Carl Sandburg Village, 1355 N Sandburg Terrace, Chicago, Promoted Social Changes.

The History of Carl Sandburg Village

Carl Sandburg Village was built as an urban renewal project—intended to spur redevelopment of the diminishing near north side from its dilapidation. Sandburg Village emerged from the post-World War II urban renewal era in American cities. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Chicago's Near North Side, particularly the Old Town neighborhood, faced concerns about aging infrastructure and potential encroachment from nearby low-income communities. City planners, seeking to revitalize Old Town and shield the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood, envisioned a large-scale renewal project. This led to Carl Sandburg Village, named after the celebrated poet, intended as a mixed-income housing development. Its creation, however, came at the cost of displacing a vibrant Puerto Rican community.

Carl Sandburg Village Arial Photo.

The architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed Sandburg Village in a modernist style, emphasizing clean lines and functional spaces. The complex includes towering residential high-rises, clusters of townhomes, and a centralized commercial district, aiming to create a self-contained community within Chicago's urban fabric.

The construction of Carl Sandburg Village had a profound impact. The displacement of Puerto Rican residents sparked controversy and ignited a debate about social justice and the priorities of urban renewal. These residents primarily relocated north to Lincoln Park and west to Humboldt Park.

Carl Sandburg Village Sales Model.

This displacement fueled significant social and political changes. The Young Lords Organization, previously a street gang, emerged from this displaced community. They transformed into a powerful human rights movement dedicated to Puerto Rican empowerment and opposing the urban renewal practices that had uprooted them in 1968.

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The ranks of the new Young Lords included former gang members, community residents, and activists. The Young Lords actively created change while serving poor and destressed communities. They notably utilized a church to offer basic services—such as health care, daycare, and lunch programs—to Black and Latino people. By 1969, Jiménez and the Young Lords had joined with Fred Hampton, leader of the Chicago Black Panthers, and other ethnically diverse groups to form the Rainbow Coalition. 

Carl Sandburg Village shifted from its initial affordable housing model to condominium ownership. While still somewhat affordable within the Gold Coast context, continued gentrification trends in Chicago have impacted the Village, influencing demographics and affordability in 1979.

Sandburg Village Today.

Despite its complex history, Sandburg Village retains a distinct appeal. Its green spaces, swimming pools, tennis courts, and prime location attract residents. The Village embodies a blend of the past and present – mid-century urban planning intersected with contemporary urban living trends and evolving neighborhood identities. Its walkability to grocery stores, nightlife, the lakefront, Lincoln Park, and Old Town's attractions adds to its appeal with 

charming experiences of unique boutiques, bistros, restaurants, entertainment like the Second City Comedy Club, Live Music Venues at bars and pubs, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, historic homes on picturesque streets, and the long-running Old Town Art Fair, founded in 1950.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

The History of Prince Castle Ice Cream Shops (1931-1954) and Cock Robin, (1954-2008).

Prince Castle

A boy points to a billboard touting the One In A Million milkshakes sold at the Price Castle ice cream shop in Naperville, which later became Cock Robin.

Quite a bit of ice cream was once produced in Naperville and enjoyed at the Prince Castle/Cock Robin shops found in Chicago-area communities.

Childhood friends Walter Fredenhagen and Earl Prince formed a partnership more than 90 years ago when they decided to try their hand at selling ice cream directly to customers rather than selling what they produced to other shops.

Each had experience in the business. Fredenhagen — a Downers Grove native with a law degree from Northwestern University — owned an ice cream plant called Frozen Gold in Naperville. Castle’s ice cream plant was in Rushville.

1931, the pair joined forces to open a Prince Castle ice cream store chain. Naperville was the first, followed by Downers Grove, LaGrange, Glen Ellyn, and Elmhurst locations.

Four employees of the first Prince Castle ice cream shop in Naperville, (Left to Right) Jo (Pickell) Weymouth, Elaine (Auner) Schum, Lois Johnson, “Vange” (Whitehead) Gieske, eating cones in front of the Washington Street business in 1931. The photo was provided to the Chicago Tribune in 1999 by Rita Harvard, daughter of Walter Fredenhagen, who co-founded the ice cream store chain.

As befitted the name, the design of the shops made them look like small castles, and with a nod to the changing modes of transportation, each had a parking lot.

The partners then formed two separate chains using the same name. Prince’s operations were south of Chicago, while Fredenhagen’s shops were north and west of the city.

Walter’s wife, Grace, oversaw the selection and training of managers and had supervisory responsibilities.

With ice cream being a seasonal food, they added hamburgers and fries to the menu in the 1940s.

Ice cream was produced at a factory at 38 W. Chicago Avenue in Naperville using cream delivered by tanker trucks from dairy farms in Wisconsin. The sauces for sundaes were made with fresh fruit and shipped from Washington state.

The meat processing plant making the company’s “Castleburgers” was located in Naperville at 36 East Fifth Avenue.

Innovations included ice cream cabinets, square ice cream containers, and square-shaped ice cream scoops. The partners invented and patented the Multi-Mixer device, the first used to make malted milkshakes, powered by a one-third horsepower motor.

The square-shaped ice cream scoops were used by Prince Castle and later Cock Robin. The top of the cones were square to snugly hold a scoop of square ice cream. The double scoop cone was a side-by-side square shape.

It produced the “One In A Million” malted milkshake, which they made with a patented formula so thick that its claim to fame was it nearly clogged the straw.

Ray Kroc, who would go on to found McDonald’s, once sold Multi-Mixers out of the Prince Castle’s sales division in Chicago. Fredenhagen and Prince trained Kroc in the business.

At its height, there were more than 20 Prince Castle ice cream shops around the Chicago area. The company sold more than one million gallons of ice cream each year, and there were recipes for 100 flavors.

For a while, the company was the second-largest employer in Naperville.

The partnership between Fredenhagen and Prince came to an end in 1954. Fredenhagen changed the name of his shops to Cock Robin in 1955, creating the motto: “Cock Robin: Where Memories are Made.”

Eventually, the castle style of Fredenhagen’s shops gave way to a more modern look. The makeover of the Naperville store on Washington Street took place in 1967.

In 1980, there was a shift in the Cock Robin business model. Store managers became dealers, leasing their stores and buying their products from the company.

Fredenhagen retired in 1985 after he sold the ice cream business to Petersen Ice Cream.

The last of three Naperville stores closed on Washington Street in 2000. Walter Fredenhagen’s children, Ted Fredenhagen and Rita Harvard sold the land on which it sat to the city for $10 with one proviso to be used as part of the Riverwalk. Fredenhagen Park was dedicated in May 2004.

As for Naperville’s signature Cock Robin sign — the one featuring a robin dressed in a top hat and tuxedo — it can be seen on a wall in the beer garden of Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Avenue , just west of the former Cock Robin location.

COCK ROBIN

Skokie Boulevard, a couple of blocks north of Oakton Street, Skokie, IL.
This was my local Cock Robin Store. 

For a long time mentioning Cock Robin ice cream brings back days when ice cream cones cost 12¢ and lines wound out the door and around the building on hot summer nights.

After a date at the movies, a couple would go to Prince Castle and buy a pint of ice cream with two spoons or the signature One in a Million, the first thick shake of its kind. “We would take our dates down to the theater and have a sundae or soda after that, and then walk up to the girls dorms before their 10 o’clock curfew,” said Jack Koten, 70, of Barrington, who was a student at Naperville’s North Central College in the late 1940s.

After nearly 70 years of serving square-dipped ice creams and malted milkshakes, Naperville’s Cock Robin, home of the original Prince Castle store and ice cream factory, closed its doors.

In a deal struck with the city, the land where the Cock Robin store and the original creamery stand were gifted to the City of Naperville in October 2000.

The store and creamery will be razed and replaced with Fredenhagen Park on the 1-acre site along Washington Street just north of the Riverwalk.

A visitors center, with an area recalling the history of Cock Robin, is proposed for the site.

Nearly everyone who grew up in Naperville, it seems, remembers going to Prince Castle and later Cock Robin.

“My cousin lived right next door on Ellsworth Street. In the summertime at night, we would walk down Washington Street to get ice cream,” said Ruth Hageman, 70, a life-long resident of Naperville who was a waitress at Prince Castle as a teenager and young adult.

“You had regular customers, and you almost knew what they were going to order,” Hageman said.

Koten said that three or four times a week, he walked down the hill from the college with his roommate to get a pint or quart of ice cream as a late-night study break.

“I had never gone to an ice cream place with so many different flavors,” Koten said. “A pint or quart was in a square box. It was just sort of a novelty. We could have a different flavor every night for a month.”

The ice cream was made from scratch in the brick creamery behind the store for years. In addition to the standards, there would be cinnamon- or pumpkin-flavored concoctions, depending on the season, said Rita Harvard, 70, daughter of the store’s founders, Walter and Grace Fredenhagen.

In the late 1920s, Walter Fredenhagen teamed with a boyhood friend, Earl Prince, with an idea to manufacture ice cream.

“It was rather innovative,” Harvard said. “In those days, no one manufactured the ice cream and then sold it.”

Both opened 25 stores in the Chicago area and shared the limestone castle design of the shops and the ice cream formulas. Fredenhagen’s first Prince Castle store opened in Naperville in 1931.

Everything was homemade. Fredenhagen opened a dairy nearby to pasteurize the milk for the ice cream. Chocolate was bought from Holland to make the hot fudge, and Harvard said that Fredenhagen’s daughter Jeanne Moen ran a strawberry farm in Seattle and shipped the fruit to Naperville for the ice cream and toppings.

Fredenhagen bought a factory in Downers Grove to efficiently construct square ice cream cans that fit snugly in the store’s display cases.

When the partnership with the Prince family split during the 1950s, Fredenhagen renamed his stores Cock Robin and his son Ted took over the business. Over time, the family stopped making their own ice cream.

The last Cock Robin store was in Brookfield and closed in 2008

After Fredenhagen died in 1993, the family left the ice cream business. The remaining Cock Robin stores–in Brookfield, Melrose Park, River Grove, and Wheaton–were sold over the last decade.

CLICK TO READ THE 1852 STORY.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

The Greek Settlement of Chicago in the 1840s and Beyond.

The Chicago Greeks showed unwavering determination, resilience, and a passionate love for their heritage. From the humble beginnings of those early mariners to the vibrant presence of today's Greektown, their tale enriches the mosaic of Chicago's history.

The Pioneering Years (1840s–1871)

The story begins amidst the bustling maritime trade routes of the 1840s. Hardy Greek sailors, drawn by the promise of Chicago and the Great Lakes, navigated the mighty Mississippi River, leaving New Orleans behind to get to Chicago. Reaching the headwaters of the Illinois River and then its tributary, the Des Plaines River, these intrepid adventurers faced the critical portage. The area around present-day Chicago offered the shortest and most manageable overland route, a testament to the region's strategic importance. After their portage, the Chicago River leads to Lake Michigan. Many of these immigrants sought a better life and their fortunes in commerce, thus laying the groundwork for future waves of migration.

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This arduous journey highlights why completing the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848 transformed regional transportation. The canal eliminated the need for the portage, making the trip from the Mississippi to Chicago significantly faster and more efficient. These seafaring pioneers, with hearts as vast as the Great Lakes, laid the foundation for a vibrant Greek legacy to take root in the heart of America. Some of these immigrants sought their fortunes in commerce, laying the groundwork for a future wave of migration.

The Great Chicago Fire and Building a Community (1871–Turn of the Century)

The cataclysmic fires in October 1871, the October 7 "Saturday Night Fire," struck Chicago in the evening, then came the October 8 Great Chicago Fire, devastating Chicago's business district. 

These fires ravaged Chicago, but they also became a catalyst for a surge in Greek immigration. News of Chicago's rebuilding efforts spread worldwide, attracting Greeks seeking opportunities in a city rising from the ashes. 

Greektown's founding father was Christ Chakonas, born in Sparta (modern-day Sparta is located in Laconia, Greece) and arrived in Chicago shortly after the Great Fire of 1871. Seeing opportunity in its ashes, he returned to his hometown and brought over relatives and neighbors, according to the late DePaul University professor Andrew T. Kopan. For that, Chakonas is remembered as the "Columbus of Sparta."

Chain migration, fueled by tales of success and family reunification, spurred the arrival of significant numbers of Greeks, primarily young men driven to build a new life.

These new Chicagoans initially congregated around the city's vibrant commercial districts. However, by 1882, the Greek settlement of Chicago was a thriving community numbering nearly 1,000 people near Clark and Kinzie Streets on the Near North Side.

From there, the settlement moved to the Greek Delta. The triangle formed by Halsted, Harrison, and Blue Island Streets became known as the "Greek Delta," a triangular letter of the Greek alphabet. It was a bustling hub where echoes of Greece mingled with the energy of Chicago.

Flourishing Institutions and Traditions

Within this budding Greek Delta, the foundations of community life took shape. The first Greek Orthodox Church in the Midwest, Holy Trinity, was established in 1897, providing a spiritual anchor. Alongside the church emerged businesses catering to their Greek clientele – coffeehouses, restaurants, and grocery stores stocked with flavors from their homeland.

The Greek Delta teemed with life. The scents of roasting lamb and the spirited sounds of Greek music filled the air. Coffeehouses buzzed with discussions about news from back home and dreams for the future. Greek schools, created to preserve language and culture for the next generation, sprung up. Organizations and societies flourished, fostering a sense of unity and providing vital support.

The Evolution of Greektown

As the Greek community expanded – reaching nearly 30,000 strong by 1930 – the Greek Delta became lovingly known as "Greektown." It remained the nucleus of Greek-American life in Chicago for decades. Here, traditions were nurtured, businesses thrived, and a vibrant cultural landscape was woven into the city's fabric.

Urban Renewal and the Modern Greektown (1960s–Present)

The 1960s brought a period of upheaval for Greektown. The construction of the Eisenhower Expressway and the University of Illinois at Chicago encroached upon the heart of the neighborhood, displacing longtime residents and businesses. Yet, the Greeks of Chicago proved resilient. Despite dispersal to other parts of the city ─ neighborhoods like Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, and the South Side ─ Greektown endured. 

The Greek Independence Parade was held downtown until the 1990s.

Determined to preserve their heritage, a relocated Greektown took root just a few blocks north towards the current location along Halsted Street. The businesses, cultural institutions, and the moniker "Greektown" moved with them. 

Iconic restaurants offering specialties like gyros (first served in America in Chicago) and saganaki (flaming cheese) became culinary magnets, attracting locals and tourists alike. The annual Chicago "Taste of Greektown" festival emerged in 1990 as a joyous celebration of Greek culture, complete with traditional food, drink, dance, and music, drawing huge crowds.

1990 was the First Annual Chicago "Taste of Greektown" Festival.

Today, Greektown, adorned with classical Greek architectural elements, is a testament to the enduring spirit of Chicago's Greek community. It remains a cherished destination where the legacy of the early Greek pioneers reverberates amidst the dynamism of a modern American city.

The story of the Greeks in Chicago is one of unwavering determination, resilience, and a passionate love for their heritage. From the humble beginnings of those early mariners to the vibrant presence of today's Greektown, their tale enriches the mosaic of Chicago's history.

Copyright © 2024, Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

The Illinois, aka Illiniwek & Illini: A Chronicle of Power, Demise, and Women's Roles.

The narrative of The Illinois, aka Illiniwek or Illini, unfolds like a saga, etched against the backdrop of the Illinois country. Once a thriving confederacy, they rose to prominence, endured hardship, and ultimately witnessed the decline of their civilization. This interwoven account incorporates various threads, traversing from their early encounters with Europeans to the internal dynamics of Illiniwek society, with a particular focus on women's crucial role.

MEETING OF MARQUETTE AND JOLLIET WITH THE ILLINIWEK TRIBES.

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The Illinois  is pronounced as plural: [The Illinois'] was a Confederacy of Indian Tribes consisting of the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamarais (Tamaroa, Tamarois), Moingwena, Mitchagamie (Michigamea), Chepoussa, Chinkoa, Coiracoentanon, Espeminkia, Maroa, and Tapouara tribes that were of the Algonquin family. They spoke Iroquoian languages. The Illinois called themselves "Ireniouaki" (the French word was Ilinwe). All the tribes seemed to work together without issue. 

Our story commences with the Grand Village of La Vantum, a bustling metropolis teeming with 6,000 Illiniwek inhabitants. Nestled strategically along the Illinois River, this community thrived. The French explorers Marquette and Jolliet emerged as the first Europeans to set foot in La Vantum in 1673. Chief Chassagoac welcomed the newcomers warmly, exemplifying the Illiniwek's peaceful nature. This initial contact began a complex relationship between the Illiniwek and the Europeans, ultimately reshaping their history.

Before European arrival, the Illiniwek Confederacy, a powerful alliance of Algonquian-speaking tribes, dominated the region. However, the arrival of French missionaries and fur traders in the 17th century ushered in a period of immense change. The Illiniwek, unfortunately, bore the brunt of these transformations. Warfare and the introduction of diseases by the Europeans wreaked havoc on their communities. By the 1830s, a once-mighty confederacy had been reduced to a single village, their ancestral lands ceded to appease European encroachment. The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma stands today as the sole remnant of this formidable people.

Illinois Confederation

However, a closer look at the Illiniwek's history in the late 17th century reveals a more nuanced narrative than one of mere decline. Recent scholarship challenges the portrayal of the Illiniwek as a weak and passive people as depicted in early French accounts. Instead, evidence suggests they were a formidable force, strategically leveraging bison hunting and the slave trade to bolster their power. This revisionist perspective underscores the importance of decentering European narratives and foregrounding the agency of Indian groups in shaping their destinies.

A pivotal event that tragically altered the course of Illiniwek history unfolded in the village of La Vantum in 1680. A brutal massacre orchestrated by the Iroquois tribe left an indelible scar on the Illiniwek people. The Iroquois, harboring animosity towards the Illiniwek, descended upon La Vantum, unleashing a torrent of violence. French explorer Tonti, residing in the village alongside a contingent of priests and soldiers, became embroiled in the conflict. The Iroquois, mistaking the French for Illiniwek allies, subjected Tonti to torture. The massacre also claimed the lives of two priests, Fathers Gabriel and Zenobe. Countless Illiniwek people perished in the onslaught, while the survivors were forced to flee, forever displaced from their homeland.

To fully comprehend the Illiniwek Confederacy, we must delve into its foundation – the constituent tribes. The Peoria, Kaskaskia, and Cahokia were just a few prominent groups that united under the banner of the Illiniwek. Interestingly, the name "Illiniwek," signifying "the men," originated from their own designation. Upon encountering this powerful alliance, French explorers bestowed upon them the name Illinois, a moniker that has endured. The arrival of Marquette and Jolliet in 1673, the voyage etched a path down the Mississippi River, marked a significant chapter in the annals of European-Illiniwek interaction.

The narrative is complete by acknowledging women's critical role in Illiniwek society. While Illiniwek women were not traditionally involved in hunting or warfare, their contributions were essential. They shouldered the responsibility of gathering food, nurturing children, and managing the domestic sphere. Their influence extended beyond the household, as some women served as shamans and actively participated in specific ceremonies. Marriages within Illiniwek society adhered to a gift-giving system, and women possessed the remarkable right to divorce their husbands. Although societal norms placed men in a position of higher authority, Illiniwek women wielded considerable power within their designated domain.

The Illiniwek saga, a tapestry woven with threads of triumph and tribulation, stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit. From their initial encounters with Europeans to the internal dynamics of their society, their story offers valuable insights into a bygone era. By delving into the complexities of their history, we gain a deeper appreciation for the Illiniwek people and the indelible mark they left on the landscape of North America.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Buncombe, Illinois' Amazing Story.

Before European settlers arrived, the land that would become Buncombe, Illinois, was home to Indian tribes. Their presence shaped the landscape, influencing trails and the use of natural resources.

In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in Southern Illinois, drawn by farming opportunities and abundant timber. Johnson County was officially formed in 1812. Seeking to honor a piece of their past, some of these settlers arrived from Buncombe County, North Carolina, and gave their new home a familiar name.

The initial wave of settlers was likely drawn to the area's potential for farming and the proximity of natural resources like timber and, later, coal.

Forced Displacement.

The village of Buncombe holds a poignant place in the tragic history of the Trail of Tears. During the harsh winter of 1838-1839, hundreds of Indians were temporarily encamped at Buncombe, waiting for the frozen Mississippi River to thaw so they could continue to force the Indians to move westward.

In May 1830, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Indian Removal Act that authorized the President of the United States to exchange land west of the Mississippi River for Indian land in the east and appropriated $500,000 ($16,866,000 in 2024) to assist tribes in the move west.

Illinois Trail of Tears Southern Illinois Route.

illinois trail of tears

At the beginning of the 1830s, nearly 125,000 Native Americans lived on millions of acres of land in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida, land their ancestors had occupied and cultivated for generations. By the end of the decade, very few Indians remained anywhere in the southeastern United States. Working on behalf of white settlers who wanted to grow cotton on the Indians land, the federal government forced them to leave their homelands and walk hundreds of miles to a specially designated “Indian Territory” on the west side of the Mississippi River. This difficult and oftentimes deadly journey is known as the Trail of Tears.

 

All this occurred as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

The major detachments (groups) of Indians began moving through Illinois in November 1838. The extremely cold winter conditions slowed their progress significantly and exacerbated the suffering they endured. 

While the overall Trail of Tears encompasses routes through nine states, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma (Indian Territory), and Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma (Indian Territory), and Tennessee, the Southern Illinois segment is known as the Northern Route.

Passage through Illinois continued from January through March 1839, with some groups delayed until spring due to the frozen Mississippi River.

Approximately 100,000 Indians were forcibly moved. An estimated 10,000-15,000 Cherokee traveled the Northern Route in various groups. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Indians died in Illinois, including Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole people.

The Bridges family tavern and wayside store became a point of interaction during this time.  Buncombe witnessed the transformative influence of the railroad over time. Its arrival brought new opportunities but also caused some towns to up and move the whole town to new locations to be close to the railroad. Some villages and towns built a depot in exchange for making them a regular stop on the line.

Education has always been important in Buncombe. The Liberty Presbyterian Church, founded around 1850, first held services in a schoolhouse near the town. Buncombe High School served the community until its closure in 1943, but Buncombe Grade School continues to educate the town's youth. Other churches, like Salem Church (later to become the Methodist Episcopal Church of Buncombe), were also founded as the village grew.

In 1871, the township's name was formalized, with Buncombe Township being one of them. The arrival of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad spurred further growth for this small town. Caesar Cohn became an early merchant, and by 1916, Buncombe was incorporated as a village.

While it retains its small-town charm, present-day Buncombe, population 208 (2023), stands as a testament to the pioneering spirit of its founders. Its complex history is marked by interactions with the Cherokee, a resilient community, and enduring respect for education. 

The Yard Skull, Buncombe, Illinois

This unique yard decoration is cemented next to a garage building at a private residence. My husband has owned it since 1992. 

"I married the owner, so the skull came with him. Anyone is welcome to stop by. We get a lot of passersby who stop and take pictures of it. Some leave their vehicles to take each other's picture beside it." (S. Ramsey, 2009)

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Spillertown, Illinois, Challenges, Coal Mining and the Spirit of a Small Town.

Spillertown in Williamson County, Illinois, the story begins long before its incorporation in 1900. Population 175 (2023). 

In 1812, a hardy pioneer named Richard Bankston settled in what was then the wild frontier of Southern Illinois. He cleared land and established a homestead via the preemption rights common in that era, where settlers earned land ownership through development.

Four Spiller brothers came to the County in 1816 in a wagon train with other families from Robertson County, Tennessee. They were Elijah the preacher, Benjamin, Warrenton K., and William Spiller. Benjamin P. and William Spiller married in that earlier home, Elizabeth and Winifred Benson, sisters of William Benson, the first settler in Poor Prairie who gave Williamson County the land for a County seat. Elijah N. Spiller was the son of Benjamin Spiller, and he came with his father and uncles to establish his own home.

The Spiller family scattered throughout the County until nearly every community benefited from their leadership. For example, the family's daughters lived at Moeller Crossroads and Schoharie Prairie. Another was a charter member of the Christian church organized in Stotlar School, and still another taught in that school until she became the bride of Hiram Stotlar.

Elijah N. Spiller bought the land that became Spillertown in 1817 from its first settler, Richard Bankston. Bankston came about in 1812, established ownership by occupation and by tomahawk right, and then made a land entry in 1817. This preemption right and Mr. Bankston's improvements were sold to Mr. Spiller, who received the land deed from the government. He became a prominent local figure, lending his name to the future town. Noah Payne, a dry goods merchant at Marion, surveyed the town plat.

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A Girdled Tree.

A "tomahawk right" aka "tomahawk claim" or "cabin right," was an informal way for early white settlers to claim land ownership on the frontier in the 18th and early 19th centuries. It wasn't an official legal system, but more of a custom.

Here's how it worked:

• A settler would find a piece of land they wanted.
• They would then girdle some trees near a water source or other landmark. Girdling means cutting a ring around tree bark, which would eventually kill the tree.
• They might also carve their initials or name on the bark of  trees.

This marked the land as theirs, according to the informal system. It wasn't foolproof, but it sometimes convinced others or even led to the settler getting payment if someone else wanted the land. It's important to note that this wasn't a legal right, and eventually, proper land ownership procedures were established.

The old Harmony road went north from Marion through Spillertown to Frankfort and on to Benton in the days of horse-drawn vehicles. This was the road the earliest settlers took to Garret's Tavern and then to Harmony, Indiana, where the nearest carding machines were. 

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Carding machines were used to process raw fibers like cotton or wool, preparing them for spinning into yarn. 

Since the day a pioneer found coal near the village of Spillertown north of Marion, coal has shaped the economic landscape of Williamson County. The very name of Williamson County towns bespeak their mining history: Carterville, Herrin, Colp, Stiritz, and other towns were named for mines or the men who created them. Early blacksmiths performed some of the County's first mining, extracting fuel for their craft from small deposits near the surface of Hurricane Creek.

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Williamson County, Illinois once held the title of Illinois' top coal-producing County. During the 80 years of coal mining (1879-1959), the region generated a total of one million, five hundred sixty-five thousand, three hundred forty-eight

 (1,565,348) tons of coal. Over 160 coal mines, both surface and underground operated between those years. J.B. Williford was the first to mine coal 1879-1886 and The Finks Coal Company, R.W. Marshall Coal Company, Stilley Construction and Coal Company, and Wenzel Coal Company all closed in 1959. The fact that several major coal companies closed in the same year  underscores the decline the industry faced around that time. This likely had a major impact on the County's economy.

Benjamin and Warrenton K. Spiller were instructed to work their "hands" or hired men in Herrin's Prairie Road district when the Franklin County commissioners' court met in June 1839. Warrenton K. Spiller was the judge of general elections in Crab Orchard precinct with polls at Bainbridge. He officiated at an election for County surveyor in 1838 and at the election on the question of a County division in 1839. Each time, he was paid $1 for his services. When the division was accomplished, Warrenton K. Spiller was employed to copy the land records of Franklin County so far as they concerned Williamson County lands. He was paid $46 ($1,535 in 2024) for that work.

The home of Elijah N. Spiller was the meeting place in 1841 for the devout group who organized the first church of the Christian denomination in the County. Mrs. Joab Goodall rode horseback to these meetings from her home southeast of Marion, where Goodall's bridge still crosses Crab Orchard. The younger Goodall children would take turns riding pillion behind their mother (a secondary seat behind the coachman bench) to these weekly meetings at the Spiller house. Churches of the denomination were organized throughout the County from that meager beginning, the church at Marion about 1843. The Spiller name recurs in almost every Christian church membership in the County. Family members aided Rev. Clark Braden in establishing the Southern Illinois College at Carbondale, conducted under the control of the Christian church after the Civil War and before Normal, Illinois, was established.

Spillertown School, district 54, bears the impression of the family. Their standards established their school as superior, and to teach there has always been an acknowledgment of excellent qualifications.

Matthew I. Wroton taught Spillertown School in 1865, and for eight months, he had as pupil Captain George W. Young, late of Company E, 30th Kentucky mounted infantry. Mr. Young attended law school, opened an office in Marion, and was the County judge and state's attorney. He returned to Spillertown for his bride, another daughter of Elijah N. Spiller.

Walter Williams of Herrin's Prairie taught his first class at the Spillertown school in 1881. 

A landmark at Spillertown, the old Elijah N. Spiller homestead, was burned to the ground in September 1887. At the time, the house was occupied by the pioneer's daughter and her husband, Bethany J. and William M. Reid. Their daughter became the wife of Wiley F. Slater, County judge for several terms.

On May 20, 1898, a post office opened in Spillertown, further solidifying its status as a recognized town. James F. Reid served as the inaugural postmaster. The post office was closed on February 15, 1914. While losing dedicated postal services would be a setback for most towns, Spillertown's proximity to larger Marion likely mitigates the impact.

In the late 1800s, Spillertown developed as a small but self-sufficient rural village.

Throughout the 19th Century, Spillertown's location on a vital wagon route running from Marion to Benton helped the community grow. This route, known as the old Harmony Road, was a critical link for trade and communication, winding northward to Harmony, Indiana.

On March 3, 1900, the town was officially incorporated. 

Benjamin P. Spiller opened the B.P. Spiller Mine in 1906. By 1907, 1,174 tons of coal was mined.

As with many small towns, the 20th Century brought changes to Spillertown. Improved roads and the rise of the automobile made travel faster and easier, potentially leading to some out-migration. Technological advancements also transformed how people lived and worked.

By August 2011, Spillertown faced difficulties maintaining essential services in an increasingly modernized world. Town residents initiated discussions with the larger city of Marion regarding a potential annexation to address these challenges.

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Annexation can be a powerful tool for small towns, providing improved essential services like police and fire protection, trash collection, and water and sewer systems. It eases financial strain by merging tax bases with the larger city, potentially leading to lower taxes for residents. Small towns gain access to shared resources and more land for housing and development by joining larger economic hubs. Additionally, annexation offers greater influence over decision-making. It can even be a way to ensure sustained governance and services for dwindling towns rather than facing the challenges of remaining an independent municipality.

While the official status of Spillertown did not change through annexation, the stories of its pioneer beginnings, its growth as a small town, and the decisions its residents made to ensure a bright future all contribute to the rich tapestry of Southern Illinois history.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

What Happened to all the Alewives in Lake Michigan?

Alewives are small fish native to saltwater but migrate to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. They are also called River Herring, Sawbelly, Gaspereau, and Kyak. Alewives are a type of herring similar to Atlantic herring and are a good source of protein and omega-3s.

Small Alewive (Herrings) Quickly Grow to Maturity.

Alewives, a non-native species, entered the Great Lakes through canals, lacking natural predators, allowing their numbers to explode.

In the 1960s, the government began a program to restore the balance of the Great Lakes ecosystem. With the intentional introduction of predators to control the exploding alewife population, non-native salmon species like Coho and Chinook were introduced into the Great Lakes. These salmon preyed heavily on alewives, bringing their numbers down significantly.

Alewives primarily fed on zooplankton. A reduction of zooplankton populations in Lake Michigan due to invasive zebra and quagga mussels also contributed to their decline by limiting their food supply.

Eventually, the alewife population reached a more balanced level within the Lake Michigan ecosystem. While die-offs still can occur, they are far less frequent and much smaller than the massive beaching events of the 1950s through the 60s.

Alewives are sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Cold weather snaps following warmer periods could shock massive numbers of fish, leading to die-offs. 

Thousands of alewives cover a beach near downtown Chicago after being washed ashore by Easterly winds. Migrants from salt water, the fish pack Lake Michigan. After they spawn, they die. Chicago Park District crews have the messy, smelly job of clearing the beaches and freshening the air.

The sheer vastness of their population meant that these die-offs resulted in millions of dead fish washing ashore, creating a foul-smelling mess on Chicago's beaches.

Alewives are still present in the Great Lakes but in much lower numbers.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Shumway, Illinois, is One-Third of a Square Mile in Size.

The village of Shumway is an unincorporated community in Effingham County, in Southern Illinois, founded around 1856. The village population was 179 (2023). Shumway is part of the Effingham Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The quiet village of Shumway traces its roots back to the mid-19th century. While details of its earliest days are shrouded in the gentle passage of time, we know that the area was primarily settled by families seeking the fertile lands of the Illinois prairie. Farming became the lifeblood of the nascent community.

The village of Shumway owes its name to one R.H. Shumway, a visionary entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in shaping its identity. Originally established near what was known as Summit Station, the village would relocate to accommodate a depot on the Vandalia Railroad in 1881. This strategic repositioning fueled rapid growth. This growth is tied directly to R.H. Shumway, who founded his seed company in Rockford, Illinois.

In 1870,  Shumway established the R.H. Shumway Seedsman company, a modest enterprise that would transform the village and ultimately make an international impact. Shumway's innovative approach, commitment to quality seeds, and shrewd marketing acumen saw his operation quickly outgrow its initial premises in Rockford. Seeking a better location to accommodate his expanding business, Shumway's eye fell upon the small, farming-focused community that would eventually bear his name.

By 1881,  Shumway successfully relocated his seed company. The village, strategically located along a railroad line, provided excellent logistical advantages at a time when rail transport was vital. Shumway's seed business quickly blossomed into a commercial powerhouse. At its zenith, the company was renowned as the largest of its kind worldwide, dispatching upwards of 200,000 catalogs each year. 

As its economic fortunes soared, Shumway steadily built out the infrastructure and amenities, befitting a flourishing village. Businesses sprang up, catering to the needs of the burgeoning population. Homes multiplied, lining its streets and establishing a cozy residential character. Establishing institutions such as churches and schools cemented the village's sense of community and purpose.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Shumway, Illinois.

This historic and picturesque church was established in 1864 and replaced with the current building shown in the above picture. It is a testament to the village's spiritual heritage. The date of 1864 refers to the congregation's founding.

The church you see today dates back to 1880, with additions, such as the parish hall, etc., made since then. The original structure was erected one mile north of town in 1865, but no records exist of whether any of that building or its materials were moved or they started rebuilding from scratch. The site of the original structure is still the site of Trinity's cemetery today, though it has been expanded several times over the years.

Trinity Lutheran Church interior, Shumway, Illinois.

Shumway's success transformed the once-modest settlement into a thriving regional hub. R.H. Shumway Seedsman eventually became one of the largest seed distributors in the world by the time of Shumway's death in 1925.

The village of Shumway grew in tandem with the seed company's success. This small community on the vast Illinois plains became a surprising agricultural innovation and trade hub. Residents took pride in connecting to the Shumway name, which is recognized locally and in households nationwide. The Shumway seed catalog was a familiar and anticipated resource for countless farmers and gardeners, promising bountiful harvests year after year.

However, the world was changing, and even small communities like Shumway were not immune to those changes. The agricultural industry continued to modernize as the decades passed, with large-scale agribusiness increasingly displacing smaller operations. While the R.H. Shumway Seedsman company was eventually sold, changing hands and relocating, the village named for its founder perseveres.

Today, Shumway maintains its small-town charm. Visitors find a quiet and welcoming place with residents proud of their history as a center of seed distribution and rural life.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Hooppole, Illinois, Hopes and Hardships.

Nestled in the heart of Henry County, Illinois, lies the small village of Hooppole, with a population of 169 (2023). Its name is as unusual as its story. Legend has it that the area was once a haven for coopers (barrel-makers) who ventured from Rock Island searching for the pliable hickory saplings abundant in the region. The wood from these trees made excellent hoops for barrels, thus inspiring the curious name "Hooppole."

In the late 19th century, hopes for progress and prosperity soared in Hooppole with the promise of a railroad. The Hooppole, Yorktown & Tampico Railroad (HY&T), nicknamed "The Dummy," was envisioned as an electric interurban line to connect Hooppole to larger markets. However, financial constraints and a lack of enthusiasm from some landowners led to a less-than-ideal route and, ultimately, a steam-powered operation.

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The Evanston Avenue (Broadway today) Steam-Dummy Locomotive, Chicago, Illinois. 1864

The first car of this steamed-powered train was designed for the engine. The engine was enclosed to look like a passenger car, hence the name 'dummy.' The story goes that if the horses saw the engine, they would get spooked. It was thought that the more familiar appearance of a coach presented by a steam dummy compared to a conventional locomotive engine would be less likely to frighten horses when these trains had to operate in city streets. Later, it was discovered that the noise and motion of the operating gears of a steam engine frightened horses rather than the unfamiliar outlines of a steam engine.

The HY&T officially began service in 1909. Despite its limitations, the railroad proved instrumental in opening up the area, allowing farmers easier access to sell crops and giving residents a lifeline to larger towns like Chicago. It was hardly a smooth ride, though. The twists and turns of the track, resulting from land disputes, were a constant source of amusement and frustration for passengers.

HY&T Depot, Hooppole, Illinois. 1952

Through the first half of the 20th century, Hooppole remained a small agricultural community. While the Great Depression brought hardship, the folks of Hooppole possessed a resilient spirit. The HY&T Railroad, however, faced mounting challenges. After declaring bankruptcy in 1943, a dedicated investor named Howard Mathis kept the line chugging along for another decade. Sadly, the "Dummy" made its final run in 1954, marking the end of an era.

Today, Hooppole stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of rural America. While the railroad is gone, a sense of history lingers. Life in Hooppole maintains its quiet, small-town charm.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Elizabeth, Illinois, home to the Apple River Fort State Historic Site.

The Village of Elizabeth, population 695 (2022), was incorporated in 1868. It is located in the center of the rolling hill country of Jo Daviess County in northwestern Illinois. 

In the 1820s, rich lead deposits were discovered in the Galena region in northwestern Illinois. This attracted miners and settlers, leading to the growth of small communities. The Apple River Settlement was established in 1827. Several families set up homes, stores, and a general store that formed the core of the settlement.

President Andrew Jackson's administration supported a series of actions against the Indians, including the Indian Removal Act of 1830. 

Apple River Fort State Historic Site, 311 East Myrtle Street, Elizabeth, Illinois.

Black Hawk, a leader of the Sauk, disputed the validity of the treaties and attempted to return to their ancestral lands in Illinois. Conflicts erupt between settlers and Black Hawk's band. Amidst rising fear in 1832, area settlers built the Apple River fort in less than a week. Along with other fortifications hastily built in the region, they all served as shelters during the war.

Black Hawk led a resistance movement against forced removal from their ancestral lands. The tribes included the Sauk (Sac), Meskwaki (Fox), Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), and Kickapoo warriors.

Black Hawk's warriors attack the Apple River Fort, resulting in an hour-long battle (Battle of Apple River Fort; June 1832). The settlers successfully defended the fort, leading Black Hawk's forces to withdraw. This battle is notable as one of the few forts directly confronted by Black Hawk.

Following the Black Hawk War (September 21, 1832), the "Treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians" (sometimes referred to as the Black Hawk Purchase) resulted in a significant cession of land east of the Mississippi River by the Sac and Fox tribes to the US government, then move to a reservation in Iowa. The Sac and Fox Nation in Iowa, now known as the Mesquakie Indian Settlement, purchased back a portion of their ancestral land in the 19th century. This area is called Meskwakiinaki.

Around 1847, the fort was dismantled, and its timbers were used to construct a barn.

The Three Elizabeths Folklore

As legend has it, three women, all named Elizabeth, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, successfully defending the Apple River Fort during the 1832 Black Hawk War. In their honor, what had been known as the Apple River Settlement was renamed  the village of Elizabeth.

 

The anecdote states that three women, all named Elizabeth, bravely defended the Apple River Fort during the Black Hawk War in 1832. 

• Elizabeth Armstrong was particularly praised for her leadership and courage, motivating and assisting those inside the fort.
• Elizabeth Van Volkenburg (incorrect: Von Voltinburg)
• Elizabeth Winters. 

These women undoubtedly played important roles. They assisted in helping anyway they could. Reloading weapons, molding musket balls, nursing, etc. They showed unwavering resolve during the attack.

Today's Elizabeth is home to five museums, numerous gift shops, the largest antique mall in northwestern Illinois, and the Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Visit the Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Museum and the Elizabeth History Museum. 

Elizabeth has been described as the "undiscovered treasure" of northwestern Illinois.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.