Tag Archives: Illinois

The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

In last month’s blog, I spoke about the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and its tremendous importance to not only the Chicago area and Illinois, but to the opening to settlement of the entire United States west of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

Illinois and Michigan Canal Celebrates 175th Anniversary.

In April of 1848, the I & M Canal officially opened. From April of 2023 through March of 2024, the I & M Canal Corridor Association is having a year-long celebration of this event. Continue reading

Posted in General History, Illinois History, Lemont History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Illinois and Michigan Canal Celebrates 175th Anniversary.

The Des Plaines River

I get excited when I talk about Lemont’s waterways, because they are so important not only to the growth of Chicago, but to westward expansion across the entire continent. The only place all these important waterways come together is Lemont. … Continue reading

Posted in General History, Illinois History, Lemont History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Des Plaines River

Train Wreck in Lemont, July 1905

Last month’s post was about a train wreck in Lemont on the Alton-Chicago Railroad in 1873. Today we continue the subject of train wrecks with the Santa Fe derailment that also occurred in Lemont in 1905. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa … Continue reading

Posted in General History, Illinois History, Lemont History, Train wreck | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Miracle At Assisi Hill Now Available!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of my newest book, The Miracle at Assisi Hill, which has been two years in the making. It’s here at last, just in time for Holiday gifting (or gift yourself!).  For those of you … Continue reading

Posted in Lemont History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Miracle At Assisi Hill Now Available!

Taming the Wilderness #3

Exciting news! My new novel, The Mystery at Mount Forest Island. is now in the design phase at Amika Press and should be out soon! Meanwhile, enjoy reading the last article in the series about surveying Northern Illinois. If you … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois History | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TAMING THE ILLINOIS WILDERNESS #2

If you’ve walked through County Forest Preserve trails you have some idea of what Northern Illinois looked like before Illinois became a state in 1818. The land was wilderness: woods and grasslands… Continue reading

Posted in Illinois History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TAMING THE ILLINOIS WILDERNESS #2

Taming the Illinois Wilderness

If you’ve walked through County Forest Preserve trails you have some idea of what Northern Illinois looked like before Illinois became a state in 1818. The land was wilderness: woods and grasslands. Native American trails were intended for foot traffic. … Continue reading

Posted in General History, Illinois History, Lemont History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Taming the Illinois Wilderness

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ILLINOIS! 200 YEARS YOUNG TODAY!

  On December 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the Union. Last month’s blog was part one of an excerpt from my mystery novel, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods. Today’s post is the conclusion, and depicts what … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois History, Lemont History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HAPPY BIRTHDAY ILLINOIS! 200 YEARS YOUNG TODAY!

Illinois Bicentennial: Life in Northern Illinois Two Hundred Years Ago

ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL LIFE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO PART ONE   After the Revolutionary War, the Northwest Territories were set aside as  lands belonging to the newly-formed United States. The territories were Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois History, Lemont History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Illinois Bicentennial: Life in Northern Illinois Two Hundred Years Ago