Historical Markers and War Memorials in Olney, Illinois
Olney is the county seat for Richland County
Olney is in Richland County
Richland County(10) ► ADJACENT TO RICHLAND COUNTY Clay County(3) ► Crawford County(19) ► Edwards County(4) ► Jasper County(7) ► Lawrence County(15) ► Wabash County(6) ► Wayne County(3) ►
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On South Whittle Avenue at West Chestnut Street on South Whittle Avenue.
Bower Park
Named in honor of William Bower. Previously known as Tower Park for a 125 foot tall brick-steel water tower (1892-1927), fire bell tower, city weight scales (1895-1966) located here.
William Bower
May 21, 1842 - . . . — — Map (db m178239) HM
On South Kitchell Avenue north of West Elm Street, on the right when traveling north.
Historic McsBurg School
In 1841, the year Richland County came to be, a primitive log structure located 4 miles north-northeast of Olney - at the intersection of what is now North Silver Road and East Tank Farm Lane - housed one of the . . . — — Map (db m178240) HM
On White Squirrel Drive east of North West Street (Illinois Route 130), on the left when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m178243) HM
On West Main Street west of Walnut Street, on the right.
During the Presidential Campaign of 1856 Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas spoke in Olney at separate political rallies held the same day - Saturday, September 20. In the morning Douglas spoke in a grove near town at a Democratic rally for . . . — — Map (db m178242) HM
On West Elm Street at South Kitchell Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Elm Street.
Ambrose Hopkinson built this home in 1874. Opened as museum in 1991. He built school bldg. at SW corner of intersect, it housed 10 grades and first H.S. in county. H.S. opened 1871. M.E. Church stood at NW corner of intersect. Kitchell Avenue named . . . — — Map (db m178241) HM
Near South East Street at U.S. 50, on the left when traveling south.
Robert Ridgway, leading American ornithologist, was born at Mount Carmel, Illinois, on July 2, 1850. As a youth he became interested in birds and sketched many specimens around his home. At the age of seventeen, he was appointed zoologist on a . . . — — Map (db m99118) HM
On North West Street (Illinois Route 130) at White Squirrel Drive, on the right when traveling north on North West Street.
In 1902, the first experimental solar power plant was built in Olney, Illinois by H.E. Willsie and John Boyle Jr., two American engineers. Their solar power plant was based on an 1885 design developed by the French engineer Tellier. Between 1892 and . . . — — Map (db m178244) HM
On West Main Street east of Kitchell Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
(top of base:)
In Memory
of the
World War Veterans
1917-1918
Erected by Richland Post No. 30
American Legion
1935
(base:)
Rededicated: to all veterans of all wars
Sponsored by
Richland County . . . — — Map (db m178238) WM