Published: July 16, 2008 03:13 pm            

New book highlights town

Historical society book reprints two supplements from turn-of-the-century papers

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — In 1910, there were two harness shops on the downtown square here, Hamilton County Historical Society’s vice president says.

That’s just one example of the local history contained in “McLeansboro Illustrated,” the historical society’s latest publication.

The book reprints two special supplements — “used to promote the community” — which the McLeansboro Times newspaper published, one in 1900 and the other in 1910, Ryan Nelson, the historical society’s vice president and publications chairman, said.

“McLeansboro was emerging as a municipality at the time,” Nelson said, citing the recent establishment of its water works system and electric light and power plant.

The supplements are, he said, “really a snapshot of what McLeansboro was like 100 years ago.”

The books contain about 175 photos, he said.

“We own a few sets of the original supplements,” Nelson said, “and we thought the people of Hamilton County would appreciate seeing them.”

Apparently, they do. The book’s first printing numbered 100 copies, and the historical society received pre-orders for 120, Nelson said.

“It’s already one of our most successful books,” he said.

Since 2005, the historical society has printed or reprinted a half dozen books, Nelson said. Past Hamilton County Historical Society publications include “Grandma Deem’s Obituaries, Hamilton County, Ill., 1917-1925” and two hard-cover compilations of Goshen Trails, the historical society’s bulletin.

The sales of one book “help put out the next one,” he said.

Its publication efforts have also helped boost membership in the historical society, Nelson said. In 2005, when the Goshen Trails books were published, membership jumped from about 35 to 120. Currently, there are about 100 members and 26 business members, he said.

This year is the 200th anniversary of the first recorded reference to the Goshen Trail, and the historical society is planning a special activity to mark the occasion, but plans have not been finalized, Nelson said.

“McLeansboro Illustrated” is available at McCoy Memorial Library “and maybe other places to be determined,” Nelson said.



FYI:

The Hamilton County Historical Society Museum, on the second floor of McCoy Memorial Library, is open 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of every month.

        

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