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. Continue reading
Numerous additions to the History Page have been recently added:
- Histories of communities: Alleghany, Big Muddy (a.k.a. White Row), Burns Settlement, Carterville District Mine, Cedar Grove, Cowthon, Downey, Droit City, Grays, Halfway II, Jeffrey Mine, Malcomville, Moake Crossing, Nixville, Number Seven Row, Paineville, Pinch Off, Prosperity, Rogerville, Vicksburg, and Other Communities.
- Plat Maps (1908) added to histories: Alleghany, Blairsville, Canaville, Corinth PO, Crab Orchard, Fordville, Hudgens, Malcomville, New Denison, New Virginia, Jeffersonville, Pittsburg, Pope’s Highland, Reeves, Spillertown, Stonefort and Whiteash. Oraville and Stern’s Outlots were added to Other Communities.
- Railroad Maps: Maps from 1876 and 1908 covering the state and Southern Illinois.
- 1822 Illinois State Map
- 1876 Williamson County Map showing the names of all the old precincts
A new page had been added to the History Page on this site that includes a 1908 Williamson County map and maps of each of the twelve county townships. These maps can be invaluable when trying to determine the location of old lost sites or property ownership locations.
The page can be found under Williamson County on the History Page or you can jump straight to the link by clicking here.
The Williamson County Museum was host to the Carbondale New School’s fifth through eighth grade class members on April 2, 2014. The students were accompanied by parents and teachers on a tour of the old county jail where they got to pour over our Native American artifact collection and spend some time in the slammer. Continue reading
