Shawneetown in Gallatin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Black History of Shawneetown, IL

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

1. Black History of Shawneetown, IL Marker

Inscription.

Black History of Shawneetown, IL. . (top left:), 1930 Federal Census Shawneetown Pop. 1440 Black families 55 Family members 192, Occupations listed as Minister . Teacher Carpenter . Farm labor Hotel porter . Laundress Sawmill labor . Private maid Sand and gravel labor Mechanic . Stave mill labor. , (top right:), In those early years the black population played a vital part in the growth of the city and farming community. A majority of the black families gradually moved away, mostly for education and economic reasons. Two of the original families remain: Steve Green, the local plumber and his son, Steven Michael Green (deceased) who returned in 2004. Ruebena Newsom, widow of Ivory Newsom. They remain highly respected for their lives of integrity and their contributions to the community. , (bottom:), This monument stands on the site where the Dunbar School was relocated with the moving of the town in 1939-40. Integration concepts and economic conditions caused the school to be closed in the 1950's and was torn down in 2000., The Gallatin County History Book, Vol. 1, 1812-1988 provides additional information on the Dunbar School. The teachers and children who attended and other families of the area, [the other side is a monument] , This monument is a tribute to the original group of black families who moved from Shawneetown on the river, to Shawneetown three miles inland, where they would start life anew, after the devastation caused by the 1937 flood. , The following is a street map of their new location with street names and block numbers , Block 1 - Washington Drive, Ivory and Ruebena Newsom Jim Thrailkill, Robert Keetch John McKinney, Paul and Ann Hundley, Block 2 - Dunbar Drive East (now Green Drive), Oscar and Jesse Payne Lue Robertson Guy and Mary Jacobs, Earl and Josephine Coefield Grace Buckman, Ellen McClester Carrol and Sara Rudd, George and Louise Green Crusher and Mable Thrailkill, Mattie Green, Block 3 - Dunbar Drive West, Oscar and Fanny Roberson, Dona McCarthy Steve Anderson, Uyles Keetch, Hobert Ellis Susie Portee, Tuttle Johnson Harm Conway, Ralph Givens .

(top left:)

1930 Federal Census
Shawneetown Pop. 1440
Black families 55
Family members 192

Occupations listed as
Minister • Teacher
Carpenter • Farm labor
Hotel porter • Laundress
Sawmill labor • Private maid
Sand & gravel labor
Mechanic • Stave mill labor

(top right:)

In those early years the black population played a vital part in the growth of the city and farming community. A majority of the black families gradually moved away, mostly for education and economic reasons. Two of the original families remain: Steve Green, the local plumber & his son, Steven Michael Green (deceased) who returned in 2004. Ruebena Newsom, widow of Ivory Newsom. They remain highly respected for their lives of integrity and their contributions to the community.

(bottom:)

This monument stands on the site where the Dunbar School was relocated with the moving of the town in 1939-40. Integration concepts & economic conditions caused the school to be closed in the 1950's & was torn down in 2000.

The Gallatin County History Book, Vol. 1, 1812-1988 provides additional information on the Dunbar School. The teachers and children who attended and other families of the area

[the other side is a monument]

This

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monument is a tribute to the original group of black families who moved from Shawneetown on the river, to Shawneetown three miles inland, where they would start life anew, after the devastation caused by the 1937 flood.

The following is a street map of their new location with street names and block numbers

Block 1 - Washington Drive

Ivory & Ruebena Newsom
Jim Thrailkill, Robert Keetch
John McKinney, Paul & Ann Hundley

Block 2 - Dunbar Drive East (now Green Drive)

Oscar & Jesse Payne Lue Robertson
Guy & Mary Jacobs, Earl & Josephine Coefield
Grace Buckman, Ellen McClester
Carrol & Sara Rudd, George & Louise Green
Crusher & Mable Thrailkill, Mattie Green

Block 3 - Dunbar Drive West

Oscar & Fanny Roberson, Dona McCarthy
Steve Anderson, Uyles Keetch, Hobert Ellis
Susie Portee, Tuttle Johnson
Harm Conway, Ralph Givens

Erected 2010 by Annie Ruth Green.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Disasters • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 42.825′ N, 88° 11.48′ W. Marker is in Shawneetown, Illinois, in Gallatin County. Marker is at the intersection

Monument side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

2. Monument side

Reverse

of McLean Road and Illinois Route 13, on the right when traveling south on McLean Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10155 State Highway 13, Shawneetown IL 62984, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. James Harrison Wilson (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Michael K. Lawler (approx. 0.2 miles away); You Are Not Forgotten (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Shawneetown Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Illinois Territory (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Spirit of Shawneetown (approx. 3.3 miles away); General Logan's Marriage (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shawneetown.

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on June 12, 2010. One notable figure who attended the ceremony was Sheila Simon (daughter of former Illinois Senator Paul Simon), who was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois later in 2010.

Regarding Black History of Shawneetown, IL. Steven Green passed away on November 16, 2010 (five months after the marker was dedicated). Reubena Newsom died on January 27, 2018.

Also see . . . Black families of Shawneetown honored with monument. Article from the Harrisburg Register, published June 14, 2010, talking

Photographed By Ron Frailey

3. Black History of Shawneetown, IL Marker

The Dunbar School prior to being torn down in new Shawneetown Illinois. Feel free to find more on my Facebook group the Ghosts of Old Shawneetown

about the dedication ceremony of the marker. Annie Green (husband of Steve Green, mentioned on the marker), a member of the Shawneetown Historical Society, was behind the whole research of the marker, as she proudly paid tribute to African-Americans who were once residents of Shawneetown. (Submitted on August 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Ron Frailey, November 20, 2013

4. Black History of Shawneetown, IL Marker

The Dunbar School prior to the flood in Old Shawneetown Illinois. Feel free to find more on my Facebook group the Ghosts of Old Shawneetown

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

5. Black History of Shawneetown, IL Marker

Looking west on IL Route 13. Sign leads to marker (where red arrow points)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Ron Frailey of Eldorado, Illinois. 5. submitted on August 29, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.