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 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023
1. Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town Marker
Morris blossomed into an important agricultural center when the I&M Canal opened in 1848. The remains of the historic Coleman Hardware building (now housing the Grundy County Historical Museum) and the nearby Gebhard Brewery are reminders of the many industries that once thrived here. Enjoy a stroll along Morris' historic downtown streets and past its vintage homes.
Do the kids need a break? Combine a tour of history with a hike or bicycle ride along the I&M Canal Trail. Visit the Grundy County Historical Society Museum in the historic Coleman Hardware Building. You can find playgrounds to suit the kids at Gebhard Woods and at Chapin Park.
For more information, stop in at the visitor centers located in the old Rock Island Depot and at Gebhard Woods State Park.
Travel east 6 miles to Aux Sable's aqueduct, lock, and locktender's house. Travel 0.5 miles west to Gebhard Woods State Park and 11 miles to Seneca to view the oldest remaining grain elevator along the canal.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 41° 21.377′ N, 88° 25.42′ W. Marker is in Morris, Illinois, in Grundy County
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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, next to this marker); Morris Downtown Commercial Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Manitowoc Submarines (a few steps from this marker); Grundy County World War I Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Pole (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. Morris, Illinois. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The History of the I&M Canal. I&M Canal website entry:
Excerpt:
The I&M Canal remained open for traffic for 85 years; however, in the 1890s, traffic declined dramatically. While locomotives had been nipping at the heels of the canal for decades (though the canal can be(Submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)credited for forcing the railroad companies to keep their rates low, another canal benefit), it was the opening of the larger and more modern Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 1900 that spelled the end for the I&M Canal.Courtesy Tom Willcockson2. Marker detail: Morris Map
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023
3. Welcome to Morris a Historic I&M Canal town Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2023
4. Illinois & Michigan Canal & Trail
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 76 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
