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

Montgomery and the Fox River: A Shared History

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 26, 2025

1. Montgomery and the Fox River: A Shared History Marker

Inscription. In the 1840's, Montgomery's founder Daniel S. Gray dug a mill race that went through the center of what is now Montgomery Park. He then built a dam across the river south of Taylor Street using stone that had been excavated. In those early days of powered machinery, water was the primary source of power, and as soon as the dam and mill race were finished, Gray used remaining excavated stone to build a machine shop/foundry and a header and reaper factory on the mill race north of the bridge.

The 5-story stone flouring mill was built in 1853 on the same mill race that was extended further south, and by 1860 the Palmer brothers built a blind and sash factory near the dam. The three mills north of the bridge and the large flour mill south of the bridge were the industrial focus of the community for many decades.

By the turn of the century waterpower was being replaced by electricity, and the mills north of the bridge were abandoned and fell into disrepair. Daniel Gray's old reaper factory burned in the 1890's.

In the 1930's the remnants of the old mills were dismantled and the stones were used to build a retaining wall along

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the river as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. A water turbine salvaged from one of the mills was mounted here as a monument to Montgomery's early industrial past. The mill race was also filled in, but over time it has settled and the outline of where the mill race once ran is still visible in the depressed area through the center of Montgomery Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 41° 43.788′ N, 88° 20.351′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on Mill Street near River Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is on the southern edge of Montgomery Park, not far from the Mill Street crossing over the Fox River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montgomery IL 60538, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 26, 2025

2. Montgomery and the Fox River: A Shared History Marker

A water turbine that was used by the mill at this site has been erected between the marker and the Fox River.

also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Gray-Watkins Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgomery Veterans Memorial / Service Above Self (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Memorial (about 600 feet away); V.F.W. Montgomery Memorial Post 7452 (about 600 feet away); Settler's Cottage (about 600 feet away); Samuel Bedrosian, PhD (approx. 1.4 miles away); Glacial Boulder from Mendota College (approx. 1.8 miles away); Remember Oklahoma City (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Also see . . . History of Montgomery. From the Village of Montgomery (Submitted on April 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 26, 2025

3. Montgomery and the Fox River: A Shared History Marker

The 1853 Gray-Watkins Mill, referenced on this marker, can be seen across Mill Street. The Fox River is along the left side of the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.