Harrisburg in Saline County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Harrisburg
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017
1. Harrisburg Marker
Inscription.
Harrisburg. . 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.
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.
Location. 37° 44.311′ N, 88° 32.405′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Illinois, in Saline County. Marker 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.
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 in a direct line);
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.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2017
2. Harrisburg Marker (marker located within small plaza at corner of courthouse grounds)
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.)
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 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 14 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.
