A small Glimpse of:
Crawford County Illinois
Crawford County Illinois was named for William Harris Crawford (1772-1834).
Crawford County Illinois at one time stretched its border nearly into Canada.
Crawford County is steeped in history.
Click here for a map of Illinois Counties.
As you travel historic Route 1 through Crawford County, you may want to visit:
Hutsonville-
(site of the Hutson Family Massacre) Hutsonville sits along the banks of the Wabash River and offers an outstanding view. The bridge in Hutsonville is the only access to Indiana for 40 miles in either direction. In Hutsonville you can see the Hutson Memorial Village, a 'town' made up of original, furnished log cabins, a log barn and a log church. It is named in memory of the Isaac Hutson family which was massacred by Indians in 1813 while Mr. Hutson was away on business. Mr Hutson then crossed the Wabash River, joined a party of settlers to track down the killers and was later killed himself by the Indians. This area is also home to the oldest Quaker Church and settlement in the state of Illinois. Nearby is one of the largest collections of White-tailed deer trophies in the United States. Antique and specialty stores round out the visit along with a bookstore located in the house where Illinois' ninth Governor, August French, was married. For more information call (618) 563-4464.
Located three miles west of Illinois 1 on Rt.33, Is the home of Lincoln Trail College and the Crawford County Historical Museum. This growing community was the birthplace of James Jones, a celebrated W.W.II author. It was here that he began the novel "From Here To Eternity". The L.S. Heath Candy Company was founded in 1914. The Heath English Toffee Bar was conceived in a "Sweet Shop" on Robinson's downtown square and is still produced solely in Robinson. Each year in May the "candy that made Robinson famous" is celebrated at the Heath Toffee Festival. The former HEATH plant is now
Hershey's Chocolate Robinson Robinson has one of only four
Marathon Refineries in the United States, - A Victor-Dana (gasket producers) plant, a Tempco (storm doors and windows) factory, an E.H. Baare (pronounced barry) factory, several other production plants, and many unique and collectible shops. For more information, contact the Robinson Area Chamber of Commerce at (618) 546-1557.
Palestine is the oldest town in the state of Illinois still in its original location. Palestine is reputed to be the oldest white settlement in Illinois. A French trading post was located near the present site of Palestine in the 1680's. In 1821, when the Federal Land Office opened in Palestine, Crawford County encompassed the territory North to Wisconsin, and much of the land where Chicago was built was purchased here for $1.25 per acre. Fort Lamotte was built in 1812 to protect the early settlers in Crawford County from Indian attack. In 1830 when the Lincoln family, including 21 year old Abraham, moved to Illinois they stopped to rest at an inn near Heathsville and camped at Palestine a day later. On a newly revived Main Street, quaint specialty shops and restaurants, the Fife Opera House, a revamped Darby Caboose, and spacious Leaverton Park await visitors. Palestine is known best for its '#1 Small Outdoor Rodeo' held every Labor Day Weekend. For more information contact the Palestine Chamber of Commerce at (618) 586-2222 or visit the Pioneer City web site by clicking here.
Oblong is Located 10 miles west of Route 1 on route 33. Oblong became prosperous during Crawford County's "oil boom" in the early 1900's. Oblong is home to one of the seven Oil Field Museums in the United States today. This is the only outdoor oil well museum that is free to the public. Each fall, Oblong has a Antique Engine show. In recent years, the Oblong high school math team has finished first and second in state competition. Each year Oblong has a number of special events, among them the Crawford County Fair, and the annual Fall Follies and Halloween Festival, featuring the largest night time parade in the state. In conjunction with the Halloween festivities is the annual pancake and sausage supper. Arts and crafts line Main Street and live entertainment adds to the festive atmosphere. Also in Oblong you will find a beautiful park, complete with a well stocked lake and campsites. While in the "Gem City" be sure to visit the unique shops. For more information call (618) 592-4134.
Located four miles east of Rt.1 on Rt.33, Palestine has a rich historical background.
The way Oblong was named is an interesting story. Originally, the city was called HENPECK. Understandably enough, some citizens took exception to be known as being from a place called HENPECK, so when Henpeck came to be incorporated it was voted to rename the city OBLONG (because of the physical dimensions of the city). The vote, it is reported, was unanimous.
Some interesting Crawford County facts:
Robert R. Lincoln, a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln, came to Crawford County along the same route his relatives had followed a few years previous and settled here.
Elizabeth Betsey Reed - The only woman ever executed by hanging in Illinois (1845) is buried next to her husband, who she poisoned with arsenic-laced sassafras tea. While at the Palestine jail Reed attempted to escape by burning down the jail. She was then moved to the Lawrence County jail. Some reports place the crowd estimate at close to 20,000 for her hanging. Her remains now lay next to her husband's, marked by a single grave stone, in Baker cemetary near Heathsville.
The Rousch brothers, early airplane builders and flyers, are remembered at the airport museum between Palestine and Robinson.
It's a fact that more oil came out of Crawford County in one year (in it's boom) than has EVER come out of the state of Texas!
The site for picking one of the largest wells in the county was accomplished by chucking an empty whiskey bottle into the air and stating "we'll drill where it lands".
A bank robbery was discovered and one robber killed because the robbers were spotted by a merchant in his 'outhouse' (he could see the bank being robbed through cracks in the door).
A French trading post was located near the present site of Palestine in the 1680's.
Palestine, which holds the oldest continuous charter in Illinois, is also believed to be the state's oldest white settlement.
Soldiers under Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark fought one of the most crucial naval battles of the Revolution near Heathsville in 1779...the only one fought on the Wabash River.
Fort LaMotte and later Fort Foot were erected at Palestine during the War of 1812 to protect settlers from Indian attack.
In 1821, an important U.S. Land Grant Office opened in Palestine. At that time Palestine was the County Seat for an area that went north as far as Canada. In 1833, the office's most famous grant was issued to Robert Kinzie who for a mere $1.25 an acre, purchased 102.29 acres of land now known as the Chicago Loop.
In 1830, the Hall, Hanks and Lincoln families rested in Heathsville and camped at Palestine on their way through Illinois. 21 year old Abraham and his father visited the U.S. Land Office, the Dubois Tavern and enjoyed the antics of a traveling juggler.
Crawford County's first courthouse was located in the bustling town of Palestine. On December 25, 1843 Robinson was platted with a public square, becoming the fourth village in the county. It had two cabins in the vicinity at the time.
The first Hutsonville Ferry, the only viable route across the Wabash, went into operation in 1854 carrying mostly teams of horses and farm machinery. When Model T's were new a Graysville woman attempting to disembark was drowned when her auto rolled back into the river. In 1939, the first Hutsonville bridge opened making ferry travel obsolete.
The Ruby Distillery erected in 1858, was located east of Hardinville, made about on hundred gallons of whiskey a day. It ceased operation in 1862 because the owner could not pay the required government revenue.
Dr. Kelly's home, a two story log cabin located north of Hutsonville, was reputed as being an underground railroad station during the days of slavery.
The only recorded visit of Johnny Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) to Illinois was at Old York, which was in Crawford County at that time.
In 1906 on the John Shire farm near Stoy, a drilling site was decided by tossing an empty whiskey bottle into the air. Fourteen feet down oil was struck and the Crawford County oil boom was on. The Stoy and Oblong areas became tent cities overnight. From 1908 to 1910, Crawford County was credited as being the greatest oil producing area in the world.
John D. Rockafeller, was a frequent visitor to the Stoy bank. In 1911, burglars blasted the bank vault, in a robbery attempt. Everyone was so used to the boom of explosives used in drilling operations that no one reported hearing a thing.
The mussel beds near Hutsonville in the early 1900's were the discovery site for many a fine and expensive pearl. Pearls found in the Wabash River at Hutsonville have found their way into Tiffany's showrooms and Queen Victoria's crown jewels. One eventually became the favorite jewel in the famous Dagmar necklace of Queen Alexandria.
The "Flying Rousch Brothers", Charles, Berl and Usher, were all well known for their great strides in early aviation. They began their building, testing and flying activities just east of where the Robinson Airport stands today. When 19 year old Usher Rousch built his first flying machine in 1909 (seven years after the Wright Brothers) he had never even seen an airplane.
Robinson is the home of James Jones and it was here that he began writing "From Here to Eternity". It is rumored that his novel "Some Came Running" was created from real life Crawford County society happenings.
Palestine's outgoing and likeable Mary "Auntie" Gogin was the first woman in Illinois to own and operate her own retail store.
After Flat Rock's disastrous fire in 1912, an ordinance was passed that all new building must be constructed of brick. The town has more concrete sidewalk per capita than anywhere in the nation.
The oldest continually operated business in the county is Reinbold & Sons. Opened in Palestine in 1852 by the Miesenhelder family, the mill was purchased by Walter Daily in 1947. The mill and grain elevator has been operated since 1984 by the current owners.
INDIAN MASSACRES --- PADDLEWHEELERS traveling up and down the Wabash from Terre Haute to the Ohio River ... It's all part of Crawford County's colorful past.
Visit our Crawford County Historical Museum located on the North West corner of the Lincoln Trail College Campus between Illinois route 1 and the Robinson Correctional Center. Open each Sunday 2-4pm or by appointment. The Crawford County Historical Society phone number is (618) 544-3087. talk to a member of the Crawford County Historical Society and find out more or Click Here for their Internet site.
This is only a short synopsis of our fine County, its many fine industries and friendly citizens.
Here are some 5 Star Crawford County Links!
Crawford County Historical Society (C.C.H.S.)
Crawford County Tourism
Excellent Crawford County Link!
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Since Aug 8th, 2003
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