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History of Madison County IllinoisSelect a City, Town, Village or Township: Our database does not include an historic photo for Madison County Illinois, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us! 15% - 35% off all Products ยป The Ready Store Local History Notes:The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows: MADISON, a county in the S. W. part of Illinois, bordering on Missouri, has an area of about 690 square miles. It is situated on the Mississippi river opposite the mouth of the Missouri, and nearly opposite St. Louis. It is intersected by Cahokia creek, and also drained by Silver creek and its branches. The surface is elevated and undulating, diversified by prairies and woodlands. The river bottom below Alton is several miles wide, and bounded on the E. by a bluff which rises from 100 to 200 feet. The soil is remarkably fertile, and is extensively cultivated. Indian corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, pork, and butter are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 1,153,183 bushels of corn; 88,893 of wheat; 202,059 of oats; 6499 tons of hay, and 251,824 pounds of butter. There were in that year 3574 pupils attending public schools, and 209 attending academies or other schools; 78 churches, and 2 newspaper offices. Stone coal and limestone are abundant on the banks of the river near Alton. The county is intersected by the Alton and Terre Haute railroad, and by the Chicago and Mississippi. Capital, Edwardsville. Population, 20,436. Local History and Genealogy Links: |
Illinois Facts: Madison County Facts: Seat: EdwardsvilleEstablished: 1812 Formed from: Randolph, Saint Clair
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