Capture your little piece of Morton History.  This is a collector coin minted as a part of Morton’s Centennial (100th year) celebration.  Morton’s Centennial was the occasion that sparked the building of Freedom Hall, currently owned and co-located with the Morton Park District.

 

Following is an article in the Tazewell News on Wednesday, August 17, 1977, by Jerry Jensen the then Executive Director of the Morton Chamber of Commerce: 

 

This column is being written Thursday night after two wild days of selling Morton Centennial coins in the Chamber of Commerce office. As you know by now one aspect of the Centennial celebration was the preparation and selling of Centennial coins to serve as reminders of Morton’s first 100 years!  

 

The chamber sponsored a contest to select a design to be used on the Centennial coin and the design submitted by Wayne Baum was selected.  The design with its accompanying explanation made an immediate impression on the selection committee as it now has on the entire Morton community.

 

On the coin Wayne has depicted the various aspects of Morton life and growth which have been such an important part of our past, continue to be vital to us today, and will always serve as the firm and constant base upon which the Morton of the future will be built.  

 

The narrative has been printed in the local newspapers and we hope that all Morton residents, whether you purchase a coin or not, will take the time to read this brief, but moving, account of the growth and development of this community, as seen through the eyes of one of our local businessmen.

 

The coins will serve as treasured. reminders of Morton’s past and, I hope, a reminder to all Morton residents, present and future, of this very special community that we call our

home.

 

As I type this most of the silver coins have been sold, but Wednesday the bronze coins, with the same design, will go on sale at the four financial institutions and at the chamber office. The price of the bronze coin: has been kept as low as possible ($3 per coin) so that all Morton residents young and old, can afford to have a reminder of this 100th anniversary celebration.

 

Mrs. Otto Baum and the Baum family can be proud of the contribution that Wayne has made and we hope that many of you will take the time to express your appreciation to Wayne for making this special Centennial coin available for our use during Morton’s Centennial celebration.