The History of Jacksonville An Overview of our

The History of Jacksonville An Overview of our City Created by Mr. Kelly Revised by Mrs. Anderson

Morgan County History n n n Organized January 31, 1823 Seymour and Elisha Kellogg and Charles Collins and their families were the first to settle the area. Cass and Scott Counties were part of Morgan County until 1837 and 1839 respectively

Jacksonville History n n n Platted in 1825 Name is kind of a mystery… in honor of a former President or of a charismatic Baptist minister? Which Andrew Jackson do you think the town was named after? Diamond Grove was a focal point for settlers for its wood source

Illinois College n n n I. C. was founded in 1829 – It is the oldest college in Illinois Rev. John Ellis was the Founder along with the “Yale Band” who came west to establish I. C. They wanted I. C. to be the “Athens of the West”. Beecher Hall - oldest college building in IL. It began as a medical school. Edward Beecher, brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was the first President of I. C. It was an all boys school for many years

Illinois College n n Jonathan Baldwin Turner and Julian Sturtevant were early professors at I. C. IL Gov. Richard Yates, U. S. Senator Edward Spilman, and lawyer William Jennings Bryan earned degrees at I. C. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Abraham Lincoln, and Mark Twain lectured at I. C. Who is pictured on the right?

Mac. Murray College n n n Peter Cartwright -preacher and founder Illinois Conference Female Academy established in 1846 and renamed Illinois Female College in 1863 and the in 1930 it became the Mac. Murray College for Women Mac. Murray College became co-education in 1955, allowing men to enroll.

Women in Jacksonville History n n n The Ladies Education Society (1833), closely connected with I. C. , is believed to be the oldest women’s club in America In 1847, Dorothea Dix was instrumental in establishing a State Hospital in Jacksonville Catherine Kendall (Mother) Carson -- a midwife

Former Jacksonville Businesses n n n J. Capps & Sons Mill was established in 1839 and carded and wove woolens for clothing Andre and Andre Department Store Lane’s Bookstore Cassell’s Cigar Store and Factory Schmalz & Sons Grocery Grand Hotel and Opera House

Jacksonville Transportation n n Cherry’s Livery The Northern Cross was the first railroad in Jacksonville and it connected with the Illinois River in Meredosia Hook’s Trolley System of Downtown and State Street Jacksonville Bus Lines

Lasting Businesses in Jacksonville n n n n Lukeman’s Clothier Walton’s Appliance Farmer’s State Bank The Eli Bridge Co. has manufactured ferris wheels since 1900 J. C. Penney Jacksonville Journal Courier WLDS Radio Passavant Area Hospital

Restaurants of Jacksonville n n n n n Di Silva’s Cafe Winstead’s Drive-In Birdsell’s Drive-In C. R. ’s Drive-In Dairy Queen Lonzerotti’s Dog-N-Suds Drive-In Top’s Big Boy Drive-In Merrigan’s

Current Jacksonville Businesses n n n n Pactiv AC Humko (Kraft) Nestle Eli Bridge Hertzberg Permabound Bound to Stay Bound Passavant Area Hospital ILMO

Current State Institutions in Jacksonville n n n Jacksonville Public Schools Illinois School for the Deaf and Illinois School for the Visually Impaired Jacksonville Developmental Center

Civil War and Jacksonville n n n n General Grierson and Grierson Days General Grant’s Camp Governor Richard Yates (Civil War Governor) Abraham Lincoln Stephen Douglas Sammy Nichols Civil War Memorial

Lawyers in Jacksonville n n Abraham Lincoln sometimes practiced in Morgan County Stephen A. Douglas was the Morgan County State’s Attorney William Jennings Bryan was famous for the “Monkey Trials” about the teaching of Evolution in Schools David A. Smith

Politicians in Jacksonville n n n n Governor Joseph Duncan Governor Richard Yates, Sr. U. S. Senator Edward Spilman Governor Richard Yates, Jr. Stephen A. Douglas Abraham Lincoln William Jennings Bryan State Representative Jim Watson, Paul Findley

Innovators in Jacksonville n n n n Jonathan B. Turner Dr. Vardiman Black Dr. Kenniebrew Samuel Nichols Jacob Strawn Sherwood Eddy Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

Underground Railroad in Jacksonville n n n n Illinois College Jonathan B. Turner Edward Beecher Asa Talcott Porter-Clay Family Woodlawn Farm Benjamin Grierson Congregational Church

Sports Figures of Jacksonville n n n n Ken Norton, Sr. Creston Whitaker Luther “Dummy” Taylor Sherwood Eddy Pops Hildner Andy Kaufmann Jerry Barber Al Rosenburg

Historical Places in Jacksonville n n n n Ayer’s Bank Building Labor Temple Carnegie Library Morgan County Courthouse Strawn Art Gallery The old post office The Rectory State Street Arches

Historical Homes of Jacksonville n n n n n Grierson Home Gillett Home Talcott House Ayer’s House Hook Mansion Thompson House Yates-Rowe House There are too many to list! Look at this picture. Do you see why Jacksonville is sometimes called the “Elm City”?

Historical Homes of Jacksonville n n n n Octagon House Smith House Porter-Clay House Samuel Adam’s House Fayerweather House Routt-Mc. Millan House Peter Cartwright House And so many more!

Events in Jacksonville n n n n Chautaqua Prairieland Heritage Days Morgan County Fair Grierson Days Jacksonville Raceways Cruise Night Theatre Guild

Religion in Jacksonville n n n n n First Presbyterian Church Centenary United Methodist Church Northminster Church Congregational Church Founders of I. C. and Mac. Murray Liberty Church Asbury Church Mt. Emory Baptist 4 Church Corner Just to name a few…

And you thought Jacksonville was boring! Wow! We have a lot to learn about our historic town! This was just the tip of the iceberg!