The History of Jacksonville

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

2. Morgan County History • 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

3. Jacksonville History • 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

4. Illinois College • 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

5. Illinois College • 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?

6. MacMurray College • 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 MacMurray College for Women • MacMurray College became co-education in 1955, allowing men to enroll.

7. Women in Jacksonville History • 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

8. Former Jacksonville Businesses • 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

9. Jacksonville Transportation • 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

10. Lasting Businesses in Jacksonville • 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

11. Restaurants of Jacksonville • 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

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

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

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

15. Lawyers in Jacksonville • 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

16. Politicians in Jacksonville • 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

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

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

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

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

21. Historical Homes of Jacksonville • 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”?

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

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

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

25. 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! 