination of the area was made in 1943 by Lt. Col. C.W. Jeffers of the Quartermaster Corps and Robert S. Sanford of the Bureau of Mines; the report of their survey was prepared by George O. Gates in 1944.

G.T. Beauregard was born in 1818, near New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from West Point in 1838. During the Mexican War he served as an engineer on the staff of Winfield Scott. Beauregard served as a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Federal government closed canal in 1951. Governor signed acceptance of titles in 1969, following which Corps of Engineers transferred records to Illinois Department of Conservation.

Several surveying expeditions funded by Congress were undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1869 and 1879, for the purpose of gathering data upon which to base a detailed topographic map. The expeditions were directed by Lt. George Montague Wheeler, and covered 359,065 square miles, including area within the states of New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas. In addition to the detailed topographic surveys, initial astronomic or geodetic points were established in Nebraska, Montana, and Washington Territory. These surveys are informally referred to as the Wheeler Survey.

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

Congress authorized construction of Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal in 1887. Canal connected Illinois River south of Hennepin in Putnam County to Rock River near Moline in Rock Island County and from there by way of canal around Rock River's lower rapids at Milan to Mississippi River at city of Rock Island. From Hennepin in Putnam County canal passes through Bureau, Henry and Rock Island Counties with feeder up to Rock Falls on Rock River in Whiteside County. Farmers and other shippers on upper Mississippi had lobbied for this route to Great Lakes shipping lanes.

Illinois River continued to be insufficiently navigable between LaSalle and Lockport. Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected Illinois River to Lake Michigan was too shallow and too narrow to accommodate substantial and economically feasible craft. Further, overland railroads afforded cheaper, faster and more dependable alternatives.

Federal government closed canal in 1951 and announced its intention to abandon it. General Assembly created Illinois-Mississippi Canal and Sinnissippi Lake Commission in 1953 to study feasibility of state's assuming title to canal lands and properties to convert them into recreational area. State did not take possession of canal lands and properties until November 19, 1969, when Governor signed acceptances of titles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records concerning canal subsequently were transferred to Illinois Department of Conservation. State, however, continues to negotiate with federal authorities regarding responsibility for manitaining canal railroad and highway bridges and dams (P.A.36-294, pp.2184-2185).

In 1986, Congress established the Defense Environmental Restoration Program directing the Secretary of Defense to "carry out a program of environmental restoration at facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was assigned the responsibility for formerly-used defense sites, one of which was Boise Barracks in Boise, Idaho.

First occupied by the U.S. Army in 1863, Fort Boise was established to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail. Almost immediately the city of Boise sprang up near the fort, spurred by the discovery of gold in the nearby mountains. That same year Congress created the Idaho Territory, and a year later the booming little town of Boise became its capital. In 1873 a military reservation surrounding the fort was formally set apart from the public domain and the fort was renamed Boise Barracks. Boise Barracks was an active Army post until 1913. In 1919 the principal structures on the post were turned over to the Public Health Service for use as a veterans hospital. The Idaho National Guard also used part of the reservation for military purposes. The Army returned briefly during World War II, but after the war Boise Barracks' military use came to an end. The hospital continued (now the Veterans Administration Medical Center); a Federal Building was constructed on a corner of the site; and much of the reservation was transferred to the city of Boise for use as a park. Throughout its history the U.S. Army and the Idaho National Guard used and stored explosives and ordnance on the site. There were a number of firing ranges on the reservation, including an anti-aircraft firing range during World War II. The purpose of the reports in this collection was to identify the use of ordnance and explosives at Boise Barracks and formulate plans for the removal of potentially dangerous materials (such as unexploded shells) within the bounds of the old reservation and surrounding areas in the Boise foothills.

N.B. The U.S. Army's Fort Boise, adjacent to the city of Boise, should not be confused with another Fort Boise, a non-military fur-trading post operated by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1830s, 40s, and 50s. The Hudson's Bay Company trading post was located on the Boise River many miles downstream from the site of the U.S. Army's Fort Boise/Boise Barracks.

Historical information derived from Archives Search Report, Box 1.

Several surveying expeditions funded by Congress were undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1869 and 1879, for the purpose of gathering data upon which to base a detailed topographic map. The expeditions were directed by Lt. George Montague Wheeler, and covered 359,065 square miles, including area within the states of New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas. In addition to the detailed topographic surveys, initial astronomic or geodetic points were established in Nebraska, Montana, and Washington Territory. These surveys are informally referred to as the Wheeler Survey.

Numerous mountain peaks and geographical areas in the American West are named after Wheeler, including Wheeler Peak in northeast New Mexico, the highest point in the state; and Wheeler Geological Area, formerly Wheeler National Monument, in Colorado. Wheeler himself made annual field trips to Colorado. His trip in 1874 included areas of northern New Mexico but only reaching as far south as Tierra Amarilla.

After the Spanish-American war, during the US occupation of Cuba, Colonel William Murray Black was made the Chief Engineer of the Department of Havana on General William Ludlow’s staff for the Corps of Engineers (on January 2, 1899). In this position, he organized a new Department of Public Works and established sanitary conditions in the city of Havana. Upon the arrival of General Leonard Wood, Black became Chief Engineer of the Island of Cuba. He wrote a code of regulations for the conduct of Public Works, which remained in force until they were incorporated into the laws of the new Cuban Republic. His establishment of public mapping, construction of sewers, paving of streets, construction of wharves, and the protection of the ocean-front established Havana as a viable seaport. [Source: www.spanamwar.com].

These photographs of the Spanish defenses were probably taken after the Spanish-American War (1898 April-August), prior to beginning the public works projects.