marker year for markers

Marker year for markers

By Tom Teague

From Chicago to Metropolis, 2003 has been most productive year for the dedication of historical markers. Our season started June 1 in Homewood with a marker about the Dixie Highway. It continued June 29 in Taylorville with a marker at a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln argued many cases. On June 30 and July 1 and 2, the Society helped post three markers along the path taken by the George Rogers Clark troop during a key Revolutionary War engagement. After a break for Independence Day, dedications continued July 5 in Pekin with a marker honoring the 85th anniversary of the sinking of the steamboat Columbia. The nautical theme continued July 24 in Chicago with a marker to the Eastland steamer. The season will conclude in October in Quincy with a marker honoring Steven Douglas' career in that city.

The Society posted its first marker in 1934. To date, it has co-sponsored more than 400. Markers are not glitzy or glamorous. They're lowkey and grassroots. And that is why they work so well. As a unit, they form our state's most comprehensive historical program—also its most accessible and economical. History, no less than music, art or literature, enriches the lives of those who embrace it. Citizens who know the past of their city, county or state will be better citizens than those who don't. And they will have a deeper feeling for their communities, too.

Following are summaries of the historical markers that the Society has dedicated this year to date:

Dixie Highway

Dedication of the Christian County Courthouse marker, Taylorville

The Dixie Highway was the first national road linking industrial northern states to agricultural southern states. Governors of several states met in 1915 to consider an improved road to Miami. States lobbied for inclusion, resulting in eastern and western divisions running through 10 states. In Illinois the route started in Chicago, traveled through Blue Island, Homewood, and Chicago Heights, then followed what is today Route 1 down to Danville. There it turned east to Indiana. By 1923, the Dixie Highway consisted of a network of 6,000 improved roadway miles.

The Dixie Highway follows one of the oldest and most historic Illinois trails. Native Americans and trapper-traders used a path worn by animals along the eastern Illinois border. In the 1820s, Gurdon Saltenstall Hubbard established trading posts along the route, which is identified as Hubbard's Trace and Vincennes Trail on old maps. In 1835, the Illinois General Assembly ordered a state road to be established and mile markers placed thereon.

Elaine Egdorf, a Society advisory board member from Homewood, led the effort to erect and dedicate this marker. Along with the Society, co-sponsors included the Homewood Heritage Committee and the Homewood Historical Society.

Christian County Courthouse

The first courthouse of Christian County (originally Dane County) was built in 1840 for $2,350. It was located in the center of Taylorville's public-square. Court was held on the lower level with county officers sharing the upstairs

floor. Since the circuit court came to town only twice each year, the courtroom was available at other times for use by county commissioners or for public functions.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the attorneys who traveled the Eighth Circuit and came to Taylorville. He had trials in this courthouse before Judge David Davis, whom he later appointed to the United States Supreme Court. During one trial, Lincoln was interrupted by a loud noise from the hogs underneath the courthouse. In mock earnestness, he asked Judge Davis to issue a "writ of quietus" requiring the sheriff to abate the nuisance!

This courthouse was replaced with a new one in 1856 and sold for $267. It was moved several times before being placed on the grounds of the Christian County Historical Society's museum in Taylorville, where it now stands. It includes many original furnishings, except for the hogs.

Bob and Rebecca Steiner of the Christian County society led the effort to post this marker. Other sponsors included the Bertrand Hopper Memorial Foundation, the Taylorville Park District and the Taylorville Tourism Council.

8| Illinois Heritage

ISHS President David W. Scott (left) and former ISHS Marker Committee Chairman Marv Ehlers with the Eastland Disaster marker

George Rogers Clark March

These markers commemorate Lt. Col. Clark's 1778 march across southern Illinois with a troop of 170 men, primurih Virginians. Starting near what is now Fort Massac, their objective was to capture the British post at Kaskaskia. This attack and a later one at Vincennes, Indiana, prevented the British and their Indian allies from invading Kentucky. It also secured the Illinois Territory for the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Bowman's Company, a Revolutionary War reenactment group, recreated Clark's march in late June and earh |uly. Its leaders included Carrick Williams of Springfield and Joset Klefman of Peoria. With a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, they were able to dedicate three markers alone the way.

State Representative Bill Mitchell (Forsyth) and Columbia disaster turvivor Lucille Adcock of Pekin, at the marker dedication

The Steamboat Columbia Disaster

On July 5, 1918, the steamboat Columbia sank in the Illinois River upstream from Peoria. What began as one of the season's premier social events ended in tragedy. 1 he Pekin South Side Social Club sponsored the ornate sternwheeler's ill-fated voyage. Beginning in Kingston Mines, some 500 passengers boarded the boat for a trip to AI I resco Amusement Park in Peoria. On the return trip, as festivities were in full swing, a hole was torn in the Columbia's hull and it sank. The deceased were brought to the riverfront for identification. Of the 87 who died, 57 were from Pekin.

The Tazewell County Historical Places Society, led by Bryan Soady of Chatham, co-sponsored the marker along with the ISHS.

The Eastland Disaster

While still partially tied to its dock at the Chicago River's river's edge, the excursion steamer Eastland rolled over on the morning of July 24, 1915. The Eastland was filled to overflowing with picnic-bound Western Electric Company employees and their families. The result was one of the worst maritime disasters in American history. More than 800 people lost their lives within a few feet of the shore. Investigations following the disaster raised questions about the ship's seaworthiness and encouraged inspections of Great Lakes steamers in general.

In 1993, this society collaborated with the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to erect a marker near where the Eastland sank. That marker, unfortunately, disappeared two years ago when heavy reconstruction work began along Wacker Drive in Chicago's Loop. Ted Wachholz of the Eastland Disaster Society spearheaded the movement to order and dedicate the replacement marker. Mr. Wachholz is also a member ol the Illinois State Historical Society's advisory board.

The Society will publish a report on the Douglas marker dedication in the next issue of Illinois Heritage. Meanwhile, consider this bumper sticker advice: "I brake for historical markers!" For information about how to get a marker for outstanding historical sites in your community, visit the Society's website at www.historyillinois.org or call the Society at 217-525-2781.

Coast guard cutter sends a shower of water into the air and Chicago River as part of the Eastland Disaster marker dedication.

Illinois Heritage | 9