Morton in Tazewell County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Town Crier
Photographed by Annie Mathers, September 18, 2026
1. The Town Crier Marker
This bell was located in Morton's original Village Hall located here at 108 W. Jefferson. Built in 1885, the wooden frame Village Hall included Council Chambers, Justice of the Peace office, the jail, and storage for the fire hoses and wagon. At the rear of the building stood a tower where fire hoses were hung to dry. The second floor had a large room for medicine shows, plays, basketball, dances, and, by the 1920s, even movies! The bell was in a cupola on the front of the building. It was known as "The Town Crier" since it was used to alert Village residents of fires and other dangers.
The original building succumbed to termites, and, in 1935, the 50-year-old building was demolished and replaced with a new Village Hall. At a cost of approximately $20,000, the 88' by 52' brick structure included a basement dining room, Council rooms, vault, and second floor auditorium with stage, dressing rooms and seating for 550 persons. The second Village Hall was destroyed by fire in 1967 and not rebuilt.
Erected by the Village of Morton, Morton Community Bank and the Honegger Family.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 40° 36.64′ N, 89° 27.752′ W. Marker is in Morton, Illinois, in Tazewell County. It is on West Jefferson Street west of South Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 S Main St, Morton IL 61550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley and in Greater Peoria. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Illinois Terminal System (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Morton Pottery Co (about 700 feet away); William E. Aupperle Rotary Marker (approx. half a mile away); Allentown Union Hall (approx. 5.2 miles away); Tremont Courthouse
Photographed by Annie Mathers, September 18, 2026
2. The Town Crier Marker
Additional keywords. Town Hall, Civic building,
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2026, by Annie Mathers of Cook County, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2026, by Annie Mathers of Cook County, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
