Pike County, Illinois
Abraham Lincoln
Atlas
Charles Lame House
Civil War Monument
Civil War Monument
Cobb Family Cabin
Colonel William Ross House
Commemorating
Cross of Gold Speech
Earl C Smith
East Pike General Store
First Baptist Church
General Grant and the 21st IL Regiment
Griggsville Fire Bell
Illinois
In Memoriam
In Memory of John Thomson Hodgen, M.D. and Henry Hodgen Mudd, M.D.
John G. Nicolay
John M. Hay
Lime Kiln
Lincoln's Pike County
Little Red Brick
M60 Tank
Mansion House Hotel
Michael J. Noyes House
Mormontown Site
New Philadelphia Townsite
Old Kinderhook School
Oldest Building in Pike County
Perry Church of Christ Memorial Park
Pike County's Lincoln
Potawatomi Trail of Death
Reuben Scanland House
Robert Earl Hughes
Site of First Building in Pleasant Hill
Site of New Philadelphia
Site of the Daniel H. Gilmer Home and Law Office.
Site Of The Free Press Newspaper
Skinner House
Star Hotel
The First U.S. Transcontinental Flight
The Ninety-Ninth Illinois Infantry
The Pike County Poet
The Printer's Devil
The Shastid House
Troutner Dam
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Veterans Memorial
Welcome to Illinois
Welcome to Lake Pittsfield
William Grimshaw House
The county was officially established in 1821 and was named after Zebulon Pike, a famous explorer. It quickly became known for its agriculture, with crops such as corn and wheat being grown on the fertile soil. The county also had a vibrant timber industry, as the dense forests provided valuable timber for construction and fuel.
In the mid-19th century, Pike County faced its most significant historical event - the infamous Mormon War. The conflict arose between the Mormon settlers, led by Joseph Smith, and the local residents who opposed their religious beliefs and practices. The tensions escalated to violence, resulting in several deaths and the eventual expulsion of the Mormons from the county.
Throughout the 20th century, Pike County continued to thrive as an agricultural community. However, its economy diversified with the growth of industries such as coal mining, oil drilling, and manufacturing. Today, Pike County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant community. Its rich history is celebrated through various historic sites, museums, and annual events that offer visitors a glimpse into the county's past.
Brief timeline of the history of Pike County, Illinois:
- 1821: Pike County was officially established on January 31st
- 1824: The first settlers arrived in the area
- 1828: The county's first courthouse was built in Atlas
- 1833: The county seat was permanently moved to Pittsfield
- 1835: The first newspaper, the Pike County Free Press, was published
- 1843: The first railroad, the Northern Cross Railroad, reached Pittsfield
- 1858: Abraham Lincoln, then a candidate for the U.S. Senate, delivered his famous "House Divided" speech in Pittsfield
- 1879: Pike County suffered a devastating tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life
- 1918: Pike County experienced an influenza pandemic, which resulted in numerous deaths
- 1940s-1950s: Pike County saw a decline in population as many residents migrated to urban areas
- 1987: The Pike County Historical Society was established to preserve the county's history
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Pike County, Illinois.