Historical Markers in Jackson County, Illinois-- Caffeine until Cocktails
Historical Markers of Southern Illinois: Jackson County, Illinois
Did you know Jackson County, Illinois has SIXTEEN historical markers? Well I didn’t either! I feel as if when you live somewhere your whole life you don’t find yourself as interested in the history of the area! If you follow this link you get exact locations of all 16 of the historical markers here in Jackson County! However, in true Caffeine until Cocktails fashion I am going to break down this historical markers for you in more fun way!
Carbondale College & Southern Illinois College —The start of Southern Illinois University was in 1856 when Presbyterians founded Carbondale College. Strugglng during the Civil War, the College was sold to the First Christian Church in the mid-1860s and renamed Southern Illinois College. This historical site is located at the entrance of the Carbondale Police Station.
Colonel Lindorf Ozborn —Colonel Lindorf Ozburn, born in Jackson County, Illinois in 1823, married Diza Glenn, John A. Logan's cousin. This is historical site is located in Murphysboro outside of the court house.
Company H 27th Illinois Infantry — Another civil war dedication located in Murphysboro, IL. Company H was raised to arms by Attorney McHenry Brooks, and joined the Union Army on August 28th, 1861, only four months after the start of the American Civil War. Company H was formally distinguished as the 27th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Company H fought valiantly and proved themselves over and over again throughout several significant battles of the Civil War, including the Battles of Belmont, Island #10, Stones River, Chickaumauga, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign. A Historical Marker dedicated to Company H is located in Murphysboro, IL.
Conrad Will of Brownsville —Dr. Conrad Will, the “Father of Jackson County,” was born in Pennsylvania in 1779 and came to Illinois in 1813. This dedication is also outside the courthouse in Murphysboro.
Daniel Harmon Brush — The co-founder of Carbondale stood in support of the union. The celebration of his efforts are posted/dedicated in Carbondale just off Rt. 51 near the hospital.
Dr. John Logan— This marker is located on Walnut Street in Murphysboro. Dr. John Logan gave the land for Murphysboro and was the father of General John A. Logan.
Elizabeth Jenkins Logan —Also located in Murphysboro. Elizabeth was the mother of General John A. Logan and was not pleased when he joined the military.
First Coal Mine in Illinois — The first coal mine in Illinois was located one-half mile south of this landmark along the south bank of the Big Muddy River. You can find this historical landmark also in Murphysboro.
Israel Blanchard Another historical marker locaterd in Murphysboro.
“In August 1862, federal authorities detained Israel Blanchard, John A. Logan's brother-in-law, as he walked near the court house. Blanchard was subsequently taken to the Logan Hotel, and arrested on vague charges related to alleged anti-war activities. This was Blanchard's second wartime arrest.
Blanchard's arrest, one of many taking place across Illinois and the nation, raised serious questions about the nature of civil liberties during wartime. The constitutional system of checks and balances was particularly strained during this period as the president, the Congress, and the federal courts struggled to balance individual liberty and national security.”Jackson County, Illinois —located on the courthouse lawn you will the find the hisotrical landmarking dedicating the “official Jackson County” that was created from Randolph and Johnson County.
Logan Day 1914 In memory of the Logan family, Murphysboro celebrated its first Logan Day on August 3rd, 1914. This was Illinois’ second Logan Day. The first occurred in Chicago in 1897. Logan Day brought 25,000 people to Murphysboro. Among the attendees were Illinois Governor Edward F. Dunne, who dedicated a monument at Logan's birthplace, and Logan's daughter Mary Logan Tucker.
Major General John A. Logan THE REASON WE HAVE MEMORIAL DAY but seriously—
”John A. Logan was born here in 1826. He fought in the Battle of Bull Run as a Democratic Congressman. Logan joined the Union Army and before the Civil War's end he earned the rank of Major General. Experiences in the war changed Logan from a supporter of slavery to a champion of equal rights for African Americans. After the Civil War Logan returned to Congress as a Republican. He served three terms in the U.S. Senate and was a Republican Vice-Presidential candidate in 1884. Logan died in Washington, D.C. in 1886. His greatest legacy is the creation of Memorial Day as a national holiday.”The S.S. General Lyon Disaster located in Murphysboro commemorating the lives lost on their journey home. Their journey home began March 29th, 1865, aboard the S.S. General Lyon in Wilmington, North Carolina. Two days later the ship caught fire and sank in rough weather off Cape Hatteras losing 500 lives. Two hundred of the 205 veterans from the 56th Illinois died.
Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day Celebration — located in Carbondale and dedicated to those who died in the Civil War. General John A. Logan delivered the keynote address, saying "Every man's life belongs to his country, and no man has the right to refuse when his country calls for it."
I hope this blog was educational and helpful. I know that this is the most normal topic to find on my blog but truly the history of the Southern Illinois region is super impressive. Hope you all have enjoyed this tiny history lesson.
-Jessica
