By Tim Norris –
After 175 years, Spring Bluff Farm is still in the hands of the Norris family. Spring Bluff Farm, purchased by Matthew Norris in 1844, is in Blackberry Township on Norris Road in Kane County. Its name is a reference to the gravel kames left by glaciers thousands of years ago, at the base of which was found a natural spring water seep. Registered in the Kane County Historic Registry, the 1870s the Italianate style farm house is inhabited by the sixth- and seventh-generation descendants of Matthew Norris.
As with all farms in the 1800s, our ancestors had to be self-sufficient. There were many mouths to feed and that meant sustenance farming for the family, hired hands, and livestock. Every farm needs income, so the early Norris individuals produced cash crops of oats, corn, hemp, hay, and livestock.
When Don Norris, fifth generation, returned from World War II, he took over the operation from his father, Warren. Much of the work was still done using horses, but tractors soon took prominence. Don started planting pine trees on some of the eroded fields, leading to a small operation of cut-your-own Christmas trees, something we continue to this day. Don and his wife, Marna, had 10 children. In the early 1970s, they decided to put all of those free hands to good use and started an egg business. With more than 5,000 chickens to take care of, there was no shortage of work.
For many years eggs were delivered to homes in Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. Eggs fell out of fashion some time in the late 1970s, which caused the price to bottom out. It was time for a new endeavor!
The next manifestation of Spring Bluff Farm was as a nursery. In 1979 brothers Tim and Ken Norris created Spring Bluff Norris Nursery. Now managed by Tim, wife Sue, and their son, Henry Norris, seventh generation, they are celebrating both 175 years as a family-run farm and 40 years in business as a nursery. Where once was grown oats and hay, now can be found trees, shrubs, a garden center, and veggie gardens.
From full service landscape design and instillation to a CSA (community supported agriculture) program, our family has continued to diversify and innovate through the generations. We will have a 175-year/40-year open-house celebration June 8. More details will be available soon on the website: springbluffnursery.com.
— Spring Bluff Farm Nursery