Laid out by Andrew and Samuel Douglass Oct. 3, 1855. Named in honor
of John Biggs who was born in Manchester, England in 1802 and is buried in
Cumberland Cemetery 5 miles northwest of the village. Mr. Biggs purchased
the Grain Mills near what is now Biggsville in 1843.
Carman
William Marsden settled in Carman in 1842. The first business opened in
1866 and contributed to the town being platted in 1870 by Joseph Carman.
Dallas City
This village was named for US President James K. Polk's V-Pres., George Dallas.
At the turn of the century "Berg" Carriages and then cars were manufactured here
where the RiverView Supper Club is now located. Interesting historic
buildings include the 100-year-old castle-like high school building.
Gladstone
The south side the the tracks was laid out by Gideon Sage in May, 1856
with James R. White as surveyor. The north side was laid out two years later
in June, 1858 by Ezekiel W. Lynn. The Methodist Church was built in 1867.
Gulfport
On Oct. 25, 1915, John J. Scholer, Proprietor of East Burlington
Subdivision, had his property surveyed by H.M. Herald. The land was then
divided into lots, streets, and alleys which were sold to the public. This
land became part of Gladstone Township in Henderson Co. The Village of
Gulfport became incorporated May 31, 1928.
Lomax
Laid out by Robert Lomax in 1882. A railroad station and businesses were
located here many years before the town was platted. Lomax was the home of an
early airplane factory (circa 1910) and later had a modern tomato canning
factory.
Media
Nathan Wever laid out and platted Media in 1888. In 1892 a United
Presbyterian church building was built there by members of the Ellison church
and others, and in 1905 the Walnut Grove church disbanded and joined the
Media church.
Olena
The Historic 1862 Church is one of the oldest communities in the county
where the first settler arrived in 1833.
Oquawka
In 1827, Dr. Isaac Galland erected a log cabin and began trading with the
Indians at the site now known as Oquawka. In 1828 Stephen Phelps of
Lewistown, IL purchased the claim for his son, S.S., who made his home there.
Oquawka was laid out by Alexis Phelps and his brother, Stephen Sumner Phelps on July
9, 1836."Oquawka" was derived from an Indian word Oquawkiek meaning "Yellow
Banks".
Raritan
Platted on April 16, 1856 by Isaac V.D. Kelly, Tunis Q. Hixson, and Peter
Tharp, the town was given its name by the many settlers who migrated there
from along the Raritan River in New Jersey. Visit their historic,
refurbished, and used opera house.
Stronghurst
Platted Nov. 18, 1887 on land purchased by the Santa Fe Railroad.
According to the 1911 Henderson Co. history, it was the "metropolis of the
southern part of the county, located on rich farm land and noted for its
business enterprise,..."
Terre Haute
This community was platted in 1854 by Wm. C. Rice, deputy county surveyor
of Henderson County. The first building, a brick structure, was built in
1854.
Looking for more info?
Copyright © 1995-2024 Infobahn Outfitters, Inc., All rights reserved.