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History of Carbondale, Illinois, USA
Journey back in time to Carbondale, Illinois, USA
Explore Carbondale, Illinois, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Carbondale Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

In August 1852, Daniel Harmon Brush, John Asgill Conner and Dr. William Richart bought 360 acres of land along the right-of-way for the Illinois Central Railroad with the intention of founding a new town. The site chosen was conveniently located between Marion and Murphysboro and between proposed railroad stations at Makanda and DeSoto.
The town was platted on November 27, 1852. Not only was the railroad the determining factor in the location of Carbondale, it was to be of great importance in the development of the town and of Southern Illinois. The first train through the town on the main line north from Cairo, on Independence Day, 1854, was the occasion for a community celebration...
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Discover Carbondale: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1889 - FIVE THRASHERS KILLED. TERRIBLE EXPLOSION OF A BOILER HALF A MILE FROM CARBONDALE, ILL.
Carbondale, Ill., Sept. 10. - The engine of a steam thrashing machine owned by Tiggett and BIggs, exploded Monday, half a mile east of Carbondale, killing five men. The engine was blown to atoms. Some of the men were hurled 175 feet.
The victims are:
JOHN SNYDER.
JOHN BIGGS.
ANDREW TIGGETT.
JOHN TIGGETT.
IKE MILLER.
All the bodies were terribly lacerated. SNYDER'S legs were blown off; BIGGS'S skull was broken and his body terribly cut; MILLER'S neck, arms and legs were broken, and every bone in the bodies of the TIGGETT brothers was broken. They were married men and have large families. BIGGS leaves a widow and eight children.
The men had been thrashing about an hour when the explosion occurred. The engine had just come from a DuQuoin shop and was considered safe.
Experts claim that pieces of the boiler picked up show that it was an old boiler, which had recently been repaired.
Logansport Journal
Logansport, Indiana
September 11, 1889
Carbondale, Ill., Sept. 10. - The engine of a steam thrashing machine owned by Tiggett and BIggs, exploded Monday, half a mile east of Carbondale, killing five men. The engine was blown to atoms. Some of the men were hurled 175 feet.
The victims are:
JOHN SNYDER.
JOHN BIGGS.
ANDREW TIGGETT.
JOHN TIGGETT.
IKE MILLER.
All the bodies were terribly lacerated. SNYDER'S legs were blown off; BIGGS'S skull was broken and his body terribly cut; MILLER'S neck, arms and legs were broken, and every bone in the bodies of the TIGGETT brothers was broken. They were married men and have large families. BIGGS leaves a widow and eight children.
The men had been thrashing about an hour when the explosion occurred. The engine had just come from a DuQuoin shop and was considered safe.
Experts claim that pieces of the boiler picked up show that it was an old boiler, which had recently been repaired.
Logansport Journal
Logansport, Indiana
September 11, 1889
1895 - Carbondale
Carbondale, a post-village of Jackson co., Ill., in Carbondale township, on the Illinois Central Railroad, which connects here with the Grand Tower & Carbondale Railroad, 57 miles N. of Cairo. It is the west terminus of the Carbondale & Shawneetown Railroad, and contains the Southern Illinois Normal University, founded in 1869, 2 banks, 4 churches, a flour-mill, and a woollen-mill. Two weekly newspapers are published here, and coal is mined near the place. Pop. in 1890, 2382; of the township, 3599.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Carbondale, a post-village of Jackson co., Ill., in Carbondale township, on the Illinois Central Railroad, which connects here with the Grand Tower & Carbondale Railroad, 57 miles N. of Cairo. It is the west terminus of the Carbondale & Shawneetown Railroad, and contains the Southern Illinois Normal University, founded in 1869, 2 banks, 4 churches, a flour-mill, and a woollen-mill. Two weekly newspapers are published here, and coal is mined near the place. Pop. in 1890, 2382; of the township, 3599.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1909 - 3 KILLED, 30 OR MORE INJURED. ILLINOIS CENTRAL TRAIN NO. 205 IN A BAD WRECK NEAR OAKLAND CEMETERY SHORTLY BEFORE NOON TODAY. CAUSE OF WRECK UNKNOWN.
MISS GRACE PERRY, OF CARBONDALE, ONE OF THOSE KILLED - AMONG THOSE SERIOUSLY INJURED ARE J. T. BENTLEY AND ED E. PATTERSON, OF THIS CITY - WORST DISASTER IN I. C. HISTORY IN THIS LOCALITY.
Carbondale, Illinois, (AP) -
The dead:
WALTER B. LONG, Joliet, Ill.
MRS. CERENA WALTON, Anna.
MISS GRACE PERRY, Carbondale.
Partial list of the injured:
MRS. JOHN DOUGLAS, Carbondale.
J. T. BENTLEY, Carbondale.
ED E. PATTERSON, Carbondale.
W. H. PINKERTON, Sparta, Ill.
J. B. O'NEILL, St. Louis, Mo.
M. GOLDSTEIN, St. Louis, Mo.
GUY HOLLINGSWORTH, Mt. Vernon, Ill.
JOHN DUDLEY, Johnston City, Ill.
REV. C. E. PERRYMAN, Herrin, Ill.
J. F. LINDSAY, St. Louis, Mo.
Three people killed, several probably fatally injured and a score of others less seriously injured, resulted today from the wrecking of Illinois Central passenger train No. 205 due here from St. Louis at 11:20 a.m.
The wreck occurred near the northwest city limits of Carbondale, about a mile west of St. Louis junction. The... Read MORE...
MISS GRACE PERRY, OF CARBONDALE, ONE OF THOSE KILLED - AMONG THOSE SERIOUSLY INJURED ARE J. T. BENTLEY AND ED E. PATTERSON, OF THIS CITY - WORST DISASTER IN I. C. HISTORY IN THIS LOCALITY.
Carbondale, Illinois, (AP) -
The dead:
WALTER B. LONG, Joliet, Ill.
MRS. CERENA WALTON, Anna.
MISS GRACE PERRY, Carbondale.
Partial list of the injured:
MRS. JOHN DOUGLAS, Carbondale.
J. T. BENTLEY, Carbondale.
ED E. PATTERSON, Carbondale.
W. H. PINKERTON, Sparta, Ill.
J. B. O'NEILL, St. Louis, Mo.
M. GOLDSTEIN, St. Louis, Mo.
GUY HOLLINGSWORTH, Mt. Vernon, Ill.
JOHN DUDLEY, Johnston City, Ill.
REV. C. E. PERRYMAN, Herrin, Ill.
J. F. LINDSAY, St. Louis, Mo.
Three people killed, several probably fatally injured and a score of others less seriously injured, resulted today from the wrecking of Illinois Central passenger train No. 205 due here from St. Louis at 11:20 a.m.
The wreck occurred near the northwest city limits of Carbondale, about a mile west of St. Louis junction. The... Read MORE...
1916
Carbondale, a banking city of Jackson co., 111., on the Illinois Central R., 57 miles N. of Cairo. It contains the Southern Illinois Normal University. Coal is mined near the place. Pop. in 1900, 3318.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Carbondale, a banking city of Jackson co., 111., on the Illinois Central R., 57 miles N. of Cairo. It contains the Southern Illinois Normal University. Coal is mined near the place. Pop. in 1900, 3318.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Whether you're into outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or just looking for some good eats, Carbondale has something to offer. Here's a list:
1. SIU Campus:
The Southern Illinois University (SIU) campus is the heart of Carbondale. Take a stroll through the beautiful campus, explore the Student Center, and catch a game at Saluki Stadium. The university often hosts cultural events, so check the calendar for any interesting happenings.
2. Shawnee National Forest:
Nature lovers, rejoice! Shawnee National Forest is a short drive from Carbondale and offers stunning hiking trails, camping sites, and beautiful lakes. Don't miss the Garden of the Gods, a mesmerizing rock formation with breathtaking views.
3. Hiking and Outdoor Activities:
Besides Shawnee, the Giant City State Park is another gem for outdoor enthusiasts. The Giant City Nature Trail is a must-do, with its unique rock formations and towering trees. You can also explore the park on horseback or rent a bike.
4. Cedar Lake:
If you're a fan of water activities, head to Cedar Lake. It's perfect for fishing, boating, or just relaxing by the water. The serene... Read MORE...
1. SIU Campus:
The Southern Illinois University (SIU) campus is the heart of Carbondale. Take a stroll through the beautiful campus, explore the Student Center, and catch a game at Saluki Stadium. The university often hosts cultural events, so check the calendar for any interesting happenings.
2. Shawnee National Forest:
Nature lovers, rejoice! Shawnee National Forest is a short drive from Carbondale and offers stunning hiking trails, camping sites, and beautiful lakes. Don't miss the Garden of the Gods, a mesmerizing rock formation with breathtaking views.
3. Hiking and Outdoor Activities:
Besides Shawnee, the Giant City State Park is another gem for outdoor enthusiasts. The Giant City Nature Trail is a must-do, with its unique rock formations and towering trees. You can also explore the park on horseback or rent a bike.
4. Cedar Lake:
If you're a fan of water activities, head to Cedar Lake. It's perfect for fishing, boating, or just relaxing by the water. The serene... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Carbondale Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Carbondale, Illinois, USA
We currently have information about 1 ancestors who were born or died in Carbondale.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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