Norris City in White County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Railroads
The Building of a Town
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
1. Railroads Marker
Norris City owes its existence to the railroads that crossed here, the Springfield and Illinois Southeastern was built in 1870 and 1871 and later became the Ohio and Mississippi. The Cairo and Vincennes was built through the town in 1872 and later became the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific or the big four division of the New York Central. Small villages existed in the outlying area of Norris City but when the railroads missed their area, the communities moved to Norris City to be closer to the railroads and other business activities. Due to the crossing of the railroads, the Plat for Norris City was filed on August 17, 1871. The community at the intersection of the railroads did not have a name, so the people of the community got together and named it Norris City after William Norris, the oldest person at the meeting and the man who owned the most land at that time.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is August 17, 1871.
Location. 37° 58.861′ N, 88° 19.721′ W. Marker is in Norris City, Illinois, in White County. It is at the intersection of
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois Little Egypt, in the Tri-State Region, and in the Wabash Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Schools (within shouting distance of this marker); Business (within shouting distance of this marker); Churches (within shouting distance of this marker); Sohio (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Texas Eastern (about 400 feet away); War Emergency Pipeline (approx. 0.7 miles away); The First Presbyterian Church In Illinois
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 9, 2026
2. Railroads Marker
Marker is next to the highway sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
