Harrisburg in Saline County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Harrisburg

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017

1. Harrisburg Marker

Inscription. James A. Harris moved to this area in the 1820’s and established a sawmill and mule barn near the present corner of Vine and Church streets. Harris, John Cain, John Pankey and James Yandall donated land for the town site, platted in 1853. The area was known as “Crusoe’s Island” because it resembled an island during the frequent floods of the time. The first business was a grocery store built of logs, operated by James Feazel, located south of the city square on what is now Poplar Street. The county seat officially moved from Raleigh to Harrisburg in 1859.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 37° 44.311′ N, 88° 32.405′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Illinois, in Saline County. It is at the intersection of East Poplar Street (Illinois Route 34) and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on East Poplar Street. Marker is located at the southwest corner of the Saline County Courthouse grounds, which is the northeast corner of the Poplar Street/Main Street intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 East Poplar Street, Harrisburg IL 62946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt,

in Shawnee Hills,

and in the Tri-State Region.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saline County Courthouse Clock (about 300 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Harrisburg City Hall (about 400 feet away); Virginia Gregg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Lewis and the Lewis Sanatorium (approx. ¼ mile away); Always There (approx. 1.3 miles away); "Not Forgotten" (approx. 1.3 miles away); Welcome to The City of Harrisburg's "Little Arlington" (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Also see . . .
1. A Brief History of Harrisburg, Illinois. The county seat was not moved for five years after Harrisburg was laid out and building had begun. Another election was called, and those favoring Harrisburg claimed a majority of fifteen votes. The case was taken into court and remained there a long time, but the court did nothing, and finally threw it out. Some have contended that the Harrisburg supporters bought it out. At any rate, in 1859 the county seat was moved to Harrisburg, and Harrisburg was incorporated as a town in 1861. (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Harrisburg, Illinois: Industrial Origins.

Harrisburg Marker (<i>marker located within small plaza at corner of courthouse grounds</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017

2. Harrisburg Marker (marker located within small plaza at corner of courthouse grounds)

Between 1860 and 1865 southern cotton became unavailable during the Civil War, Harrisburg was one of the few cities in the Upland South during this time to have woolen mills, making the town an industrial asset early on to Southern Illinois. Several planing mills and flour mills also dotted the city. The Cairo and Vincennes Railroad was completed in 1872 by Ambrose Burnside, and American Civil War, Union Army, brigadier general Green Berry Raum, who was living in Harrisburg at that time. Robert King, an early proprietor, opened a brick and tile factory at the southern terminus of Main Street in 1896 with the capacity of carrying out 15,000 bricks every 10 hours. Harrisburg also saw the opening of several saw mills. (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Harrisburg Marker (<i>marker is located behind bench in plaza at corner of intersection</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017

3. Harrisburg Marker (marker is located behind bench in plaza at corner of intersection)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,073 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.