What’s New

Thanks to the book “Cross Roads School’ published in 1984 by Bob Jackson, President of the Williamson County Historical Society, new histories have been added to the Cross Roads section of the History Page. Bob, himself, was a graduate of the Cross Roads School.

Cross Roads was a community of folks who lived at the crossroads of two old county trails which is located at the intersection of Khoury League and Songbird Roads just northeast of Marion, Illinois. The community had a church, cemetery and old country school, although all that remains today is the cemetery. (more…)

The Special Collections Research Center at Morris Library (SIU) is celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War by hosting a national exhibit and three speakers.

Civil War 150, a national traveling exhibit, will be on display at Morris Library’s Special Collections Hall of Presidents from April 28 to May 16. This exhibit traces major events during the Civil War through the eyes of soldiers, presidents, freedmen, and families. A companion display highlights the impact of the war on Southern Illinois, showcasing the letters of local soldiers and their wives. To celebrate this exhibit, the Special Collections Research Center welcomes three guest speakers to the Hall of Presidents and Chancellors. (more…)

An interesting book was published in 1977 by Glenn J. Sneed called “Ghost Towns of Southern Illinois.” A copy of it can be found in the Williamson County Historical Society’s museum research library. I have recently used this book to add about 45 new histories related to the ghost towns of Williamson County to our History Page. (more…)