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27 West 430 North Avenue, West Chicago, IL

On a warm clear day in August, 1994 I first set eyes on what would soon become my home for the next 10 1/2 years; Morton Manor. Built by Mark Morton of the Morton Salt Company in 1931, it was once known as one of the greatest showplaces in the county.

In September of 1994 I took over as caretaker of Morton Manor, a position I thought would only last a few years. I had no idea what was in store for me or how the estate would come to mean more to me than I could have imagined.

Here I hope to share the many memories and images of Morton Manor and the 100 or so acres that surrounded it. I'm still very sad that it is gone forever, but hopefully I can show others what a special place it really was.

My experience stretches 10 years up until March of 2005 when I moved back to Massachusetts. At that time the Manor was already being dismantled and today, to my knowledge there is nothing left.

* A note about the posting dates of this blog. You may notice the dates are in reverse. This is the only way I could figure to have my blog read like a book so the posts make sense. If anyone out there knows of a better way please let me know:)

My First Encounter

I looked back over my journal entries and found that I actually started working at Morton Manor in early August 1994. It was some time during that summer that I saw the property for the first time.

I was also working for Wheaton Park District at Cosley Animal Farm at that time. A girl I worked with, named Dallas had been working part time at Morton Manor for a while and was telling us all about all the exotic animals up there. One day she came to me and said she was moving to California and asked if I would take over for her at the estate, looking after the animals. It was perfect timing. I had just been passed up for being promoted to full time at Cosley and was ready for a new opportunity.

I'll never forget the first time I went there. Driving up County Farm Road, turning left at North Avenue and right on Morton Road. Turning in the driveway I saw a what looked more like a narrow road that stretched straight ahead a good distance. There was a 7 foot high chain link fence that surrounded the 100+ acres and a large automatic gate kept out curoius folks. On the key pad type: *1876 and the gate would open.

The Manor rose high and stately in red brick. It was solid and strong and even though you could see from the outside that it wasn't that large, once you stepped inside you were lost. Beyond the walls of the manor stretched lawns, gardens and a variety of different trees and shrubs. Then they were all over grown, but it was easy to imagine what it would have looked like when it was well kept.

No one lived in the Manor, but there were two other houses and a cottage on the property that were occupied. This place was in the middle of a busy and fast growing Chicago suburb. Driving onto that estate was like entering another world.

I was thrilled to be able to work there in what would soon become a full time job. I had no idea what I was getting in to.

Starting out

There are so many memories I have of the 10 years living and working at Morton. I plan on trying to share the more interesting ones and those that mean a lot to me. There are many fond memories and probably just as many painful ones. I'll try to focus on the good ones, but it wouldn't be fair not to mention the tough times too. I will try to work through my stories in chronological order, but I know I will probably move around a bit in time.

I realize as it stands now, not too many people are reading this. I don't know how to get my blog out to the world, but if you happen upon it and find it interesting, feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions or suggestions.

I remember vividly going to the job interview to see if the owner of the property, Joe, would hire me. It was pretty much a fomality since Dallas had reccomended me for the job. His office was down on Nappervile Road not far from Danada in Wheaton, Illinois. I walked into his office, sat down and he asked me, "Can you check the fences and make sure no animals get out?"

"Umm, yeah." I said. I was hired.

When I first started working there I was still working for Cosley Animal Farm. I would drive up after work and feed and water all the animals. I think I must have gone in in the mornings too, but I can't remember exactly. What I do remember is talking Joe into letting me and my two roomates move into the Manor. Well, the apartment above the garage to be exact. Not too glamorous, but it had it's charms.

Not too long afer that I asked Joe if I could work full time up there. His reply says a lot about his mentality about the place. He said, "Do you think there is 40 hours worth of work up here?"

There were three out buildings, multiple automatic gates, three ponds, over 100 animals, at least 100 acres, a good deal of it lawns. I was pretty sure I could keep busy.