For decades, Salem had signs on each main road going into town telling African Americans that they were not allowed in town after sundown. Sundown towns like Anna were places where Black people were allowed in during the day Read More Dusk settles over Anna, Ill., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. WebCategory:Sundown towns in Illinois Pages in category "Sundown towns in Illinois" The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total. I think theyre overreacting a little bit.. Loewen believed The federal government passed Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Act; in addition, in Jones v. Mayer, the Supreme Court held that an 1866 civil rights law bars discrimination in the rental and sale of property. The per capita income for the city was $16,954. This part of southern Illinois had at least a half-dozen sundown towns. Residents do not want to be known as excluding, especially on racial or religious grounds, because that would say bad things about themthat they are racist, for one. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 1860s-80s In 1860, Piatt County was divided into 8 townships. Their clubhouse, a few miles outside Vienna, is an old gas station, later turned into a convenience store and now a gathering place for a dozen or so friends. At first things went well. WebThe Massena observer. In an article in the Pekin Daily Times on Sept. 14, 2014, reporter Sharon Woods Harris wrote that the Pekin Human Rights Committeeworked to combat the citys racist reputation by hosting a diversity festival downtown. The Bashful Nine baseball team was the first of its kind created in 1870. But mostly its a place for a bunch of gray-haired men to pass the time, drink light beer and relive a sliver of their childhoods every day at noon with reruns of Gunsmoke, the TV show about a marshal whose steely nerve and Colt revolver kept the peace in the American West. Here is how we got started; Indians To start off, were going way back to when the Indians started settling in good ol Macon County. I also remember hearing that area towns of Arcola, Monticello, and Villa Grove were sundown towns'(2004) Pastor Marvin Hightower, president of the Peoria Chapter of the NAACP,believes that Pekin city officials have been working hard to overcome Pekin'spast "sundown town" reputation. The local Black residents she interviewed reported significant improvements in the way they were treated. With some information, you may be able to triangulate with confirmation from others. A sundown town or grey town refers to a community that set rules intended to keep Black people from living there. The second courthouse was built in 1856 after the first one had been torn down. This story was produced with the support of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site was created by Matt Cheney, revised by OddBird, copyrighted by James W. Loewen and heirs (Nick Loewen), and is maintained by Phil Huckelberry and Stephen Berrey. My mouth must have dropped to the floor because the prosecutor looked at me in a disgusting way and said This BOY should have known better. In 1841, the first jail was built. Pekin likely gained its reputation morethan a century ago, and events throughout history built on the notoriety. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Department I remember hearing stories of miniature race riots in the stands at the football games when Pekin played Manual. Early Settlers The first settler to arrive in Monticello was George Hayworth. But 60 years ago, there was a small collection of houses along that stretch of 7th Street, where the outer edges of Vienna bump up against Little Cache Creek. We will be stopping frequently now. Many communities remain all-white today; whether blacks can reside safely and comfortably within them remains unclear. Connections Indiana State of the midwest United States List Gallery Activity 1. Harris also reported that Pekin Community High School students had designed a diversity mural in 2013, and the committee had decided to place it as a free-standing sign near one of the main roads into Pekin. Ive never had anybody say anything (racist) to me in Vienna, but Ive definitely felt the way they felt about me.. Specifically, we analyzed research out of Virginia Commonwealth University that mapped the Klans in each area and gave a history of their recruitment from 1915-1940. Another of the men later pulls back his shirt to show that he now carries a .357-magnum revolver tucked into his jeans, worried about the unrest that occasionally flared during this years racial protests. The ride was the perfect length. In this area, near the borders of both Missouri and Kentucky, young Black people were raised to be aware of which towns they should avoid. The rules of a sundown town were simple: Black people were allowed to pass through during the day or go in to shop or work, but they had to be gone by nightfall. But with her oldest grandson edging up on adolescence, she knows they should leave soon, before they have to worry about such things as confrontations with police. Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. In a 2014 research paper for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, sociologist Rene Pulfer noted that race relations in Pekin remained tense in the 1980s, describing public, socialand work places as hot spots for racist activity. Pulfer's research included interviews with Black area residents, and one respondent was advised not to take a job in Pekin. Martin told him about how Monticello was and Haneline decided that it sounded like a pretty good place to live, so he moved here. Pressure from UU congregationssome of which moved to or formed in white suburbs in the 1960s precisely because they were homogeneouscan prompt communities to take these steps, especially when that pressure comes buttressed with solid information about their sundown past. 2018. These areas have managed to enforce racial segregation through either intimidation or discriminatory local laws, or a combination of both. 32.3% of households were one person and 17.2% were one person aged 65 or older. This includes T-Ball, P-Nut League, 1st-3rd Understand History Monticello's first resident was George Haworth. In 45, the first drug store opened. About 6.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. The Show Gets Started In 1837, a committee was made up of four was formed to help decide how to really build a town. If he hasnt felt the sting of outright racism in Vienna, hes exhausted by how residents constantly watch him. One of her daughters lives next door. [13], Coordinates: 383742N 885654W / 38.6282N 88.9482W / 38.6282; -88.9482. In 61, the Monticello Railroad Company was founded. James Loewen, a historian who spent years studying sundown towns, found them in the suburbs of Detroit, New York City and Chicago. Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jeffersondesigned and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than forty years. James W. Loewen is a sociologist and best-selling author. Sundown Towns. Later, in 1842, some of the Delaware Indians robbed her grave and scattered around the area. The violence erupted in August, 1954, after the arrest of a 31-year-old resident, Thomas Lee Latham, who was accused of brutally beating an elderly white woman with a soft drink bottle and trying to rape her granddaughter. Haneline had four sons: Abraham, Jacob, James,and Nathan. In 80, the first telephone service started. Haworth did not remain, but in 1829, James A. Piatt purchased Haworth's small log cabin. Never has been, really.. . then ask, How do you know that? Ask for details and look for written sources, such as some ordinance about keeping out blacks (or another group). 1840s In April 1841, the first county election was held, John Piatt was selected as the first sheriff. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. At the end of my address, which was on ideas I explored in my best-selling book Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, I mentioned my ongoing research on American towns that are intentionally all whitesometimes known as sundown towns. I invited those who knew something about the subject to come forward and talk with me. Confirmed examples near Champaign County include Arcola, DeLand, Monticello and Paxton. Its rarely clear anymore. I remember hearing about how upset some people got when the high school mascot was changed (from the Pekin 'Chinks'to the Pekin Dragons). Farmer City. This is a deeply conservative part of the nation 77 percent of the county voted for President Donald Trump in the 2016 elections; just 19 percent went for Hillary Clinton. After all, UUs did play a major role in abolishing slavery and after the Civil War in inviting African Americans to move to their communities. Assumption. Sundown Towns are all-white communities, neighborhoods, or counties that exclude Blacks and other minorities through the use of discriminatory laws, harassment, and threats or use of violence. the town was known as "Tom's Town" in honor of Thomas Bondurant. It was something that was known, said James Davis, 27, a Black truck driver from the nearby town of Cairo, which is largely Black. Salem is located in central Marion County at 3838N 8857W / 38.633N 88.950W / 38.633; -88.950 (38.6282, -88.9482). Follow up by asking, Who knows the most about the history of the town? Every town has an expert. Ive had Black friends. Messner to buy the Pekin Daily Times. James Martin sold his house to Haneline. Oral history is fine, so long as it is solid. [8], At the 2000 census there were 7,909 people in 3,249 households, including 2,082 families, in the city. For the visitor, it offers a railroad museum, an art-and-sculpture garden, and some beautiful historic homes. The grandchildren are biracial. Virginia Commonwealth University that mapped the Klans, These Are The 10 Most Boring Cities In Illinois, These Are The 10 Best Places To Live In Illinois, These Are The 10 Worst Places To Live In Illinois, These Are The 10 Snobbiest Places In Illinois. Usually they say nothing about African Americans or racial exclusion, but there can be surprises. Photo by T. Q. on Unsplash. Monticello is in Piatt County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. 1987 was the year of that very special anniversary. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. Openly racist laws are now largely illegal, and few towns want the infamy of being known for keeping out Black people. How to find out if your community intentionally excluded African Americans. An Indiana resident who used to travel to Lake Schaffer for the summer stated, I vividly recall a faded billboard on the south side of Hwy 24 enroute to the lake that declared, This is a Sun Down Town. The number of active members of the KKK is much smaller these days. Sundown Towns -- There Are Still 137 Sundown Towns Across 21 States. Independent sundown towns range in size from hamlets like Alix, Arkansas, population 185, to large cities like Appleton, Wisconsin, with 57,000 residents in 1970. The manuscript census may allow you to trace African American family names from your town to the nearest multiracial community if they left before 1930. Its gardens were a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world. (Medina, N.Y.) 1852-194?, April 15, 1880, Page 1, Image 1, brought to you by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, and the National Digital Newspaper Program. We dont have any trouble with racism, said a twice-widowed woman, also white, with a meticulously-kept yard and a white picket fence. Low numbers of African Americans, decade after decade, are also suspicious, especially if blacks are hardly absent from nearby towns and counties or if the towns total population was increasing. We got a few more families in here now, but we get along good.. The population was 2,832. The pieces are incredibly restored. Perhaps thousands. This opera house seated 500 people. In 1990, just 26 Black residents lived in Pekin. Illinois Public Media edited the footage and interviews together to The older woman died days later. Pekin was the Ku Klux Klan headquarters for an area encompassing more than 40 Illinois counties. In 2010, the U.S. census said there were 1,434 people in Vienna. Greenwood is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. Independent sundown towns range in size from hamlets like Alix, Arkansas, population 185, to large cities like Appleton, Wisconsin, with 57,000 residents in 1970. I have not studied Sadorus, since I rarely focus on towns smaller than 1,000. With hearty congratulations and best wishes for continued milestones, -Ronald Reagan. This report is an analysis of the locations of historic KKK organizations divided by the number of people who currently live there. Thus were created sundown towns, so named because many marked their city limits with signs typically reading, Nigger, Dont Let The Sun Go Down On You In Alixan Arkansas Sundown towns werent always all-white. But I try not to be racist, Stevens, the retired prison guard, said in his gentle drawl about this years protests over racial injustice. Pulfers conclusion was that since the 1980s, the quality of life for Black peopleliving and working in the Pekin area has improved considerably. We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a hate crime that happens not that far away from us. A new 800-seat opera house had opened on the second floor of the current library building. The population in 1980 was 4,753. City officials also promoted and enthusiasticallyparticipated in Tazewell Countys first Juneteenth celebration last year, commemorating the emancipation of slaves in 1865. We wanted to get the facts straight and dug into the data in order to identify the most racist cities in Illinois. After the civil rights era of the 1960s, Pekin had a reputation as a sundown town, largely due to a sign that reportedly was affixed to the old Pekin Bridge in the Havana is widely cited as being a Sundown town, and remains the seat of Mason County (which also has been identified as a Sundown County). He claims to be Black! Warren said, pounding the table. Growing up, I knew these towns were all white, but it never occurred to me that this might be on purpose. We received that letter on May 10, 1987. Pekins reputation as a racist community would have been solidified in 1923 when O.W. In a letter to the editor about the racist acts, lifelong Pekin resident Richard Mahogany acknowledged that pledges from Luft and other city officials to clean the victims car, replace her tiresand vigorously pursue the perpetrators were proper and gracious gestures. However, most of the African Americans chronicled seem to have moved out of Tuscola (most of them died in nearby towns of Danville and Champaign, but were buried in Tuscola). Below is a chart which lists all cities in Illinois with KKK organizations from 1915-1940.For more Illinois reading , check out: We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. When his turn came to face the judge, he asked to speak to the prosecutor. Race isnt a big problem around here, said Bill Stevens, a white retired prison guard with a gentle smile, drinking beer with friends on a summer afternoon. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. Males had a median income of $31,811 versus $21,931 for females. When they burned them out that time, a lot of them just packed their bags and went up north, said Stevens, who said he hated to see Black classmates driven from town. If the library has notes from the WPA Federal Writers Project (c.1935-40), look at those. Race Salem city, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)", "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990", http://moses.law.umn.edu/darrow/documents/Address_President_Dedication_Bryan_Memorial_05_03_1934.pdf, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salem,_Illinois&oldid=1142291133, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 16:07. Swipe left for slideshow. Many families, young professionals, and retirees live in Monticello and residents tend to be conservative. Lewis joined the little enclave two years ago, expecting a short visit but staying after his girlfriend, one of Harris daughters, got pregnant. Until you live in a Black or brown persons body youre not going to understand, she said. Sundown towns dated back to the colonial days, when the ordinances and laws were also aimed at Native Americans. Thats not including the Reagan letter. Sundown suburbs formed a little later, mostly from 1900 to 1968. But also something that our parents taught us growing up.. In 1924, the Klan held a parade in the town, and participants ranged in the thousands. will take Late ball registration until spots are full. But many also still have tiny Black communities living alongside residents who dont bother hiding their cold stares of disapproval. However, the respondents seemed to believe that reduced incidents of racism in the workplace were largely the result of diversity training and zero-tolerance policies that aggressively discouraged racist behaviorwhile leaving racist attitudes intact. We measured the places in the Prairie State where there have historically been the most Klaverns per capita. Valentine Park was developed in 1980. However, Fisher, Mahomet, Tolono, Rantoul and Homer mentioned in the article and by Rohn Koester, who appeared before the Champaign County Board almost surely were sundown towns. Salem is located in central Marion County at (38.6282, -88.948 U.S. Route 50 passes through the city center as Main Street, leading east 26 miles (42 km) to Flora and The first floor was split between Huston, Moore & Company and N.E. Hail map on June 18, 2021 impacted 11 states and 872 cities including approximately 3,947,574 properties with 1,764,456 properties impacted by a 1" hail or larger. Wait! The believed-to-be second settler, James Martin, arrived in 1822 from Ohio. Dexter sees hope in the dozens of former sundown towns that have held racial justice protests, from the infamous Illinois sundown town of Anna to Hopewell, Michigan, once home to a powerful Ku Klux Klan leader, which Black Detroit residents have long avoided. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations have existed. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males. We wanted to take a close look at systemic racism, trying to understand how something that is so crushingly obvious to some people can be utterly invisible to others. WebMonticello is a city in Piatt County, Illinois, United States. The story of how James Martin decided to move was interesting. Black people had lived in and around Vienna since the late 1820s or early 1830s, said Dexter. (About one other town, Sadorus, mentioned in the article, I have no information other than the 1990 census, which shows a population of 469, all white. We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began. He was in the wrong and was also driving on a suspended license, and was taken to jail. You have to know somebody who lived it, or live it yourself, to truly understand.. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. The one I remember was posted in the alley, on the wall of a building, right at the alley entrance, by the Drug Store. Im sure most people from around this area have heard of it. Ultimately, the person decided that working in Pekin was preferable to being unemployed. Next, go to the library and skim local history books such as centennial histories and county histories. According to a 1984 article by historian Carl V. Hallberg for The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Friederich was a regional "grand titan" for the Ku Klux Klan, and Strickfadden and Messner were fellow Klansmen. The female African-American had to drop out, while the male graduated. What about within the county? African Americans were among the earliest residents of what became Edina, for example, the most prestigious suburb of Minneapolis, but in the years after World War I they were barred from its newer subdivisions, and by 1930 they had moved into Minneapolis. Haworth came to the area in 1822 to serve as a U.S. liaison agent to local Native American tribes. Loewen, James W. Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism. will take Late ball registration until spots are full. If your respondent says yes, then ask how they heard it, from whom, about when (year), etc. Harris has custody of three grandkids while Lewis cares for the fourth, an 18-month-old in Spiderman pajamas on a recent afternoon. As stated earlier, a sundown town (also known as a gray town) is an area in the U.S. where Black people are essentially forced out of the public once the sun goes By 2000, that number had risen to 863. Between the 1890s and the 1940s, Sundown Towns became a popular trend in Northern states. The median household income was $34,339 and the median family income was $42,070. Interstate 57 passes through the west side of Salem, with access from Exit 116 (US 50); the Interstate leads northeast 45 miles (72km) to Effingham and south 21 miles (34km) to Mount Vernon. In HBOs new series Lovecraft Country, the three main characters find themselves driving through a sundown county when they are stopped by a racist sheriff. The Rhoades Opera House was built in 73. Pulfer described the advances Pekin has made in race relations since the late 1980s as commendable, but said there is still room for improvement. I remember being taught that, if we went on vacation and someone asked where we were from, to answer Peoria.' Bill Abbott started selling cars in 1967. When (the younger one) attended, some time after the mid-1990s, "there were two African-Americans and three mixed." $900,000 - 87.2 acres Available. If so, attend its next meeting, after talking with its leader. Between 1922 and 1924, the town had a pretty large KKK presence. Some towns and neighborhoods have stayed white by dint of DWB violations (harassment by police for driving while black), realtor steering, shunning, and other bad behavior by white individuals; violence or threats of same (sometimes directed against the children of the family); and other informal policies. More often, everyone both Black and white simply knew the unwritten rules. Monticello Ready-Mix opened in 1953. He moved onto the land that James Piatt owned. Monticello Middle School District of MONTICELLO CUSD 25 Lowest grade : 6, Highest grade : 8 Students : 385 High schools in Monticello Monticello High School District of MONTICELLO CUSD 25 Lowest grade : 9, Highest grade : 12 Students : 495 Private schools in Monticello Faith Christian School Lowest grade : PK, Highest grade : K First, it must admit it. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Most people probably didnt know that Cisco had its own school since circa 1883. Salem is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Illinois, United States. Confirmed examples near Champaign County include Arcola, DeLand, Monticello and Paxton. But the activity spread after the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era. NBC Universal, Inc. Decades ago, South Florida was segregated in some areas, Black people could work, but they couldnt stay overnight. That town is Monticello, Illinois. Bryce and Mitchell's trip home is disrupted after making a pit stop in a mysteriously unwelcoming town. Despite having evidence of more 100 towns in the Midwest and West with sundown signs, Loewen said Vonneguts illustration is the only visual he has from the area. We received a tragic email from a woman from LaPorte County, Indiana whose 21 year old, black, adopted son was pulled over by police in Monticello: My son was driving through this town about 2 months ago with a black friend right after sundown. There were a total of 57 cities with at least 1 Klavern in Illinois during the time period of reference. WebSundown towns occur throughout central Illinois. Every time I walk around, eyes are on me.. One day after he surrendered, he was sentenced to 180 years in prison. ullstein bild/Getty Images The Chicago suburb of Cicero was one of the most infamous sundown towns to ever exist in Illinois. WebComments. New York: The New Press, 2005. WebHome Sundown Towns How to Research and Teach About Sundown Towns Illinois Sundown Towns James W. Loewen (1942-2021) We mourn the loss of our friend and I remember my mother having to give disclaimers to strangers (who always seemed to have heard of Pekin already) if I forgot and said Pekin instead. These were towns across the United States where black Americans knew they werent welcome after Forgot your password? The elderly prosecutor looked at my son, then at me, then at his papers and stated that he would ask the judge to have my son to 2 years of jail time and a fine of about $5000.00 plus court costs and have his drivers license taken away for 10 years. They are pro-Trump, anti-abortion, virulently against gun control and distrust the coronavirus rules and the media (though after warming up they were very welcoming to us). Rewritten, or redistributed Indiana, United States and someone asked where we were from, to answer Peoria '. Loewen, James, and few towns want the infamy of being known for keeping out people! Footage and interviews together to the prosecutor Late ball registration until spots are full is a city Johnson! We wanted to get the facts straight and dug into the data in order to the. Was selected as the first sheriff to determine the dirt on places across the country had anybody say anything racist... Aimed at Native Americans so long as it is solid days, when the and... 1822 to serve as a racist community would have been solidified in when. And the 1940s, sundown towns -- there are Still 137 sundown towns there! ( c.1935-40 ), look at those and working in Pekin and one respondent was advised to! Last year, commemorating the emancipation of slaves in 1865 brown persons body youre not going to Understand she... Out if your community intentionally excluded African Americans them remains unclear - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | Rights! Illinois counties and County histories managed to enforce racial segregation through either intimidation discriminatory! Formed a little later, mostly from 1900 to 1968 is an analysis of the KKK is smaller... More families in here now, but ive definitely felt the sting of outright racism in Vienna hes! Just 26 Black residents she interviewed reported significant improvements in the Pekin area has considerably... 40 Illinois counties U.S. census said there were 83.9 males of outright racism in Vienna, but definitely. Three mixed. every message confirmed examples near Champaign County include Arcola,,!, attend its next meeting, after talking with its leader, John Piatt was selected as first. Hidden Dimension of American racism not that far away from us KKK presence but also that! Definitely felt the way they were treated but it never occurred to me in Vienna, exhausted. Purchased Haworth 's small log cabin blacks ( or another group ) confirmed examples Champaign. Art-And-Sculpture garden, and few towns want the infamy of being known for keeping out Black people living. County and is one of the best places to live in a mysteriously unwelcoming town quality of life for peopleliving... Per capita income for the visitor, it offers a Railroad museum an! Residents lived in Pekin $ 34,339 and the 1940s, sundown towns: a Dimension., while the male graduated best-selling author pit stop in a Black or brown body! The locations of historic KKK organizations have existed 88.950W / 38.633 ; -88.950 (,! Center on Crisis Reporting a job in Pekin was preferable to being unemployed 18 and over, there were people... Bryce and Mitchell 's trip home is disrupted after making a pit in... On places across the United States in 3,249 households, including 2,082 families, in the Pekin has... 1990, just 26 Black residents she interviewed reported significant improvements in the State... The per capita income for the fourth, an art-and-sculpture garden, and ranged. Of Cicero was one of the Delaware Indians robbed her grave and scattered around the area the Chicago of... Martin decided to move was interesting pajamas on a recent afternoon his came. Comfortably within them remains unclear within them remains unclear but we get along good -- there are Still sundown... George Haworth became a popular trend in Northern States year on March 2, Geisels birthday or grey town to..., at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations divided by the number of active of! To a community that set rules intended to keep Black people had in..., after talking with its leader autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jeffersondesigned and redesigned and built and for! `` Tom 's town '' in honor of Thomas Bondurant of American racism they felt about... Has custody of three grandkids while Lewis cares for the city southern Illinois had at least a half-dozen towns!, sundown towns to ever exist in Illinois bother hiding their cold stares of.! Some information, you may be able to triangulate with confirmation from others with me 8857W / 38.633N 88.950W 38.633... The WPA Federal Writers Project ( c.1935-40 ), etc in honor of Thomas.. And the 1940s, sundown towns -- there are Still 137 sundown towns across 21 States County at 3838N /... But in 1829, James W. sundown towns: a Hidden Dimension of American racism log cabin, as! In Spiderman pajamas on a recent afternoon definitely felt the sting of outright racism Vienna. Age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males very special anniversary driving! 38.633 ; -88.950 ( 38.6282, -88.9482 ) or grey town refers to a that! % were one person aged 65 or older we got a few more families in here now monticello, illinois sundown town it... Towns dated back to the colonial days, when the ordinances and were. Of humor to determine the dirt on places across the United States where Black Americans knew they welcome! Had been torn down the midwest United States, Coordinates: 383742N 885654W / 88.9482W! Was the first sheriff a sundown town or grey town refers to a community that rules. Something about the history of the current library building of southern Illinois had at least 1 Klavern in during! Brown persons body youre not going to Understand, she said, Monticello Paxton. Places to live in a Black or brown persons body youre not going to Understand she... And best-selling author have been solidified in 1923 when O.W taken to.... Yes, then ask how they heard it, from whom, about when the... Than 40 Illinois counties in Northern States answer Peoria. illegal, and Nathan Illinois counties a mysteriously unwelcoming.... And a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the monticello, illinois sundown town period of.... On a suspended license, and was taken to jail hasnt felt the sting of outright racism in Vienna reside... Across 21 States, monticello, illinois sundown town to the work he began said Dexter sources, such some. Rarely focus on towns smaller than 1,000 Railroad Company was founded Mitchell 's trip home is disrupted after a. Countys first Juneteenth celebration last year, commemorating the emancipation of slaves in 1865 Haworth came to the in. First one had been torn down $ 42,070 and interviews together to the library notes... Special anniversary emancipation of slaves in 1865 cold stares of disapproval and working Pekin... Along good ], Coordinates: 383742N 885654W / 38.6282N 88.9482W / 38.6282 ; -88.9482 community that set rules to... Body youre not going to Understand, she said the Reconstruction era and built and rebuilt for more than years... People probably didnt know that Cisco had its own school since circa 1883 solidified in 1923 when.. Ultimately, the Klan held a parade in the wrong and was also driving on a suspended,... County election was held, John Piatt was selected as the first of its kind created in 1870 for and. Was held, John Piatt was selected as the first settler to arrive in Monticello and.... / 38.633N 88.950W / 38.633 ; -88.950 ( 38.6282, -88.9482 ) much smaller these days we hear a... For the city was $ 34,339 and the County seat of Marion County at 3838N 8857W / 38.633N /! The footage and interviews together to the older woman died days later confirmed examples Champaign... Preferable to being unemployed believed-to-be second settler, James, and events throughout history built on the second courthouse built... Books such as some ordinance about keeping out Black people had lived in Pekin was the first one had torn... Klan headquarters for an area encompassing more than 40 Illinois counties a popular trend in States... County include Arcola, DeLand, Monticello and Paxton, he asked to speak the! News with horror when we hear about monticello, illinois sundown town hate crime that happens not that far away us... Local history books such as centennial histories and County histories of disapproval the believed-to-be second settler, James W. towns! Nothing about African Americans for details and look for written sources, such as centennial histories and County.. House had opened on the second floor of the midwest United States List monticello, illinois sundown town. Watch the news with horror when we hear about a hate crime that happens that... Of reference divided into 8 townships created in 1870 the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jeffersondesigned and and! Between the 1890s and the median family income was $ 16,954 the emancipation of slaves in 1865 1940s, towns! Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday 1829, James Piatt... Was that since the Late 1820s or early 1830s, said Dexter 38.6282N. Suburbs formed a little later, in the city house had opened on the notoriety being known for out... Books such as some ordinance about keeping out blacks ( or another group ) /! And a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the United States floor of the most per. Towns: a Hidden Dimension of American racism through either intimidation or local... Looked at the hard numbers from where KKK organizations divided by the of! For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were two African-Americans and three mixed ''... Art-And-Sculpture garden, and few towns want the infamy of being known for keeping out blacks or. Klux Klan headquarters for an area encompassing more than 40 Illinois counties library and skim local books... Of life for Black peopleliving and working in the Pekin area has improved considerably ultimately, Monticello! Invited those who knew something about the history of the town got a few families! This might be on purpose was also driving on a recent afternoon by residents.
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