History of Elkhart (Continued)

Regardless of the legal name, the core and heart of the Village from its inception has been one of community. The early settlers came by wagons, carriages, horseback and some on foot carrying what few belongings they could to carve out new beginnings in the as yet unsettled territory known as Illinois. Tradesmen, craftsmen, farmers, housewives and the families they brought with them all helped to make up the humble beginnings of Elkhart.

Like many communities, Elkhart has experienced hardships and tragedies. ln 1870 and 1882 winds and hail brought destruction to property and crops. In 1889 lightning struck and ten buildings were burned to the ground. In 1914 half of the buildings on the north side of Main Street burned, as did most buildings on Railroad Street when lightning struck a few years later. The 1900's have also had their share of destruction. More recent, on the evening of August 8, 1988, the post office and the J & K Tavern was found aflame and was consequently destroyed. On May 9, 1995, a tornado struck the Village with a fierceness never experienced by Elkhart residents. Early warning sirens sounded a weather alert at 5:30 p.m. Thirty minutes later a level three tornado with 200 mph winds struck the Village. Governor Edgar declared Elkhart a disaster area with more than $5 million in reported damages. Although more than 25 homes, the post office and 15 area farms were heavily damaged by the tornado, residents pulled together and cleaned up most of the debris within 36 hours. With each destructive blow dealt the Elkhart community, residents have always matched with just as much community spirit to clean up, build and continue on.

Along with unfailing determination and courage, the pioneers and settlers of Elkhart City brought with them their faith to see them through the trials and hardships they faced. St. Patrick's Catholic Church was established in 1856. The Methodist Society was organized in the early 1830's but the first Methodist Church was not erected until 1863. The Christian Church was organized in 1865 and a church built in 1867 and in 1890 St. John the Baptist Chapel was built on the hill by Lemira Gillett.

Even though the Civil War was not been fought on Central Illinois soil, the rank and file of the Union Army was filled with many men from Elkhart City and the surrounding prairie lands. Business and family life alike, came almost to a standstill during those years. The end of the Civil War, however, brought with it prosperity for the town once again as men returned to their livelihoods and families.

Henry Stahl brought his family and opened a tinsmith shop which later was expanded to a hardware store. A. Barnett was the town attorney. William Kiler used his skills to build a new pine desk for City Hall and L. B. Dana was a contractor hired to "throw up the roads". William Dolvin came in 1867 and opened a grocery store. David Lippott brought his wife and family and ran a blacksmith shop.

The 1870's found the business district flourishing. Samuel Hunter began a grocery business and Dr. James Taylor started his medical practice. One of Dr. Taylor's sons also became a doctor and established a drug store for the community. More and more families came to farm the land and become part of the growing community.

Governor Richard Oglesby, President Abraham Lincoln, world renown cattleman and exporter John Dean Gillett, and the illustrious Captain A. H. Bogardus are just some of the personalities that graced the fledgling Village with their presence. Governor Oglesby, John Gillett and Captain Bogardus kept residences in Elkhart and interacted with the people of the community, while Abraham Lincoln was a visitor on many occasions.

As time went on, the plank sidewalks were replaced with brick and eventually concrete; the telephone came to town; the electric railway serviced residents and electricity became a household word. Along came dry goods and millinery stores, harness shops and grocery stores, restaurants and saloons, barbershops and butcher shops, ice cream parlors, the public library and the bank. The invention of gasoline engines brought with them the need for gas stations and repair shops. Allison Elevator rose to compete in height with the "Hill". Interstate 55 replaced Route 66 and the Elkhart Coal Mine delivered its first load of coal in November of 1982.

Through many wars, the great depression of the 1930's, natural disasters, fires, personal tragedies, deaths, changes in technology, school consolidation, loss of businesses and residents, the Village of Elkhart has maintained a proud sense of community.