Olney in Richland County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

History of the Olney Albino Gray Squirrel

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 22, 2021

1. History of the Olney Albino Gray Squirrel Marker

Inscription. There were two people who discovered the Olney albino gray squirrel at about the same time, but in different places. William Yates Stroup caught albinos near his farmhouse four miles southeast of Olney. George W. Ridgeley captured albinos on his farm six miles southeast of Sumner, Il. In 1902 both brought their squirrels to Olney and they were displayed in the window of Jasper Banks Saloon on Main Street. Later they were brought to a woods near Douglas and Silver Streets and so populates the City of Olney.

Erected 2002.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 38° 44.134′ N, 88° 5.638′ W. Marker is in Olney, Illinois, in Richland County. It is on White Squirrel Drive east of North West Street (Illinois Route 130), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located at Olney City Park, near the west entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 502 White Squirrel Cir, Olney IL 62450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Solar Power in Olney, Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lincoln and Douglas in Olney (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bower Park / Bird Haven

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic McsBurg School / The One-Room Rural Schools of Richland County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Neighborhood Marker (approx. 0.6 miles away); Robert Ridgway and "Bird Haven" (approx. 1.7 miles away); 1950 Census Population Center (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olney.

Regarding History of the Olney Albino Gray Squirrel. Other towns/cities in North America that have similar claims to fame over albino squirrels: Kenton, Tennessee, Marion, Missouri, Brevard, North Carolina and Exeter, Ontario.

Also see . . . White Squirrels of Olney. Albino squirrels usually come out during certain times of the year in Olney. The city takes pride in the squirrels, as there are fiberglass sculptures around town. Local police officers wear white squirrel patches on their shoulders, and there are murals dedicated to the furry rodents in the downtown section of Olney. Laws in Olney involve the white squirrels: a person can be fined for removing a squirrel from the city and for running over or killing a squirrel (they are given the right-of-way on Olney's streets). (Submitted on July 30, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 22, 2021

2. History of the Olney Albino Gray Squirrel Marker

Marker is located at Olney City Park.

Olney City Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 22, 2021

3. Olney City Park sign

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.