Benton Harbor in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Morton House

Photographed By Dennis Allen Burlingham, May 22, 2010

1. The Morton House Marker

Inscription. This house built in 1849, by Eleazar Morton and his son Henry, was occupied until 1936 by four generations of Mortons. The oak-framed barn was built in 1840. Members of the Morton family, pioneers in this area, were prominent in Benton Harbor's early development. The porch on the house was often called the "Indian Hotel" because Henry Morton allowed the Potawatami Indians to sleep here on their way to St. Joseph to sell their baskets. J. Stanley Morton, President of the Graham Morton Transportation Company, modernized the house and added the pillars in 1912. He left his home to the Benton Harbor Federation of Women's Clubs in recognition of it's civic work.

Erected 1964 by Benton Harbor Federation of Women's Clubs. (Marker Number L37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 42° 7.132′ N, 86° 26.812′ W. Marker is in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in Berrien County. Marker is on Territorial Road, 0.1 miles east of Paw Paw Ave., on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

is at or near this postal address: 501 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor MI 49022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Morton Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Israelite House of David / Mary's City of David (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Historic District of Mary's City of David (approx. 1.1 miles away); Boatbuilding Industry (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Fruit Belt (approx. 1.8 miles away); Benton Harbor Fruit Market (approx. 1.8 miles away); St. Joseph Maritime Heritage (approx. 1.8 miles away); Shipbuilding in the Twin Cities (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benton Harbor.

More about this marker. The recently abolished Michigan Historical Commission registered the site and it's name appears at the bottom of the marker.

The Morton House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dennis Allen Burlingham, May 22, 2010

2. The Morton House

The Morton House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Garman, August 7, 2021

3. The Morton House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2011, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. This page has been viewed 915 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2011, by Dennis Allen Burlingham of Hartford, Michigan, USA. 3. submitted on October 17, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.