01/16/2023
Wayne County Historical Society meeting Thursday, 6pm, at the library. Paintings NOW on display.
Wayne County Historical Society
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The Hanna House is Open 10am - 2pm Saturdays from April through October. The Early History Museum is
Operating as usual
01/10/2023
The Wayne County Historical Society will have their first meeting of 2023 Thursday, January 19th 6pm at the Fairfield Public Library. Everyone is invited to attend. The Historical Society was established in 1953, so this year marks the 70th anniversary of the organization. President Judith Puckett will welcome everyone to the meeting and report any new business. Those attending the meeting will get the first look at a retrospective exhibit of paintings done by Wasson Lawrence. Wasson Lawrence served as the first president of the Historical Society in 1953.
01/06/2023
12/29/2022
Happy New Year.
12/27/2022
12/27/2022
12/12/2022
Please join us for the December meeting, Thursday, December 15, 2022
6pm at the Fairfield Public Library
12/03/2022
Fairfield Memorial Hospital staff. 1950s.
12/03/2022
Photo donated. Fairfield doctor before 1960.
11/23/2022
New Hope School - WC Historical Society's Podcast
New Hope School - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Wayne County Illinois Historical SocietyHistory Mystery presentations are protected by copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of the segments in written or audio form without written permission is prohibited. © 2022 Wayne County Historical...
11/11/2022
World War II Weddings - WC Historical Society's Podcast
World War II Weddings - WC Historical Society's Podcast
World War II WeddingsOnce the United States joined World War II, the urge to get married among many young couples proved too compelling to resist. In 1942 alone, weddings were up 83 percent. World War II was a time of intense emotions: excitemen...
11/09/2022
Corporal Clarence W. Parker 1911 - 1944 - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Corporal Clarence W. Parker 1911 - 1944 - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Corporal Clarence W. Parker 1911 - 1944During World War II the local newspapers were filled with accounts of the men and women serving in Europe and in the Pacific. The following is an account of the death of Corporal Clarence W. Parker.Corpora...
11/08/2022
Charles D. Merrick - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Charles D. Merrick - WC Historical Society's Podcast
WW II Vet
11/07/2022
Wayne County Historical Society
Thursday, November 17th 2022 6pm
Fairfield C P Church 1700 Outer W Delaware St, Fairfield, IL
Showing a locally produced movie “The Last of the Outlaws”
“The Last of the Outlaws” was filmed near Boyleston in 1987 and was produced by Len Mason. The movie stars several local actors including Sam Andrews, Lindy Simpson, Debbie Simpson, Sonny McCully and a cast of about 35.
Everyone is invited to come and view the 90-minute western. There is no charge for the event.
10/26/2022
1920s by Gene Hearn - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1920s by Gene Hearn - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Wayne County Illinois Historical SocietyHistory Mystery presentations are protected by copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of the segments in written or audio form without written permission is prohibited. © 2022 Wayne County Historical...
10/26/2022
Treat bags!!! Stop by at the Hanna House on Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00. Every kid gets an apple too!
10/22/2022
Thank you Shirley (SAM) for your donation. This Fairfield City Directory will be in the Archives and available.
10/18/2022
Russell Wilson - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Russell Wilson - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Boss’s Day / Russell Wilson 1924 - 2019National Boss’s Day is a secular holiday that began in 1958. Patricia Bays Haroski worked as a secretary for State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois when she registered “National Boss’s Day” wit...
10/15/2022
The Wayne County Historical Society will meet Thursday, October 20 at 6pm at the Hanna House Museum. A scavenger hunt will be held for those wishing to participate. There will be light refreshments and prizes for those who complete the scavenger hunt. Everyone is invited.
10/06/2022
FCHS Homecoming weekend. The Hanna House Museum will be open Saturday 10 -2pm and has a collection of yearbooks to browse.
10/06/2022
1972 Homecoming - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1972 Homecoming - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1972 Homecoming memoriesLet’s look back a few years to the Fairfield Community High School class of 1972 as we celebrate homecoming week. In 1972 Fairfield beat Flora 24 to 14 to win the homecoming football game. The method of stuffing tissue ...
10/05/2022
FCHS Homecoming - WC Historical Society's Podcast
FCHS Homecoming - WC Historical Society's Podcast
FCHS HomecomingIt is Homecoming Week at Fairfield Community High School. Students, including Freshmen through Seniors, will be participating in dress-up days and student activities. Final preparations will begin in anticipation of the parade, fo...
10/05/2022
10/01/2022
Early photos of Fairfield Park.
NEW donation. Thank you Connie R.
10/01/2022
Wonderful collection of Fairfield, IL postcards.
NEW donation. Thank you Connie R.
10/01/2022
Lang Hotel Fairlield early 1900s.
New photo recently donated. Thank you Connie R.
09/26/2022
Photos from Wayne County Historical Society's post
09/23/2022
Museums are open Saturday 10 - 2
09/21/2022
Wayne County Historical Society
Meeting Thursday 6pm at the Library.
09/17/2022
Pumpkin painting at the Hanna House. Saturday 10 - 2.
09/17/2022
Photos from Gallatin County Historical Society's post
09/07/2022
09/07/2022
Now accepting donations of clean books in good condition for upcoming fall book sale. Proceeds will be used for library programs.
09/03/2022
Gas Stations - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Gas Stations - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Wednesday, Aug 31 Gas StationsThere was a time when gas stations dotted every corner of a community. The small, full-service stations were a place to fill your tank, fix a flat or grab a pack of gum. Gas Stations of the past were smaller. The p...
08/30/2022
Look at this oldie!
https://www.dimaggios.pizza/
08/24/2022
Check out the new FCC history wall in Clemence Elizabeth Cox Hall! Many special moments and essential people are featured on the wall that helped shape FCC into who we are today. A huge thank you to T Graphics Inc, for their amazing job turning the idea of the wall into reality.
08/24/2022
Geff Robbery - WC Historical Society's Podcast
Geff Robbery - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1927 Geff Robbery We never know when a typical ride home will take a turn toward the unexpected. The hard-working people of Wayne County take comfort in the fact that robbery and armed assault are rare in our rural communities. In 1927 many peo...
08/20/2022
The Library and the Museums have old year books.
08/19/2022
1920s FCHS School Song - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1920s FCHS School Song - WC Historical Society's Podcast
1920s Fairfield High School Poem/School song? The Forward to the 1929 FCHS Yearbook states “Due to the fact that the human mind is prone to forget, we have collected choice memory gems and preserved them in these pages for future enjoyment. The s...
08/17/2022
T. O. Mathews Sr. - WC Historical Society's Podcast
T. O. Mathews Sr. - WC Historical Society's Podcast
T.O Matthews 1911-1999 Thomas O. Mathews Sr., was the acclaimed editor and publisher of the Wayne County Press for over 40 years. Following his death in 1999, his sons Preston and Tom Jr. continued the work of the Wayne County Press. Tom Mathew...
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Fairfield, IL
62837
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Videos
Don Wood 1.20.22.
Our thanks to Don Wood, our speaker this month discussing the Flood of May 1961.
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 10
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 9
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 8
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 7
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 6
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 5
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon 4
Maple Hill Tour
Wagon number 3
Maple Hill
Wagon number 2.
Early History Museum
The Early History Museum is open until 1:00 today. There is lots of things to see.
El Mexicano Chicken Fajitas
The WCHS will hold the Maple Hill Cemetery Tour this fall. As the date approaches more information will be made available. Many of our businesses in Wayne County have already purchased their ad space in the tour booklet. We will be adding a little extra advertising for all of our supporters in the way of video posts promoting your business on our page the week before the tour. I will make an example out of our very first sponsor: El Mexicano Restaurant located in Fairfield. You can hear the fajitas calling your name! If you have not purchased an ad to support the WCHS we are still selling ad space. Leave your name in the comments and we will contact you.
Welcome to the Early History Museum.
Visit the Early History Museum.
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Comments
I spent two days in jail while the Sheriff and the Mayor had warm meals at home.
Liquids were withheld for the first 4 hours. Linens and Toilet Paper for the first 3.
Medicines were withheld in the jail. I was literally taunted with my medicine.
The same guard came in "my cell" and yelled at me for ten minutes for needing the inhaler.
I lost my job as an IL State Medical Ma*****na Cultivation Agent.
My home was broken into the night I was in jail (my wife never stopped crying and had to go stay with someone). I'm uncertain of what if anything was taken. A few items were missing, but from outside, not inside (a rake, the vise off my 14' trailer).
I got bronchitis in the jail and had to be admitted to FMH upon release. An inmate had been complaining about black mold while I was in there. Hopefully it was mold and not coronavirus. The hospital "opted out" of testing me.
I have no previous criminal record.
I cannot however currently pass a background check due to "pending felonies". It's INSANE.
Had to turn down work with the census when they asked because I knew I couldn't pass the background/fingerprinting due to this. Etc etc
Liquids were withheld for the first 4 hours. Linens and Toilet Paper for the first 3.
Medicines were withheld in the jail. I was literally taunted with my medicine.
The same guard came in "my cell" and yelled at me for ten minutes for needing the inhaler.
I lost my job as an IL State Medical Ma*****na Cultivation Agent.
My home was broken into the night I was in jail (my wife never stopped crying and had to go stay with someone). I'm uncertain of what if anything was taken. A few items were missing, but from outside, not inside (a rake, the vise off my 14' trailer).
I got bronchitis in the jail and had to be admitted to FMH upon release. An inmate had been complaining about black mold while I was in there. Hopefully it was mold and not coronavirus. The hospital "opted out" of testing me.
I have no previous criminal record.
I cannot however currently pass a background check due to "pending felonies". It's INSANE.
Had to turn down work with the census when they asked because I knew I couldn't pass the background/fingerprinting due to this. Etc etc
I have court today again for trying to get Pritzker's mask mandate upheld by law enforcement (5/3/2020).
Also for the "NO MASK REQUIRED" sign at A&D (also 5/3/2020).
The officer didn't wear a mask until told twice and wouldn't give me even 2 feet for conversation (instead invaded MY vehicle) but I have to do THEIR court via ZOOM. This will be my 7th day having my daily operations interrupted due to local law enforcement not upholding an executive order by the governor.
We had only 2 deaths locally so far on 5/3/2020. One of them was a traveller passing through.
Also for the "NO MASK REQUIRED" sign at A&D (also 5/3/2020).
The officer didn't wear a mask until told twice and wouldn't give me even 2 feet for conversation (instead invaded MY vehicle) but I have to do THEIR court via ZOOM. This will be my 7th day having my daily operations interrupted due to local law enforcement not upholding an executive order by the governor.
We had only 2 deaths locally so far on 5/3/2020. One of them was a traveller passing through.
My grandmother, Nadine Padgett, claimed to have seen a cigar-shaped UFO over Fairfield in the 60s, I believe. She was interviewed by a national magazine (sorry I don’t remember which one, I was a child when I read it) and kept a copy of the publication in her bookshelf.
Is there anyway to talk Wayne Co Press into digitizing their old papers? It would be sooo helpful in finding old relatives for genealogical purposes. Many areas in SO IL have digitized their papers for newspapers.com Could you imagine being able to have easy access to newspapers from Fairfield in the 20s!
Does anyone here remember the year that First Baptist in Fairfield invited a black congregation in Mt. Vernon to an exchange? Their members (with choir and preacher) came to Fairfield and many from Fairfield (Harold L. Garret and the choir) went to Mt. Vernon for a service. This was very forward-looking in terms of racial relations. Hint, it was between 1953 and 1956.
I would love to use some Wayne County Trivia for Morning Coffee. Anything you can send me on Messenger will be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
A PETITION TO THE CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING PLACEMENT OF A NEW WATER TOWER ON THE GROUNDS OF MAPLE HILL CEMETERY. We, the undersigned, residents of Fairfield and Wayne County, Illinois, object to the construction of a water tower on the grounds of Maple Hill Cemetery, and urge the city to find a more suitable location than the resting place of many generations of our families.
Anyone know all of the names associated with what is now Johnson Funeral Home? I know many but I'm sure it goes further back than Crippin.
Hello, my ancestors lived in Big Mound and Fairfield between 1870-1900. They moved away after the death of my 3GGF. I have posted different queries on the Wayne County sites a long time ago. My sister Debbie Reinhart Jeske has revived the search and we are taking a new look at this time period for our family. We were told in “family lore” that our family worked at/owned/ran a store in the Fairfield area. We have never been able to find any proof. Recently an elderly family member passed down a suitcase with a journal in it. It is a ledger of sales transactions in Fairfield with area peoples names what they bought paid etc. The ledger is very interesting as it reflects life and times in the Fairfield area with dates. My sister and I are taking a new look in our families time there and willing to share our journal pages with the Historical Society. We will repost our family information etc. I have received help from Bettie Wheat in the past. Also, I have received help from Terry Prizer with find a grave pictures. She helped find out ancestors graves. We are very excited to restart these brick walls. Thank you. Sheila
My Father Harold Chalcraft was born in Golden Gate in 1932. He was part of a large family. His Sister Valleta, married Randall Hill. They owned Hills Sporting Goods in Fairfield. Do you have any history as to when it opened and when it closed. Many good memories going to that store. For a city kid ( Chicago ) that was always a big deal. Thanks so much!
The David Carter Richardson Family Reunion is still on schedule for June 13,2020 at the Brunswick Manor in Brunswick. Any descendants that would like to attend must RSVP by May 31. Contact Robin Richardson Reese at 704/359-7221. DAvid had three wives Cordelia Williams, Frances Fail and Nancy Welch.
Found this tag in an old fedora that we have had for years.