Surveyed and filed on September 16, 1836, New Philadelphia was the first town in the United States founded by an African American.
[Inset plat map reads]
Map of "Philadelphia" from the 1872 Atlas Map of Pike County, Illinois. . . . — — Map (db m302480) HM
This section, settled in 1820, by Ebenezer Franklin, Daniel Shinn and the four Ross brothers, was known as Ross Settlement until 1823 when it was named Atlas. Pursuant to an act passed by the Illinois Legislature, in session, at Vandalia, in 1822, . . . — — Map (db m78653) HM
On February 22, 1839, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refugees driven from Missouri under the “Extermination Order” of Governor Lilburn Boggs, settled on this site. The property was owned by Thomas Edwards, who later . . . — — Map (db m78649) HM
The Ninety-Ninth Illinois Infantry, Pike County's famous Civil War regiment and first regiment out of state under call of 1862, was mustered at Florence Illinois and embarked at this spot for St. Louis, August 23rd, 1862. Was 62 days under fire. . . . — — Map (db m128674) HM WM
Abraham Lincoln was a frequent visitor to Pike County.
He left his judicial circuit and crossed the Illinois River to practice law with many of Pike County's leading attorneys, forming close associations with prominent Whig and . . . — — Map (db m68918) HM
This was the home of distinguished agricultural leader, Earl Clemmons Smith, born in Pike County February 19, 1881. In 1907, Smith began farming his grandmother Clemmons' land at this site. Smith became active in the early national farm bureau . . . — — Map (db m78648) HM
Colonel Ulysses S. Grant and the 21st Illinois infantry arrived in Quincy, Illinois, around noon on 11 July 1861 having completed the last leg of their journey across Illinois.
From Quincy, the troops were ferried across the Mississippi River . . . — — Map (db m150026) HM
In 1673 the areas of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers were explored by Frenchmen Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette. Their voyages resulted in French claims on the area until 1763 when, by the Treaty of Paris, France ceded the land to . . . — — Map (db m78655) HM
Pike County, Illinois was organized January 31, 1821,
named for Zebulon Pike, early explorer of the Louisiana Purchase and general in the War of 1812. The first settlement in 1820 was founded by Ebenezer Franklin, followed by Daniel . . . — — Map (db m68919) HM
The Champ Clark Bridge was opened in 1928 and connected Louisiana, Missouri with the state of Illinois over the Mississippi River. The Louisiana and Pittsfield Chambers of Commerce agreed on the need for this bridge. This five-span Baltimore . . . — — Map (db m156374) HM
First woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly
"Not until our own time was the phrase 'We the People'
changed to include women."
-First Inaugural Address
January 4, 1923
Lottie Holman O'Neill was born on November 17, 1878, in . . . — — Map (db m270339) HM
Abraham Lincoln formed some very close friendships with several citizens of Pittsfield. Among the most prominent ones were Milton Hay, John Milton Hay, and John George Nicolay. Milton Hay was born in 1817, and he moved to Pittsfield in 1840. He was . . . — — Map (db m128776) HM
Beyond the river banks
The quick ride across the Brussels Ferry opens to a world of pristine countryside, flowering hillsides and a slow-paced lifestyle for which Calhoun County has become known during every season of the year.
. . . — — Map (db m225178) HM
Locomotive #2542 — a mountain type locomotive — was originally manufactured as locomotive
#2906 in 1921 in Lima Ohio. In 1942 the wheel arrangement was reconfigured from a 2-10-2 to a
4-8-2 arrangement, and it was then designated as locomotive . . . — — Map (db m202251) HM
A grateful community honors those men and women who have served this nation in the United State's Armed forces.
Although you may not have been known by all, you will never be forgotten by any.
In God We Trust
Pike County, Illinois est. 1821 — — Map (db m128629) WM
The fertile prairies in Illinois attracted the attention of French trader Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette as they explored the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in 1673. France claimed this region until 1763 when she surrendered it to Great . . . — — Map (db m272438) HM
When John George Nicolay was sixteen years old, a friend showed him an ad in The Pike County Free Press newspaper dated May 11, 1848. It advertised for "An intelligent boy, 14 to 17 years of age, who can read and write, to learn the Printing . . . — — Map (db m128774) HM
Pike County was formed on December 9, 1815; carved out of Marion County. Her first Seat of Justice was located in the bustling community of Holmesville (Ratified by the Mississippi General Assembly
n December 11, 1816). Situated on the Bogue . . . — — Map (db m129213) HM
