Peoria in Peoria County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pettengill-Morron House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 23, 2019

1. Pettengill-Morron House Marker

Inscription.
built 1868

Given to Peoria Historical Society
1967

Placed on National Register of
Historic sites April 2, 1976

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 40° 41.643′ N, 89° 36.714′ W. Marker is in Peoria, Illinois, in Peoria County. It is at the intersection of West Moss Avenue and West Barker Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Moss Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1212 W Moss Ave, Peoria IL 61606, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Woodward Home (about 300 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Frank Lloyd Wright / The Francis W. Little House (approx. ¼ mile away); Bradley University Home Plate (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bradley University Football (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bradley Homestead (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Washington Carver Community Center (approx. half a mile away); Moss-High Historic District / Bush House (approx. half a mile away); Erastus D. Hardin House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peoria.

Regarding Pettengill-Morron House. Moses and Lucy Pettengill were anti-slavery leaders in Peoria, using their previous home as a stop on the Underground Railroad and once hosting Abraham Lincoln. (Peoria Historical Society)
Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

The gracious mansion, constructed in 1868, was originally built for Moses Pettingill. Now known as the "Morron House" at 1212 West Moss Avenue, its previous address was 464 Moss Avenue. Mr. Pettingill operated a hardware store and came to Peoria from Salisbury, New Hampshire in 1833. When he arrived in Peoria, there were 30 log cabins, 3 frame houses, and a population of 150 people.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 8, 2023

2. Pettengill-Morron House Marker
The original house on the site was constructed in 1862 and was destroyed by fire in 1865.

The Morron House has been a host to six owners and was rented for a period of five years from 1941 to 1945. The last resident, Miss Jean Morron, lived in the house from 1953 till her death in 1966.

Also see . . .
1. Pettengill-Morron House (PDF). National Register nomination with photographs submitted for the site. (National Archives) (Submitted on April 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. "Pettengill-Morron House". YouTube video (5m 3s)
Moses Pettengill came to Peoria in 1833 and became Peoria's first hardware merchant. The 11-room house was built in what was then considered the country. (WTVP, "Illinois Adventures," uploaded March 6, 2014) (Submitted on April 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Pettengill-Morron House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 8, 2023

3. Pettengill-Morron House

It currently is a museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.