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Morris History |
Transportation |
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The I&M Canal was one of Morris' greatest assets in its early growing years. Grants from the government began construction in 1836, and the 96-mile length took twelve years to complete. Beginning in Chicago and ending in LaSalle, it was the first link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Immediately, grain prices tripled in value as this became the primary mode of transportation for farmers. Five years later, the influence of the canal was replaced by the train and Morris grew to the north near the tracks. The last boat passed through in 1914. |
| The great bison herds were the first to cut paths known as "buffalo traces" through the tall grass of the plains. Indians followed these trails which were later used by covered wagons and stagecoach routes. Old Stage Road on the west side of Morris, built in the 1830's, follows one of these buffalo traces. Early road construction was extremely slow due to the rich, deep topsoil. Gravel was first used in Morris to secure the muddiest areas, then bricks in 1904, and finally asphalt in 1948. |
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On January 5, 1853, the first steam train pulled into the depot in Morris, an event the whole town came to witness. The Chicago-Rock Island Railraod soon became the most economical transportation for coal, grain, and passengers and eventually caused the demise of the I&M Canal. Top speeds at that time were only 5 mph, and derailments happened often since the trains weren't built with a braking system - the inventors were too concerned with making them run! The locomotives were stopped by laying huge objects, such as tree logs, in their path before the braking system was finally installed in later models. |
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The Chicago, Ottawa, and Peoria Electric Railway came to Morris in 1910 and a line was installed in 1913 down Liberty Street. The cost to ride in town was 5 cents. Passengers and freight could ride as far away as Chicago. State highways brought an end to the Interurban and operations ceased in 1934. The old Morris depot built in 1911 can still be seen on the southeast corner of Benton and Liberty Street. |
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City of Morris • 320 Wauponsee Street • Morris, IL 60450 • (815) 942-0103
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