History of Geneseo, Illinois
Geneseo, Illinois has a long and interesting history. There are 3 good books that have been published, at the 100, 125 and 150 marks of the cities history. I had hoped to read an updated version of the book that I found last year for the dodransbicentenial (175 year) anniversary of the city founding. In 2012, I went looking for the First 175 years of Geneseo, but found nothing of the sort. I asked the History Museum curator in an email exchange, Mrs. Angie Snook, about the previous books and the story about the Non-book for 2011, and she said that there was no book in the works, and probably no interest in publishing it. I set out and read the 150 years first, and found it fascinating. If you're from Geneseo, I imagine it would be even more interesting to you. But for an outsider (at least I was not born and raised in Geneseo) the book kept my interest for sure. There are lots of references to the older books, of which the first 125 years was very difficult to find. The library had copies to sell of the first 100 years. I did buy myself a copy and read it. The 150 history book can be checked out and they have more copies that are retained in the special selections at the new library. The 125 years is in special collections, they aren't selling copies of it, and you cannot check that work out of the library. Reading the 2 books that I have read, got me thinking about writing, or helping to write the current "story" of Geneseo. I am certainly not any kind of author or a book expert, nor the first person you would think about when it comes to documenting Geneseo. I was not born in Geneseo, and I don't live in the City limits now. So right there I think I'm a bad candidate. I also am the parent of 3 active children, and am gainfully employed full-time in a busy career. But I do have one advantage here, I care enough about the topic to start this project and one day finish it. I am inviting anyone else with any interest in updating a work, Online, regarding the history of Geneseo to either begin their own work, or contact me and join/assist me in this project. My first goal here is to outline what I think I would like and believe others would want to cover. The great thing about this, is we can keep it current, and there is no deadline for when this must be published, and it is free. It can be read from your ipad, iphone, computer, TV or from where ever you get your digital media. If we ever get the notion to turn this, or some similar work into a book for some kind of continuity, we can look at that down the road. For now, I'd like to lay out some plans for NEW Geneseo History book (Online).
Details of the 3 books
History of Geneseo, IL
GENESEO, ILLINOIS has a fairly long history and
very interesting history, going back to even before 1836. In 2011, we celebrated the 175th anniversary (Dodransbicentennial) of the city
founding. The founders lead by John C. Ward and the other families that came to our little town from Bergen New York, in 1836, had some great plans in
hand. The Map at the Geneseo Historical Museum is pretty amazing. It shows the North, and South ends of the planned town as well as the East and
Western most areas. Amazing how small they thought the new settlement would be. In less than 20 years, the town had grown by leaps and bounds
into the thousands. By 1854 the Rock Island Railroad was put right on the north end (at the time) of town. In the 1960's the building of the
Interstate 80 further dramatically altered the working of the people of Geneseo. It also continued to add to diverse nature of the little
settlement started a hundred years earlier.
The library has a great book called The First 150 years of Geneseo. Check it out. It goes into great detail about the first years of
Geneseo, and contains a large assortment of photos. The other 2 books listed below don't have the wide array of photos, but are both interesting in
their own right. I always find something of interest in these old works, especially when the book discusses future predictions and events.
GENESEO, ILLINOIS has a fairly long history and
very interesting history, going back to even before 1836. In 2011, we celebrated the 175th anniversary (Dodransbicentennial) of the city
founding. The founders lead by John C. Ward and the other families that came to our little town from Bergen New York, in 1836, had some great plans in
hand. The Map at the Geneseo Historical Museum is pretty amazing. It shows the North, and South ends of the planned town as well as the East and
Western most areas. Amazing how small they thought the new settlement would be. In less than 20 years, the town had grown by leaps and bounds
into the thousands. By 1854 the Rock Island Railroad was put right on the north end (at the time) of town. In the 1960's the building of the
Interstate 80 further dramatically altered the working of the people of Geneseo. It also continued to add to diverse nature of the little
settlement started a hundred years earlier.
The library has a great book called The First 150 years of Geneseo. Check it out. It goes into great detail about the first years of
Geneseo, and contains a large assortment of photos. The other 2 books listed below don't have the wide array of photos, but are both interesting in
their own right. I always find something of interest in these old works, especially when the book discusses future predictions and events.
There are other books, including Geneseo Centennial Hisotry (1836-1936) and the first 125 years covering 1836-1961 as well. Where is the new book for 2011 and the Dodransbicentennial? Check out the Geneseo Wikipedia Page, as well as the museum page.
Other Historical Links
As I find interesting historical links, I will add them below with a bit of commentary.
While building this site, I came across a site about Sandy's. Some of you probably remember way back to 1972-73, and if so you might appreciate this link which has some pictures of the Geneseo Sandy's way back in the day.
While building this site, I came across a site about Sandy's. Some of you probably remember way back to 1972-73, and if so you might appreciate this link which has some pictures of the Geneseo Sandy's way back in the day.
Chapters to consider for an online Historical Work.
The Chapters listed below follow the original Geneseo Centernnial History fairly closely. It is the basis of the first draft I propose.
Memorial to the colonist
The Colony
The Early Government
Churches
Hammond Henry Hospital
Public Libary
Agriculture
Schools Public and Private
Social Groups
Professional
Patriotic Societies
Fraternal Orders
Soldiers of Geneseo
Business houses of Geneseo
Geneseo, New York
Memorial to the colonist
The Colony
The Early Government
Churches
Hammond Henry Hospital
Public Libary
Agriculture
Schools Public and Private
Social Groups
Professional
Patriotic Societies
Fraternal Orders
Soldiers of Geneseo
Business houses of Geneseo
Geneseo, New York