Monroe City, Illinois

The Monroe City Mill in 1894.The two story section at right would have been built in 1827 by Thomas James. The lean-to and smokestack would have been built in 1851when the mill was converted to steam power.

In 1790, a man named Golden built a blockhouse in the hollow to protect local settlers.[3] In 1798, Josia Ryan built a mill near the blockhouse. At that time, the creek was known as "Ryan's Creek." In 1800, Andrew Kinney built a grist mill on the creek. The area became known as "Kinney's Mill." In 1823, General Thomas James purchased Kinney's mill and the area became known as "James' Mill."[3]

By 1883, the community was a thriving frontier town. The mill was the economic engine that drove the community. It was supported by a complement of businesses, schools, churches, and social organizations.[3] Approximately 300 people lived in the general trading area.[2]

The hardwood forests that surrounded Monroe City supported a variety of timber-related businesses. Sawmills were established to provide lumber to the growing community. In 1851, the mill was converted to steam power which drove demand for firewood. Steam boats on the nearby Mississippi River were also supplied with firewood from Monroe City.

The Foster family of Monroe City were early coopers who made flour barrels and sold them to the grist mill operators. The original cooper shed is preserved intact on lot 8 of Woodville.[2]

When the railroads came through Monroe County in the early 20th century,[4] wooden railroad ties were hewn in Monroe City. Harold G. Baum paid woodcutters 15 cents for each tie they could cut from the trees on the family farm. He sold those ties to the railroad in bulk.

In 1933, Harold G. Baum established a woodworking shop at the family farm in Monroe City. His signature item was the "HUCKABAY & BAUM" brand baseball bats, made from hickory and ash harvested on the farm.[5]

Both the milling and timber businesses declined in the early 20th century as production shifted to centralized operations. In 1956, the last school in Monroe City closed. The population has continued to decline as people follow jobs to more urban areas.

The underlying Karst geology has influenced much of the economic and social development of Monroe City. Water flows from underground karst waterways, coming to the surface at more than 24 springs in The Monroe City Creek system,[7] resulting in an all-weather water source.