Commonly known as the pumpkin capital of the world, the village of Morton sits roughly equidistant between Peoria and Bloomington. Encircled by farmland on all sides, Morton forms a web of suburban streets with retailers on its north end. Community building events and weekend activities are a staple for those living in Morton, as is the easy access to Interstate 74. The community is ideally placed for commuters. “Most of the people living in Morton commute to either Bloomington or Peoria,” says Jared Litwiller, Morton resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker.
Small-town feel and home styles
Houses with neatly manicured yards are evenly laid out along the streets of Morton. Both the sidewalks and roads are wide enough for visibility so that locals can feel safe rounding corners on a quick run. “Morton has a small-town feel. The sidewalks are clean, and there’s new construction going up everywhere,” says Litwiller. The homes themselves have a simple aesthetic of brick and beige vinyl siding. With no frills, most of these are ranch-style, sitting at one story and ranging from about 1,300 to 2,200 square feet. Bungalows with attached garages are also typical for the area. Pricing averages from $150,000 to $300,000.
Two-story, Traditional style homes are newly built and renovated in Morton, IL.
Row of various styles of houses in Morton, IL.
Various styles of housing is available in Morton, IL.
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Good grades for Morton schools and students
Kids in Morton attend Jefferson Elementary, which earns an impressive A from Niche overall. Aside from its student-to-teacher ratio 12-to-1, the school is unique for its Jefferson World Drumming Club, an afterschool activity where kids explore their passion for percussion. Morton Junior High is also A-rated, emphasizing fine arts like junior prelude orchestra and jazz choir programs. Completing the list is Morton High, with an A-minus overall and a variety of athletics from dance to bowling.
Dip into the pool or listen to the bands
There are plenty of parks to explore in Morton. Idlewood Park ingratiates itself into the residential area, featuring a wide-open field and playground for kids. Aside from the usual amenities like swings and basketball courts, this park has its own arts pavilion tucked off to the side. As a live music venue, it hosts musical performances to an audience reclining on the open lawn. The Morton Public Swimming Pool is also attached to this park. In addition to being spacious, the pool has a couple of water slides and sprinkler areas for kids to enjoy.
Idlewood Park is a 14-acre park with a variety of amenities for its visitors.
Enjoy the outdoor amenities during the summer at Morton's Idlewood Park.
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Pumpkin, anyone?
Despite its dense population of some 17,000 residents, the area hosts events akin to that of a much smaller town to foster a sense of community. Since its inception in 1967, the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival has evolved into a fundraiser run by more than 1,500 volunteers to bring dozens of events to life. September brings a plethora of events to the festival, like the Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Art & Craft Market and the Pumpkin Parade. “The Pumpkin Festival and Parade are a huge deal every fall,” says Litwiller. Outside of the Pumpkin Festival, locals have their pick of things going on nearly every weekend for all ages. Parents will appreciate the Family Paint Party, which features a guided paint-along format. This recurring event rotates locations. Young adults can take their partner to the Bourbon and Wine Date Night, hosted at the UFS Downtown Outlet Center, and share conversation over some drinks. For something funny, check out the Ho Ho Homicide, an ugly sweater holiday party gone awry at the Golden Acres Retirement Community. Residents welcome visitors annually for their interactive murder mystery.
Savory options in Morton
For a quick bite, locals can head to Pizza Ranch. This spot serves fresh slices and wings. Seasons is a vegetarian-friendly bar with beer on tap. Head into their dining area for a somewhat rustic atmosphere and notice they serve sushi on the menu. A night out at a sit-down restaurant means Kemp 208, the Main Street Grille. This place offers savory plates like bison tacos and Faroe Island salmon. The village also has the typical grocery names like Walmart and Kroger on its north end, the latter with a pharmacy attached, so refilling prescriptions is a breeze.
Eli's offers a wide selection of coffee beverages, including espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, and blended options.
Eli's is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
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From A to B: reserving a ride
Aside from driving one’s own car from point A to B in Morton, locals can utilize the We Care Inc. transportation. The buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, assisting all in need. Residents need to call 24 hours in advance to reserve a ride to get where they’re going.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
