Page Contents for Morton, Illinois

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Illinois state capital is Springfield.
The population of Morton is approximately 15,761 (2005), 16267 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 5,482 (1990), 6622 (2010).
The amount of land area in Morton is 31.017 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Morton is 12.2 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.115 sq kilometers.
The distance from Morton to Washington DC is 693 miles.
The distance to the Illinois state capital is 58 miles. (as the crow flies)
Morton is positioned 40.61 degrees north of the equator and 89.46 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Morton elevation is 720 feet above sea level.
Morton median income is $ 53,869 (2000).
The Morton median home price is $ 131,000 (2000).

Location

in central Illinois, at the intersection of I-155 and I-74, about 13 miles from Peoria. Other nearby communities include Tremont, East Peoria, Washington, Mackinaw, Deer Creek, Creve Coeur, Marquette Heights and Germantown Hills.

Morton is located in the Central Time Zone.
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History & History Related Items

Morton was named for Governor Morton of Massachusetts. Many of the early settlers came here from England, Ohio and New York during the 1830s. Later, from about 1860-1875, more Swiss and German settlers made their homes here.

An early business was the Rapp Brick & Tiles Works that began in the late 1870’s. As the company’s products helped provide drainage for the swampy land the soil that was exposed was found to be extremely fertile and helped the area to expand and grow even until today. The company continued even after several disastrous fires, but finally was completely destroyed in 1936. The Rapp Brothers Pottery Works was established early on providing bowls and utensils. The company grew and continues to provide collectible pumpkin pottery pieces through the Morton Pottery Shop. The local high school teams are known as the “Potters,” reflecting the heritage of this company. A canning company was begun during the 1920’s and is now used for pumpkin packing and owned by Nestle/Libby’s. A heavy equipment company, Caterpillar maintains their largest facility in the company in Morton.
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Attractions

The motto for Morton, Pumpkin Capital of the World, comes from the fact that over 85% of the world's pumpkin is canned here each year at the pumpkin processing plant of Nestle Food Company.

The Morton Pumpkin Festival is held annually for four days with events and activities for the entire family.

Here is a good information page for Morton.
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Morton City Government

Village of Morton
120 N. Main Street
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-5361

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Morton Police Department
375 W. Birchwood
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6666

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Morton Township
Board of Trustees
300 W. Jefferson St.
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6445

Morton Chamber

Morton Chamber of Commerce
415 W. Jefferson
Morton IL 61550
Toll-free: (888) 765-6588
Phone: (309) 263-2491

Morton Organizations

Morton Chamber of Commerce
415 W. Jefferson
Morton IL 61550
Toll-free: (888) 765-6588
Phone: (309) 263-2491

Morton Libraries

Morton Public Library
315 W. Pershing
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-263-2200

Morton Schools

Morton Community School District 709
235 E. Jackson
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-263-2581 Morton

Miscellany

The population of Morton was:
1990 - 13,799
2000 - 15,198
2005 - 15,761 (estimate)