Eighty seven students and several adult chaperones from the Marion Washington School’s fourth and fifth grade classes toured the Williamson County Historical Society museum Thursday, May 22, 2014. The students were broken up into eight tour groups accompanied by volunteers of the county museum and teachers from the Washington School. (more…)
Author: Sam
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Open House Held on May 17th, 2014
The Williamson County Illinois Historical Society hosted an open house on May 17th, 2014 to celebrate the museum’s extended hours of operation and also the 175th Williamson County Anniversary. The event was held from noon till just after 3 P.M. and was attended by approximately 90 people.
Coverage was provided by the Southern Illinoisan and WSIL Channel 3 television. Dr. Courtney Kisat distributed educational information and several board and society members served as hosts for visiting patrons. (more…)
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Jefferson School Students Tour Museum
Jefferson School Students May 5, 2014 Over thirty students of the Jefferson School from Marion toured the Williamson County Historical Society Friday, May 16th, 2014. The students, all fifth graders, were part of a tour arranged by teacher, Wendy Goodman, who schedules her students on tours each year at the museum. (more…)
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Institutional Cemeteries Website Available
Steven Seim, a resident of Wisconsin, recently contacted us to make us aware of some work he has taken on. Steven is attempting to catalog all of the cemeteries throughout the Midwest established for residents of asylums, poorhouses, poor farms, prisons, orphanages, and similar institutions – in other words, cemeteries for the unclaimed. Most of the individuals laid to rest in these cemeteries were forgotten in their own lifetimes. It is my hope that they will not be forgotten to history. (more…)
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Civil War 150 at SIU Special Collections Research Center
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…)
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Sneed’s Histories of Ghost Towns Added
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…)
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History Page Additions
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
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1908 County and Township Map Set Added
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.
