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

Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town

I&M Canal National Heritage Area

— I&M Canal Passage —

Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023

1. Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town Marker

Inscription.
Canal commissioners were charged with platting towns to develop commerce along the canal. In 1841, the state's largest county — LaSalle County (to the west) was split with the eastern section becoming Grundy County. The location of the new county seat was debated. William Armstrong advocated locating the town adjacent to his property. Canal commissioner, Isaac N. Morris resolved the conflict about the location and the grateful citizens of Grundy County named the town after him. Morris was platted in 1842. Other towns platted by the canal commissioners are Chicago, Ottawa, LaSalle, and Lockport.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 41° 21.377′ N, 88° 25.423′ W. Marker is in Morris, Illinois, in Grundy County. Marker is at the intersection of West Illinois Avenue and Liberty Street, on the right when traveling east on West Illinois Avenue. The marker is located in Canalpark Plaza, near the former Illinois and Michigan Canal. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morris IL 60450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elsie Armstrong (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town (here,

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next to this marker); Morris Downtown Commercial Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Manitowoc Submarines (a few steps from this marker); Indian Pole (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grundy County World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away); The County Seat of Grundy County (about 300 feet away); Grundy County Civil War Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morris.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. History of Morris Illinois. Excerpt:

In 1842, the matter of having Morris selected for tile permanent county seat was again taken up, but dissention was had over the exact location. At last, Section 9, was agreed upon, and after several names were suggested, that of Morris was adopted, in honor of Hon. Isaac N. Morris. Later, the county commissioners tried to change the name to Xenia, but as they could not agree upon how it should be spelled, did not effect their purpose.

(Submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Grundy County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Morris Area Public Library

2. Marker detail: Grundy County Courthouse

Grundy County Courthouse has changed over the years. It reflects Morris’ transformation from a frontier settlement to an industrial town, and finally a modern community.

2. The History of the I&M Canal. Excerpt:

By connecting the waters of the Illinois River with those of Lake Michigan, the Illinois & Michigan Canal (which is named for these two bodies of water) made possible a vast all-water route that connected the East, South and Northwest (note that at this time Illinois was considered “Northwest”). The canal stretched from Chicago to LaSalle. Travelers from the eastern United States could take the Hudson to Albany and then the Erie Canal to Buffalo, where steamboats brought them through the Great Lakes to Chicago and then canal boats brought them along the I&M Canal to LaSalle/Peru. Here people boarded river steamers bound for St. Louis and New Orleans.

(Submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023

3. Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town Marker

(looking northwest from Canalpark Plaza • West Illinois Avenue in background)

Grundy County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023

4. Grundy County Courthouse

(located one block north of marker)

Illinois & Michigan Canal & Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023

5. Illinois & Michigan Canal & Trail

(looking west from footbridge just south of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.