One of our best local attractions, the Morton Arboretum, probably wouldn’t exist were it not for a natural process that occurred so long ago the amount of time is almost incomprehensible. Even before the dinosaurs lived, the land that is now the upper Midwest was the floor of a large shallow sea.
Periodically the land would shift and that sea would empty. The land that is now Illinois was tilted, and the water just ran off. Lower Michigan, parts of Ohio, and the land that is now under Lake Erie, however, were the basins that caught it and what was left here evaporated.
As this happened over and over, large deposits of salt were laid down, and they’re still there today, under a couple of thousand feet of rock and soil. When the demand for salt increased, especially during the gold rush, mining that salt became a good business.
At first, the mining was crude and dangerous, with mules being lowered down the shafts on ropes to live the rest of their salt encrusted lives in the dark tunnels. Today, the techniques have been mechanized. Most of the rock-mined salt is used on roads where, despite corroding everything from cars to water supply lines, it supposedly makes winter driving a little easier.
In the early 1880s, 25-year-old Joy Morton, whose first name was his mother’s surname, bought into the salt distribution company for which he worked and acquired a number of lake boats to ship the salt west. Within five years he owned the company. Morton Salt was incorporated in 1910.
When he was in his late 60s, Morton set aside part of his estate in Lisle as an arboretum. He came by his interest in trees naturally since his father, Julius Sterling Morton, President Grover Cleveland’s secretary of agriculture, had founded Arbor Day.
My wife and I have been members of the arboretum for many years. Frankly, I liked the place better before it became so popular but that I suppose is the price of success. There are still times when you can avoid the crowds and savor what is one of our area’s most beautiful amenities.
Apparently there are many local residents who are unfamiliar with the arboretum, how it got there and what happens inside. Most folks know you can look at lots of different trees. There are also, however, special events all year long. Ordinarily at this time of year you can rent skis and snowshoes, but that’s obviously not going to work right now.
But they’re still going to have the Husky Heroes sled-pulling demonstrations this weekend, Jan. 28 and 29. The Siberian sled dogs apparently enjoy themselves no matter what, and the sleds can be outfitted with wheels. The kids enjoy meeting the dogs, and families can learn how they can adopt a husky.
Until Feb. 19, model railroad fans can see the Enchanted Railroad run through a miniature landscape. And if your family is into gnome hunting, and what family isn’t, they can try to find all the gnomes hiding in the Children’s Garden, which is open all winter.
Adults who don’t mind spending some money can get tickets for the Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras dinners, and there are five chamber concerts that sell out very quickly. Other upcoming culinary events include an Easter brunch, a Mother’s Day brunch and a wine tasting.
In June there is a craft beer festival, and there’s an Asian festival in August. Scattered throughout the year there are plant shows, photography shows, classes, demonstrations and a real prairie to visit. And you can always get free advice on growing things or bring in a mystery plant for them to identify.
So if you’re not familiar with the Morton Arboretum, check out www.mortonarb.org
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Just remember that, if it weren’t for ancient seas and salt mines, none of it would be there.