The Republic of Forgottonia
The lore of “The Republic of Forgottonia” was created in the late 1960s in what is the very heart of the “Republic”; Macomb, IL. A group of concerned citizens dubbed the area “Forgottonia” in protest of the lack of state and federal investment in highways and other infrastructure in a sixteen-county section of West Central Illinois. Variously described as…
Read MoreBushnell Freight House Depot
The community of Bushnell has a long history with railroads. The city was founded in 1854 after Northern Cross Railroad built tracks through the area and named the site after the railroad company’s president, Nehemiah Bushnell. Today, freight trains and the Illinois Amtrak line, as they have for over a century and a half, rumble daily…
Read More“Big” Al Sears – Rock & Roll Progenitor
Albert Omega Sears, better known as “Big” Al Sears, was born February 21, 1910 in McDonough County‘s Macomb, IL in the heart of Forgottonia. Noted Jazz historian and scholar Phil Schaap claims “Al Sears undoubtedly made the largest anonymous contribution to 20th Century America that can be clearly referenced.” Sears played saxophone and played it well, Sears…
Read MoreC.T. Vivian – Civil Rights Pioneer
Distinguished minister, author and civil rights pioneer, Rev. Dr. Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian, as a small boy, migrated with his mother to Macomb, IL where he attended Lincoln Grade School and Edison Junior High School. Dr. Vivian graduated from Macomb Senior High School in 1942 and went on to attend Western Illinois University in Macomb,…
Read MoreMuseum of Geology
Founded in 1975, Museum of Geology in Tillman Hall on the campus of Westen Illinois University, is open to the public and houses more than forty displays and exhibits covering Earth History and processes as well as Earth materials and resources. Touring the Museum you will be introduced to the fascinating world of rocks, minerals and…
Read MoreCom. Thomas MacDonough
McDonough County is named in honor of Commander Thomas Macdonough who defeated a British squadron in the decisive naval Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812. McDonough County was part of the “Military Tract” set aside by Congress for veterans of the 1812 war. You will find a copy of the portrait below…
Read MoreElizabeth “Lizzie” Magie – Inventor of the game “Monopoly”
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie-Phillips (MA- Gee) was born in Macomb, on May 9th, 1866, the year after the Civil War ended and Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Her father, James K. Magie, was a newspaper publisher and an abolitionist who accompanied Lincoln as he traveled around Illinois in the late 1850s debating politics with Stephen Douglas. Aside from…
Read MoreMacomb’s Historic Downtown Courthouse Square
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Courthouse Square in downtown Macomb has functioned as the hub of county activity since the centerpiece structure was erected in 1871. Here, at the very heart of Forgottonia you’ll find, unique shops, dining, entertainment, nightspots, all set in a charming atmosphere amidst a beautiful historic buildings. Watch…
Read MoreVishnu Springs: The Ira & Reatha T. Post Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in the 1840’s, Vishnu Springs, once renowned for the supposed healing properties of the water from its mineral springs sits near the town of Tennessee, IL. The resort was also a haven for bootleggers and gangsters, including Al Capone, to take refuge. The town reportedly hosted as many as 3,000 visitors, annually, and contained…
Read MoreGen. Alexander Macomb
Gen. Alexander Macomb (April 3, 1782 – June 25, 1841) was the Commanding General of the United States Army from May 29, 1828 until his death on June 25, 1841. Macomb was the field commander at the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812 and, after the stunning victory, was lauded with praise and…
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