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 it was surrendered to Great . . . — — Map (db m136729) HM
On U.S. 54 at Illinois Route 96, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 54.
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 U.S. 54 2.5 miles east of Mississippi River, on the right when traveling east.
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
On Bainbridge Street south of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
To the Union soldiers
War of the Rebellion
1861-1865
(north side)
Members of John McTucker Post 154 G.A.R. Dept. of ILL.
N.R. Taggart 3 Mo. Cav. • Isri Smith 32 Ill. Inf. • Seth Grammer 78 Ill. Inf. • P. Dickson 30 Ind. Inf. • . . . — — Map (db m152175) WM
On 2000N at Broad Street (Illinois Highway 106), on the right when traveling east on 2000N.
New Philadelphia
Townsite
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
Founded in 1836 by Frank McWorter, New Philadelphia is the first known town planned and legally registered by an African American in the United States. . . . — — Map (db m134869) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) near County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
A blacksmith's shop operated near the blacktop road until 1915. Many farmers, including Frank McWorter, had some blacksmithing tools and skills, but they also relied on professional smiths to make and repair iron objects for use on the farm and . . . — — Map (db m302354) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
We have returned to the "front door" of New Philadelphia. David A. Kittle, an Ohio native, operated a store here in 1850. We know that Chester Churchill, the founder of Kinderhook, was licensed to sell goods in New Philadelphia in the 1830s and . . . — — Map (db m302351) HM
Near 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Route 2159E) south of County Route 2, on the left when traveling south.
Free Frank and Free Lucy came to Illinois in 1830, bringing with them four of their seven children. Their son Solomon and eldest daughters, Juda and Sarah, remained in bondage in Kentucky. Solomon's freedom was purchased in 1835. Free Frank . . . — — Map (db m302307) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
Free Frank McWorter was born in slavery in South Carolina in 1777. His owner took him to Kentucky,
where he met his wife Lucy, enslaved on a
neighboring farm. With the permission of his
owner, Frank worked for wages. He . . . — — Map (db m302476) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
As you rejoin the outbound path, look across the blacktop to the place where Free Frank McWorter's house stood. Most of what you see to the north of town belonged to the McWorter family well into the 20th century. Born in slavery in South . . . — — Map (db m302410) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
Beyond Frank McWorter's farm, the railroad runs diagonally across the township. When the railroad was built in 1869 it did not stop in New Philadelphia, but rather in Hadley Station, less than three-quarters of a mile to the northwest. Some . . . — — Map (db m302365) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
As an unincorporated town, New
Philadelphia residents were counted as part
of Hadley Township by the U.S. Census
takers. By comparing the census schedules
to property tax records and family histories,
we are able to estimate that the number . . . — — Map (db m302489) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) near County Road 2, on the left.
James Washington was born an enslaved person in Lincoln County, Missouri. Before 1890 he brought his family to New Philadelphia to obtain a better education for his four children. He married Mary McWorter and farmed very successfully nearby. His . . . — — Map (db m302415) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Route 2, on the left when traveling south.
John Bixler was an early resident. While living in Kentucky in 1824, Bixler freed his slave, Kezia Clark, and her one-year-old daughter, Louisa. Bixler and Clark left Kentucky, settling in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, before coming to New . . . — — Map (db m302364) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
These benches are placed here for your peace and reflection by the friends of LeMoyne Washington, a grandson of James Washington. LeMoyne was born nearby and spent his life except for his time attending college at Macomb, in this and the Barry . . . — — Map (db m302457) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
Martin and George Kimbro bought the old schoolhouse, and researchers speculate they moved it across the road to Block 9, the only property they ever owned. Originally named Martin Van Buren and George Washington, the brothers were born in . . . — — Map (db m302467) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
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
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
Frank McWorter and his family worked all of their lives to gain freedom and abolish slavery. McWorter purchased freedom for his wife in 1817 and himself in 1819. He traded his saltpeter operation in 1829 so that son Young Frank could return a . . . — — Map (db m302485) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
New Philadelphia Soldiers
Soldiers known to have lived in the town of New Philadelphia:
William H. Austin. Co. K, 16th U.S. Infantry.
Clark P. Beebe. Co. K, 99th Illinois Infantry. Killed in service.
Harrison Brown. Co. K, . . . — — Map (db m302487) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
Before turning onto Ann Street, take a moment to survey the rolling landscape. Most of the blocks before you were never developed; possibly they were too low and swampy. To the southeast, across the fields and nestled in the woods, is the . . . — — Map (db m302414) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
You are in the approximate center of Block 8. This was the hub of the community in the mid-19th century. Rev. Luce lived here and kept the post office. The school house that Rev. Luce and Free Frank built served the town until 1874, when a new . . . — — Map (db m302411) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
The National Park Service has determined that the New Philadelphia town site has made a significant contribution to the understanding of the Underground Railroad in American history and therefore meets the requirements for inclusion in
The . . . — — Map (db m302493) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
The New Philadelphia community was racially and ethnically integrated. Americans of both African and European descent came from Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, New York, and the New England states.
[Inset township . . . — — Map (db m302477) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
These three buildings are not original to New Philadelphia. However, they stood in Pike County in the same era and they have interesting histories. Rescued by the landowner and placed over surviving New Philadelphia foundations, they protect the . . . — — Map (db m302472) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
Settlement of New Philadelphia accelerated in the late 1840s. One promising new settler was Rev. Christopher Sanborn Luce. Like Spaulding Burdick, Luce was a Yankee shoemaker, but he was also a Free Will Baptist preacher and taught school. Free . . . — — Map (db m302366) HM
On Township Road 2000N 2.5 miles east of Township Road 2000N (Illinois Highway 106), on the right when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
The town consisted of 144 lots laid out by a black man FREE FRANK MCWORTER. In 1819 he bought his freedom from slavery, and eventually freedom for 16 family members for $14,000. He was the first settler (1829) in Hadley Township. Free Frank was . . . — — Map (db m134870) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
You are standing in the oldest part of the town. To the west was the home and workshop of Spaulding Burdick. One of the first residents, he was a shoemaker from Rhode Island, who lived here with his second wife, Ann Hadsell, and their children. . . . — — Map (db m302323) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
You are facing Main Street and looking south towards Block 13 where Louisa Clark McWorter's house stood. The daughter of Kezia Clark, Louisa married Free Frank McWorter's son Squire in 1843. Louisa and Squire built this house about 1847 and . . . — — Map (db m302413) HM
On County Route 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Route 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Route 2.
[Historical] Map of Philadelphia
The Archaeological Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserve our
nation's most important archaeological sites,
owns 9.14 acres of the historic town site.
Under the stewardship of The . . . — — Map (db m302134) HM
On County Road 2 at 306th Lane/Broad Street (Road 2159E), on the right when traveling east on County Road 2.
Two Burdick families lived in New Philadelphia. The Spaulding Burdick family was one of the first to live within the town limits.
Descendants of the Abel R. Burdick family built the last house in New Philadelphia. Spaulding and Abel were . . . — — Map (db m302491) HM
On 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Road 2, on the left when traveling south.
Visitors are invited to take the self-guided tour with or without a mobile device by following the numbered signs along the path. Those with mobile devices are welcome to download the free app tour New Phil AR for iOS and Android at . . . — — Map (db m302475)
On Illinois Route 106, on the right when traveling west.
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
On Highway 100 (Milton Street) at Highway 106 (Main Street), on the right when traveling north on Highway 100 (Milton Street).
Built by a Pittsfield Company: sold 1875 to D.W. Stoner. Bought by James Foreman. East Pike County's best known general store for many years. — — Map (db m137287) HM
On Perry Fishhook Road, on the right when traveling south on Perry Fishhook Road.
May we not only remember he was the worlds largest man from the small community of Fishhook, but also an average man with an enormous heart for people — — Map (db m135380) HM
On 492nd Street 0.1 miles north of 250th Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Purple Martin Boulevard (Illinois Route 107) at Corey Street, in the median on Purple Martin Boulevard.
This bell hung approximately where City Hall is today - January 2021 - on South Corey Street
The fire bell is different than church or dinner bells. To make it ring louder, the clapper was pulled instead of the bell swinging. — — Map (db m181412) HM
On Illinois Route 106 0.2 miles west of 427th Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
On South Stanford Street, on the right when traveling north.
Built 1858
Remodelled 1905
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Restored By the Griggsville Preservation and Restoration Society
Open to Public May 30 1982 — — Map (db m135374) HM
On Purple Martin Boulevard (Quincy Street), in the median.
The Griggsville community would like to thank the men and women of the Armed Forces, who have served or are serving now, to protect our freedom. Let us not forget them, today, tomorrow, forever. — — Map (db m137280) WM
On Grand Street just east of Perry Street, on the left when traveling east.
A memorial to the old Kinderhook school which once stood on this site, and to all who walked through its portals, ~the students, the teachers, the administrators, the concerned parents, the friends.
Hush, ~I think I hear the . . . — — Map (db m162301) HM
On Pittsfield Road at Vin Fiz Road, on the left when traveling south on Pittsfield Road.
Calbraith “Cal” Rodgers, the first man to fly across the United States, landed near this spot on Oct. 10, 1911. The flight took 49 days. Nebo was one of 68 recorded landing sites.
Rodgers’ aircraft was a Wright EX biplane named the “Vin Fiz” . . . — — Map (db m128623) HM
On Griggsville Road at Pittsfield Road, on the right when traveling west on Griggsville Road.
Built 1834 Stage coach stop, school, dweling, church. Orig enclosed in a 3-story 12-room edifice which was razed in 1965 revealing 1834 original. — — Map (db m135383) HM
On Main Street at Cross Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Front Enjoy this park set aside for quiet reflection. It memorializes 177 years of Christian spirit and community service.
Back
Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
[lines of sheet music]
1837 The congregation was established . . . — — Map (db m137281) HM
On East Main Street at Federal Street on East Main Street.
On Oct. 5, 1838, about 800 Potawatomi Indians camped at McKee’s Creek near here on the forced removal from Indiana to Kansas, known as the Trail of Death. They crossed the Illinois River by ferry. Leaving the river they had to seek water, because of . . . — — Map (db m135378) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
Our community honors each person who answers a grateful nation’s call to defend the Constitution of the United States and to preserve Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for all Americans.
A.D. 2013
“We have met the enemy and . . . — — Map (db m137270) WM
On West Washington Street (U.S. 54) at North Madison Street, on the left when traveling east on West Washington Street.
(front:)
Visited Pike County from 1839-1858
Practiced law in Pike County
(back, top:)
Lincoln had many friends in Pike County
And is documented to
Have visited many homes here.
(back, bottom:)
Charles . . . — — Map (db m188218) HM
On Fayette Street, on the right when traveling east.
Lincoln visited here. Lincoln’s 1858 Senatorial campaign visit to Pittsfield prompted a test firing of the cannon which was a popular campaign practice of the time. Charles Lame was seriously injured during the test firing. Lincoln walked down to . . . — — Map (db m128777) HM
On East Washington Street (Illinois Route 106) west of Lashmett Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Built 1845-1846, partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1896. Lincoln stayed here during his 1858 Senatorial campaign visit. Ross served as an aide to Gen. Atkinson and was responsible for Lincoln's appointment to company captaincy during the . . . — — Map (db m128771) HM
On East Washington Street west of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling west.
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, who practiced at the Pike County Bar in early days and who spoke in this park in the Senatorial Campaign of 1858; John Hay, author of Pike County Ballads, diplomatist and Secretary of State 1898 - 1905, who . . . — — Map (db m78650) HM
On West Washington Street (U.S. 54) west of North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling west.
In loving and grateful tribute
to Pike County's Union Soldiers
of the Civil War, the 3,132 heroic
men who offered their lives as
sacrifice to their country, 1861-1865,
and, joining hands in common cause,
repeated the oath of America's . . . — — Map (db m128708) WM
On East Washington Street (U.S. 54) just west of North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling west.
In memory of
John Thomas Hodgen, M.D.
Born, Hodgenville, KY. January 17. 1826
Died, St. Louis, MO. April 28. 1882
Professor of surgery, St. Louis Medical College
President of American Medical Association
and
Henry Hodgen Mudd, . . . — — Map (db m128675) HM
On Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
John G Nicolay met Abraham Lincoln in the fall of 1856 when he was editor of the county paper in Pittsfield. On that autumn day Pittsfield was in a ferment political excitement. A big meeting had been arranged and Nicolay was on the committee. There . . . — — Map (db m137272) HM
On West Washington Street (U.S. 54) at North Madison Street, on the left when traveling east on West Washington Street.
(front:)
Editor of the Pike County Free Press
Marshal of U.S. Supreme Court
(back:)
Married Therena Bates in Pittsfield
June 15, 1865
John Hay was his best man — — Map (db m188219) HM
On West Washington Street (U.S. 54) at North Madison Street, on the left when traveling west on West Washington Street.
(front:)
Author of Pike County Ballads
U.S. Secretary of State 1897-1905
(back:)
Author, Historian, and Diplomat
Student at Thomson Academy in Pittsfield
1849-1852 — — Map (db m188217) HM
On Washington Street (U.S. 54) at Madison Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Street.
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
On East Washington Street (U.S. 54) at South Madison Street, on the right when traveling east on East Washington Street.
The Mansion House Hotel was built in 1838 by William Watson, the first settler of Pittsfield. According to old records, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas would gather in the lobby between court sessions while waiting for a verdict. Future Illinois . . . — — Map (db m128769) HM
On East Washington Street (Illinois Route 106) 0.3 miles east of South Illinois Street, on the right when traveling east.
Michael Noyes was a native of New Hampshire and settled in Pittsfield in 1841, after having spent years in Pike County, Mo. He was the founder and editor of Pike County’s first newspaper in 1841, “The Sucker and Farmer’s Record.” He was . . . — — Map (db m128779) HM
On West Washington Street (U.S. 54) at Madison Street, on the right when traveling west on West Washington Street.
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
On West Washington Street, on the right when traveling west.
Scanland was mayor of Pittsfield and a prominent attorney and judge. He backed Lincoln in the 1858 Senate race and Lincoln stayed here during his visit in October 1858. One of the stories associated with this home is of Mrs. Scanland's turkey . . . — — Map (db m128780) HM
On South Monroe Street at East Washington Street (U.S. 54), on the right when traveling north on South Monroe Street.
Abraham Lincoln visited the home and law office of Daniel Gilmer often. Gilmer was a leading attorney and Whig supporter. One day Gilmer’s nine year old daughter Elizabeth, known to everyone as Lizzie, was swinging on the front gate when Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m128773) HM
On North Monroe Street north of East Washington Street (U.S. 54), on the right when traveling north.
John Nicolay was only 16 years old when he gained employment as a printer’s devil at this site; he would eventually become the sole proprietor of the Free Press Newspaper. When old friends Tom Shastid and Abraham Lincoln met one day in Pittsfield, . . . — — Map (db m128772) HM
On Jefferson Street at Monroe Street, on the right when traveling west on Jefferson Street.
Built by Capt. George T. Edwards, born March 25, 1814, who emigrated from Tennessee in 1828, and settled in Pittsfield in 1835. Capt. Edwards was active in a number of businesses, including teaming, farming, grocery, mail-contracting & hotel . . . — — Map (db m128778) HM
On Washington Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
On East Washington Street (Illinois Route 106) east of North Illinois Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
On East Jefferson Street at North Illinois Street, on the right when traveling west on East Jefferson Street.
John G. Shastid moved his family to Pittsfield in 1836 from New Salem, where he had been a neighbor to Abraham Lincoln.
Pittsfield was the county seat, yet there were only six houses here at the time. John bought one of them. Finding the . . . — — Map (db m128775) HM
On Washington Street, on the right when traveling west.
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
On 415th Street at Lake Pittsfield Drive, on the right when traveling north on 415th Street.
Lake Pittsfield was built by the City of Pittsfield for water supply purposes as part of the Big Blue Creek Watershed. The first multiple purpose watershed project pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of the United States . . . — — Map (db m135258) HM
On West Perry Street at North Clinton Street, on the right when traveling west on West Perry Street.
Grimshaw was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia, PA, and came to Pike County in 1833. A prominent local attorney, he was adjutant of the 17th Ill. Militia and a delegate to both state constitutional conventions as a Whig Party member. He authored . . . — — Map (db m128770) HM
On U.S. 54 at Jim Town Hollow Road, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 54.
Dedicated to the members of Maj. Sam. Hays Post 477 G.A.R. Dept. of Ill.
And other comrades who fought to keep our country undivided and our flag maintained unsullied
1861-1865
— — Map (db m152173) WM
On 470th Street 0.3 miles north of 290th Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
In the mid-1800s, the air here was filled with the earthy smell of wood smoke and lime being rendered into powder. Half a mile to to north, a steamboat stopped to pick up produce from farmers and merchant good. Griggsville Landing featured a . . . — — Map (db m147531) HM
