Lockport in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Norton Building
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2019
1. The Norton Building Marker
Built in the 1850s, shortly after the opening of the I & M Canal, the Norton Building contained a grain warehouse and a grocery for farmers and citizens of Lockport, and a canal supplies store for boat crews. It also served as a crew dormitory.
During the 50-year heyday of the I & M Canal, Hiram Norton and Company helped establish Lockport as an important grain processing center, and became the town's major employer.
A footbridge, pictured, once crossed the Canal at this point. The small stone building, standing, to the left, was formerly a grain weigh station.
The waters of the I & M Canal came up to the edge of the Norton Building originally, as evidenced by the large rings on the wall which were used to tie up canal boats. While the Canal has been filled and narrowed since, and existing section of the stone facing can still be seen on the opposite side.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Illinois & Michigan Canal series list.
Location. 41° 35.305′ N, 88° 3.564′ W. Marker is in Lockport, Illinois, in Will County. It is on West 10th Street near South State
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. 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 walking distance of this marker: Historic Lockport (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hydraulic Basin (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln and Lockport (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abraham Lincoln (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Schuler (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Gaylord (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Whittling Their Time Away" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Illinois & Michigan Canal Office (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockport.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail, aka Gaylord Donnely Trail. The street manes are only a general reference.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2019
2. The Norton Building and Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 9, 2019
3. The Norton Building
Photographed by Illinois State Museum, circa 1873
4. The Norton Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,122 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
