The Village of Mt. Morris is home to the Official Illinois Freedom Bell.

Originally dedicated by Ronald Reagan in 1963, the bell was later recast as a replica of the Liberty Bell and, in 1971, declared the Official Freedom Bell by the State of Illinois.

The bell is housed on the square in downtown Mt. Morris and plays a role in the annual Let Freedom Ring festival, which brings thousands of visitors to Mt. Morris each Independence Day.

In addition to its outdoor festivals, band concerts and parks with lighted tennis courts and baseball diamonds, Mt. Morris lies in easy reach of three state parks and the scenic Rock River, providing countless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The area was first settled in 1837 and the Village incorporated in 1848. The Village’s present reputation as a printing and publishing center was established early, with the first printing plant opening its doors in 1842.

Twin brothers Harvey and Harry Kable became involved in the local printing industry in 1898, and one of the companies they founded—Kable News Company--remains one of the largest magazine circulators in the world today.

Four of the five largest employers in the Village today are printing and publishing companies. Mt. Morris, with a population of approximately 3,000, sends forth books and magazines across the United States and throughout the world.

Despite its small-town charm, Mt. Morris offers many amenities. The Village is home to a branch of the University of Illinois Medical Center, making top-quality medical care available.

Residents of Mt. Morris also have access to the Village library, a golf course, a community gymnasium, Community Theater, and more. A small airport on the outskirts of town accommodates small crafts and offers flight instruction.

1837:

The first settlers arrive in Mount Morris.

The first printing plant is established in Mt. Morris, beginning an industry that defines the area yet today.

The Village of Mt. Morris is incorporated.

Rock River Seminary became Mt. Morris College.

The Brethren Home for the Aged is founded in Mt. Morris. Today, the Brethren Home is known as Pinecrest Community and includes a nursing home, an Alzheimer’s care unit, and 57 independent living apartments and cottages.

The Kable brothers first become involved in the local printing industry.

Kable News Company, an subsidiary of the Kable Brothers Company which handled newsstand distribution of magazines, was established. The Kable News Company is a worldwide distributor today, and still operates in Mt. Morris.

Mt. Morris college is closed as the result of a devastating fire. However, some of the college buildings still stand in the Village square.

Ronald Reagan dedicates the original bell on the Village square.

The bell on the Village square is replaced with a replica of the liberty bell.

The State of Illinois declares the bell the “Official Illinois Freedom Bell.”

Steven Mongan is the Mt. Morris Village President. The Village Board is made up of six trustees (Leo Marshall, Jon Murray, Tim Harvey, Ronald Lessen, Mark Lawler, and William Alden), the Village Clerk (Sandra Blake) and the Village Treasurer (Bruce True).

The Mt. Morris Planning Commission makes recommendations to the President and Board of Trustees regarding Village development. Current Planning Commission members are: Harold Wright (Chair), Brian Buzard, Diane Thompson, Dave Saunders, Carolyn Hackbarth, and Jerry Macklin.

Village of Mount Morris
105 W. Lincoln
Mt. Morris, IL 61054
815-734-6425
Fax: 815-734-7324

Mt. Morris's Website

Jefferson Elementary School
1100 Jefferson Street
Oregon, Illinois 61061

Entyre Middle School
1200 Jefferson Street
Oregon, Illinois 61061

Blackhawk Junior High School
105 West Brayton Road
Mount Morris, Illinois 61054

Oregon High School
210 South 10th Street
Oregon, Illinois 61061

For Additional Information, visit:

www.ocusd.net

The Mount Morris Police Department is led by Chief Jason White and governed by a three member Police Commission.

In addition to the Chief, the Mount Morris Police Department has three patrolmen and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

After hours calls are dispatched by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.

Police Chief:
Jason White

Police Commission:
Paul Anderson
Corey Buck
Mickey Tate

Patrolmen:
Chad Beitel
Eric Palmer
Tim Vandesand

Mount Morris Police Department
105 W. Lincoln
Mt. Morris, IL 61054

Emergency - 911
Non-Emergency 815.734.4132

Police Department

The Mt. Morris Fire Protection District and Ambulance Service covers a 45 square-mile area, and also provides certified paramedics.

Fire Department Chief:
Rob Houghand

Ambulance Chief:
Amy Palmer

Mount Morris Fire Protection District
and Ambulance Service
15 E. Center
Mt. Morris, IL 61054

Emergency - 911
Non-Emergency 815.734.4322

www.MountMorrisFire.com