North Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tornado Memorial

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 31, 2021

1. Tornado Memorial

Inscription. A tornado, with little warning of its violent fury, struck downtown Utica on April 20, 2004. Nine persons perished in its aftermath, with eight of those in the Milestone Tavern. Nine people were rescued. Many homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Valiant rescue and recovery efforts were made by numerous volunteers and public service personnel from here and throughout northern Illinois.

We memorialize those who suffered and died, and give thanks to those who aided in the rescue and recovery efforts.

"Gone but not Forgotten" Wayne “Danky” Ball • Sean Kennedy Brown • Helen Studebaker Mahnke • Michael Jay Miller • Carol Schultheis • Lawrence M. Ventrice • Marian F. Ventrice • Jay Vezain • Beverly J. Wood

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 2004.

Location. 41° 20.496′ N, 89° 0.588′ W. Marker is in North Utica, Illinois, in LaSalle County. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Mill Street, on the right when traveling west on Church Street. Marker is in a plaza dedicated to the tornado victims. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Utica IL 61373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Northern Illinois

and in the Illinois River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Canal Warehouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Aitken School (about 600 feet away); Père Marquette (approx. 0.2 miles away); René Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle (approx. 1.7 miles away); Starved Rock (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Saint Louis (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Illinois (approx. 1.7 miles away); This Plaque is Placed in Memory of the Patriots (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Utica.

Also see . . .
1. The Deadly Utica Tornado: A Retrospective Look. The National Weather Service reviews the deadly twister with maps and photographs. (Submitted on November 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Tornado outbreak of April 20, 2004. The Utica tornado was among 30 that formed that day. It was the only one with fatalities. (Submitted on November 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 31, 2021

2. Tornado Memorial

Featured marker is on the boulder next to the bench.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,078 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.