La Grange Lock and Dam Historic District
a.k.a. Lock and Dam 8
0.75 mi. S of Cty Rte 795N at Illinois River, Versailles, IL Local significance of the district:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1884. It was only 10 stories tall, but it was the first building to use a steel frame to support its weight, which allowed it to be much taller than traditional buildings made of brick or stone.
The first settlement in Brown County was established in 1823 near a trading post on the Illinois River. Over the years, the county saw an influx of settlers, primarily from the southern states, who were attracted by the fertile land and opportunities for farming. The county quickly became an agricultural hub, with crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans being the mainstay of the local economy.
During the mid-19th century, Brown County played a significant role in the Underground Railroad. The county was a known stopping point for fugitive slaves on their journey to freedom, with many local residents actively assisting and sheltering escaped slaves. This legacy of compassion and resistance to slavery is an important part of Brown County's history.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the county experienced economic growth and development. The construction of railroads and the expansion of infrastructure further boosted the local economy. Today, Brown County continues to thrive as a predominantly agricultural community, known for its picturesque landscapes and warm community spirit.
Brown County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Brown County, Illinois.
- Brown County established in 1839
- First settlers arrive in the area in the early 1820s
- Brown County's first post office, "Brownsville," opened in 1826
- County named after U.S. General Jacob Brown
- County seat of Mount Sterling established in 1835
- 1839 - First courthouse built in Mount Sterling
- In 1872, the first railroad line reached Brown County
- Early 1900s - Coal mining becomes an important industry in the county
- 1925 - A tornado destroys a significant portion of Mount Sterling
- 1949 - Brown County Fair Association formed
- 1981 - Brown County Historical Society founded