Lockport in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

George Gaylord

Local Merchant

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

1. George Gaylord Marker

Inscription.
I ran a successful business in Lockport, but no one was more prosperous than Hiram Norton. Over several decades, he capitalized on the canal's potential, negotiated exclusive rights to the water power, and expanded his milling operations.

To Abraham Lincoln
I warehoused goods in part of the building, and ran a general store in the three-story section, built in 1859. In Lockport, people bought flour, salt, and eggs, but also luxury goods, including fancy hats, ribbons, and candy.

To William Schuler
In 1878, I moved my dry goods store and grain business from State Street to the Public Landing. The canal and the railroad operated on each side of the building. The 1870s and 1880s were a profitable time on the I&M Canal. (Marker Number 12.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 41° 35.439′ N, 88° 3.476′ W. Marker is in Lockport, Illinois, in Will County. It can be reached from West 8th Street. Marker is part of the I&M Canal Plaza at the Gaylord Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West 8th Street, Lockport IL 60441, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Schuler (a few steps from this marker); "Whittling Their Time Away" (a few steps from this marker); Abraham Lincoln and Lockport (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaylord Donnelly Canal Trail Mile Marker 29.1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois & Michigan Canal Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockport City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Lockport (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lockport.

Also see . . .
1. Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area. Heritage Area website homepage (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tourism website entry (Submitted on August 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. The Gaylord Building Historic Site, Lockport IL. Building website homepage (Submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

2. George Gaylord Marker

Looking east toward 8th Street. Plaza was under reconstruction.

The Gaylord Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2016

3. The Gaylord Building

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.