Bits and pieces of area history

The gentle hills of Southernmost Illinois make it one of the prettiest areas of the state. It has fascinating history and geography.

Glaciers flattened much of the area north of Route 13 …. Murphysboro, Carbondale, Herrin, Marion, Harrisburg, and Shawneetown. The first European settlers came to what is now the counties of Massac, Pulaski, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander and Union.

You can learn of man’s arrival here, about 10,000 BC, or the arrival of European explorers about 1,500 AD. The interstate highways of the early settlers were the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, which form our borders.

This site is for young and old, students, visitors and long-time residents. Many locals do not realize the historical significance, sometimes national, of what is right around us. We encourage you to dig deeper into the places and topics that interest you.