Honoring the rich history of rural western Illinois, and examining the problems we currently face
To gain a better idea of what the 16 county region known as Forgottonia actually looks like, we compiled some data from the 2010 census. What follows is an overview of each county's demographics. Click here for a profile of each county's presidential election results, and a brief overview about the history of each county.
To gain a better idea of what the 16 county region known as Forgottonia actually looks like, we compiled election data by county over the past 20 years. Please note, the purpose of this examination is to not endorse one political party or policy over another, but to gain a better understanding of this place we call Forgottonia. Although political party affiliation in Forgottonia over the past 20 years is complex and ever-changing, our study reveals that there has been and continues to be growing support for the Republican Party throughout Forgottonia. This trend occurred even before the presidential election of 2016, which subsequently sparked greater national interest in all things rural.
The purpose of this page is to share some resources that will help foster your ability to conduct an oral history interview. This interview could be with a professional historian, veteran, eye witness, author, journalist, or some other person connected to someone with a lived experience. While this page is written particularly for students of …
MORGAN COUNTY POPULATION: 35,547 INTERESTING FACTS: Named for Revolutionary war figure Daniel Morgan. Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln often served as lawyers in Morgan County. Two of the oldest colleges in the midwest, Illinois College founded in 1829 and MacMurray College founded in 1846, are located here. The first president of IL College was Edward …
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MERCER COUNTY POPULATION: 16,434 INTERESTING FACTS: Originally named for Hugh Mercer, a doctor during the American Revolution who died in battle. The land in Mercer County was originally meant for veterans of the War of 1812. MAJOR CITIES: Aledo: Population - 3,643. Aledo is the county seat of Mercer County. The town grew during the …
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McDONOUGH COUNTY POPULATION: 32,612 INTERESTING FACTS: Originally named after War 1812 hero Thomas Mcdonough. Land was originally set aside for veterans of the war of 1812. The county is actually a perfect square with the courthouse in its center. MAJOR CITIES: Macomb: Population - 21,516. Named for General Alexander Macomb from the war of 1812. …
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KNOX COUNTY POPULATION: 52,919 INTERESTING FACTS: Named for Henry Knox the 1st Secretary of War. Hosts the Knox County drive, similar to the Spoon River Scenic Drive. MAJOR CITIES: Galesburg: Population 32195. Home to Knox College and community college Carl Sandburg. Founded by Presbyterian minister George Washington Gale. Home to the 1st anti-slave society …
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HENDERSON COUNTY POPULATION: 7,331 INTERESTING FACTS: Named for Richard Henderson, founder of the Transylvania Company. MAJOR CITIES: Oquawka: Population - 1,371. Started as a successful fur trading post by brothers S.S. and Alexis Phelps. Oquawka is the Indian word for ¨Yellow Bank.¨ Serves as the County seat and the Henderson County Courthouse is the 2nd …
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HANCOCK COUNTY POPULATION: 19,104 INTERESTING FACTS: Named for John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Originally set aside as land for military veterans of War of 1812 but not settled until after the Blackhawk Indian War in 1832. Home to Nauvoo which was one of the biggest cities in the 1840s and headquarters of …
Continue reading "History of all 16 Counties: #7 Hancock County"
GREENE COUNTY POPULATION: 13,886, INTERESTING FACTS: Named for Revolutionary figure, Nathaniel Greene. Home of prehistoric archaeological Koster Site, one of the oldest known cemetery sites in North America and the Center for American Archaeology's most important discovery. MAJOR CITIES: White Hall: - Population 2,520 The town got its name from a long, white tavern owned …
Continue reading "History of all 16 Counties: #6 Greene County"
The Forgottonia Project 