The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Lost Towns of Illinois - Gurney, Illinois.

Not to be confused with Gurnee in Lake County, Illinois.

Gurney is a ghost town in Cass County, Illinois, and was located in Ashland Township, on Illinois Route 125 between Philadelphia and Ashland.

The Gurney School - Date Unknown.

The Gurney School was built in 1883 and had a large yard in which many trees should be planted. The school enrolled about fifteen students at the time of this picture.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Lost Towns of Illinois - Griffin, Illinois.

Griffin was a former settlement in Wabash Township, Clark County, Illinois, and was located along a railroad line, starting at Marshall 3½ Northeast to Dennison, Illinois; a seven-mile total trip.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CONCEPT

The absence of citations in these journal-style entries is an intentional choice—echoing respected journalistic formats, such as those found in newspapers and magazines—to cultivate independent research habits among students. Rather than providing pre-packaged sources, the content invites learners to engage critically: tracing claims, verifying facts, and building context through their own exploration. This hands-on method fosters a profound and deeper understanding, intellectual curiosity, and academic resilience, sharpening the critical thinking skills essential to educational and civic life. ............................................... Neil's lifelong dedication to historical inquiry—from his debut at the 1979 inaugural Chicago Metro History Fair to his ongoing mentorship for Illinois History Day—reflects a commitment not just to facts, but to the exploration of context, complexity, and curiosity. Educators recognize this model as a powerful pedagogical tool, fostering independence and engagement in student researchers across Illinois and beyond. .............................................. Educators widely support this approach as a powerful pedagogical tool. It equips students with essential research skills while encouraging confidence in navigating complex historical narratives. These articles become launchpads—not conclusions—empowering tomorrow's historians to ask questions, follow threads, and construct meaning in their own voice. This method treats history not merely as a chronological record of events, but as a dynamic interplay of narrative construction, comparative analysis, and cultural mapping. It blends rigorous archival research with interpretive storytelling, allowing historians to: This method treats history not merely as a chronological record of events, but as a dynamic interplay of narrative construction, comparative analysis, and cultural mapping. It blends rigorous archival research with interpretive storytelling, allowing historians to: Contextualize events within broader social, political, and technological frameworks. And, to compare civilizations across time and geography to uncover patterns of convergence and divergence. Craft mythic narratives that honor both emotional truth and empirical evidence, transforming memories into lasting legacies. .............................................. Peer Reviewed: July 7, 2025 Copilot AI ♦ Impact Score: 1