Morgan County History and Information

Court Records | Vital Records | CENSUS Records | TAX Records | Military Records | Church & Cemetery |
Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites |

Morgan County was created on January 31, 1823 (Laws, 1823, p. 108.) and was formed from unorganized land (Greene County ) and Sangamon County. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: County Greene County (1821–1823) , Madison County (1812–1821) and St. Clair County (1790–1812) .

The County was named for Daniel Morgan, a General of the Revolution, who, as commander of the "Rifle Brigade," served with distinction at Quebec, Saratoga, the Cowpens, and other important engagements. The County Seat is Jacksonville. Prior County Seats was Olmstead’s Mounds—Temporary designation (1823–1825) and Jacksonville (1825–Present) . See also County History for more historical details. Most records lost (1823–1827) due to a Fire on December 6, 1827

Counties adjacent to Morgan County are Cass County (north) , Sangamon County (east) , Macoupin County (southeast) , Greene County (south) , Pike County (west) , Scott County (west) , Brown County (northwest) .

Morgan County has never adopted township form of government. The county has been divided into precincts. Morgan County Precincts include Alexander, Arcadia, Chapin, Concord, Franklin, Jacksonville No. 1, Jacksonville No. 2, Jacksonville No. 3, Jacksonville No. 4, Jacksonville No. 5, Jacksonville No. 6, Jacksonville No. 7, Jacksonville No. 8, Jacksonville No. 9, Jacksonville No. 10, Jacksonville No. 11, Jacksonville No. 12, Jacksonville No. 13, Jacksonville No. 14, Jacksonville No. 15, Jacksonville No. 16, Jacksonville No. 17, Jacksonville No. 18, Jacksonville No. 19, Jacksonville No. 22, Jacksonville No. 23, Jacksonville No. 24, Jacksonville No. 25, Jacksonville No. 26, Jacksonville No. 27, Jacksonville No. 28, Literberry, Lynnville, Markham, Meredosia No. 1, Meredosia No. 2, Murrayville No. 1, Murrayville No. 2, Nortonville, Pisgah, Prentice, Waverly No. 1, Waverly No. 2, Waverly No. 3, Woodson Precinct

Cities, Towns and Communities include Chapin, Concord, Franklin, Jacksonville, Lynnville, Meredosia, Murrayville, South Jacksonville, Waverly, Woodson

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Records at the County Courthouse

See Also Illinois Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Search Illinois Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

The Official County website is located at http://www.morgancounty-il.com/. All departments below at located at the Morgan County Courthouse, 300 W. State Street, Jacksonville, IL 62650 , unless a different address is listed below.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Most records lost (1823–1827) due to a Fire on December 6, 1827

Morgan County Circuit Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1824 and Court Records from 1827 and is located at the address above. Phone Number:

The Clerk of the Circuit Court, commonly known as the Circuit Clerk, is the keeper of the files and records of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk works at the direction of Circuit Court, Appellate Court and Supreme Court of Illinois and is mandated to follow and enforce the laws of the State of Illinois. The Circuit Clerk's Office processes all documents in criminal law, chancery, support, probate, adoption, juvenile, drainage, local improvement, mental, small claims, traffic, ordinance violations, prepares appeals to the higher court, issues passports, summons jurors, tax deeds and handles approximately ten million dollars in costs, fines, restitution, investments and support each year. The Office also issues summonses, writs, attachments, subpoenas and all other tasks as mandated by the courts.

Morgan County Recorder has Land Records from 1824 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number:

The County Recorder of Deeds serves the people of County by receiving, filing and maintaining all records related to real property in our county. These documents range from all types of conveyance deeds, mortgages, releases and assignments, property liens, as well as, assorted federal, state and local liens. The Recorder’s office is responsible for the recordation and storage of plats of subdivision, land surveys and monument records. Many other types of miscellaneous documents are recorded, such as; foreign birth certificates, foreign marriage licenses, and military discharge paperwork to name a few.

Morgan County Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1877 and Marriage Records from 1827 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number:

The County Clerk maintains records and issues certificates of vital statistics (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) for the entire County.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Court Records by clicking the link below:

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Morgan County, Illinois Court Books at Amazon.com
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
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County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in Illinois

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702-5097. It can take up to 6 weeks to get a vital record from Illinois.

A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in the state of Illinois. Births and deaths before January 1, 1916 and marriages before January 1, 1962 are recorded only in the office of the county clerk where the event occurred. Most county clerks have indexes to the records that are prior to 1916 that are available for the purpose of genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in county courthouses located throughout the state. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, the law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk's staff. When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fee. Please check with the county clerk for fees and policies on reviewing indexes.

  • Birth, Death Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Illinois from 1916 to the present.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $17.00 (long) or $10.00 (uncertified) per certificate by mail [application for birth records, application for death records].
      Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • In Person: In-person orders can be dropped off for mail out within two business days at the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records office, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. (Large volume orders may take longer.) PLEASE NOTE: the person requesting the record will be asked to show a valid picture identification card.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates:The Division of Vital Records also maintains an index of marriages & divorces from 1962 to the present. Copies of the marriage & divorce records are available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was obtained or divorce was granted. Fees vary.
    • Cost: $5.00 by MAIL. Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Illinois newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Database index on death certificates for the years 1916 to 1950
  • Statewide Marriage Index, 1763 to 1900
  • Illinois Marriages to 1850: This database of Illinois marriages to 1850 contains over 155,000 names.
  • Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860: This database is an index to individuals who were married in Illinois between 1790 and 1860.
  • Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900: This database is an index to approximately 707,000 individuals who were married in select areas of Illinois between 1851 and 1900.
  • Morgan County, Illinois Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for Illinois

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Morgan County, Illinois are 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Morgan County, Illinois are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Census Records by clicking the link below:

  • Morgan County, Illinois Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Ohio and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Illinois showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

You can view rotating animated maps for Illinois showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Maps. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Illinois

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

The first known tax authorization in Illinois fell under the jurisdiction of the Territory of the United States North West of the River Ohio. The tax was based on every hundred acres of unimproved uncleared prairie or wood land, divided into three classes based on quality of earth surface and soil. The rates were thirty, twenty, and ten cents, to be paid annually. Property with delinquent taxes was sold at public auction. There do not appear to be any surviving tax records from this territorial period.

Beginning with statehood, tax records form a large part of county archival material. The 1819 laws provided the first taxation process, imposing taxes on land, bank stock owned, slaves and indentured negroes or mulattoes, plus a poor tax. The tax was collected by the county with income divided between the county and state. Taxpayers lists were eliminated in 1824, and in 1825 a county road tax and school taxes were enacted.

Original and microfilmed tax records at Illinois Regional Archives Depositories include taxable land lists, assessors books, railroad tax books, road tax records, and collectors books, the earliest record dated 1817. Other county tax records are located in county seats.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Tax Records by clicking the link below:

  • Morgan County, Illinois Tax Books at Amazon.com
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County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Illinois Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

  • Jacksonville Area Genealogical & Historical Society, Jacksonville
  • Meredosia Area Historical & Genealogical Society, PO Box 304, Meredosia IL 62665
  • Morgan Area Genealogical Association, Jacksonville
  • Waverly Genealogical & Historical Society, 157 E. Tremont, Waverly IL 62692
  • Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University of Illinois at Springfield, LIB 144, One University Plaza, MS BRK 140, Springfield IL 62703-5407; Telephone: (217) 206-6520. Map and Directions. Covers the following counties: Bond, Cass, Christian, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott. Hours: Monday – Friday, except state holidays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • National Archives - Great Lakes Region(Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois 60629-5898; 773-948-9001; E-mail: chicago.archives@nara.gov (Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.)
    General Information Leaflet
  • Illinois State Archives, Norton Building, Capitol Complex, Springfield, IL 62756; TELEPHONE: (217) 782-4682, Fax: (217) 524-3930; HOURS: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • The Illinois State Historical Society, 210 1/2 S. Sixth, Springfield, IL 62701-1503; Phone: (217)525-2781, Fax: (217)525-2783, [EMAIL]
  • Illinois State Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 10195, Springfield, IL 62791; Phone: (217) 789-1968, [EMAIL]
  • Illinois State Library, 300 South 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1796; Phone: (217) 785-5600
  • Illinois State Historical Library, Old State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701
    County histories, plat books, census indexes, cemetery indexes, city material, family and association files, microfilmed newspapers, manuscripts, and photographs are located beneath the restored old state capitol between 5th and 6th streets and Washington and Adams streets.
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Illinois Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Illinois

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

There are many churches and cemeteries in Morgan County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Morgan County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Despite the early Catholic missionaries in Illinois, their church had almost totally disappeared from the state by the time of the American Revolution. Later migration of English-speaking Catholics reestablished the church in the state. In 1850 the largest religious denomination in Illinois was the Methodists. Baptists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Congregationalists followed. Episcopalians had organized in the state in 1835, the Disciples of Christ were in Illinois prior to 1830, and the Lutherans grew in numbers with the German and Scandinavian emigration of the 1840s.

The Genealogical Society of Utah and the Daughters of the American Revolution have compiled cemetery records for the state of Illinois. Soldiers' Burial Places in State of Illinois for Wars 1774-1898 is available on thirty-one reels of microfilm from the FHL. Local genealogical societies may have information and possible printed records of cemeteries in their locale.

Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Morgan County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Morgan County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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Extended History

 

Daniel Morgan [1736-1802] was an early soldier in the American Colonies, during Pontiac's War [1764] and Dunmore's War [1774]. During the Revolution, he served as colonel of a Virginia regiment, then became a Brigadier General. He commanded the "The Rifle Brigade", serving with distinction at Quebec, Saratoga, and the Cowpens. He commanded the Virginia Militia in the suppression of the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794 in Pennsylvania. He was a representative from Virginia from 1797-99.

Established in 1823

The area was originally part of Madison County, which was formed in 1812, before Illinois become a state.

The present-day counties of Cass and Scott were part of Morgan County until 1837 and 1839, respectively. The boundary line with Cass County was originally further north than the current boundary which was established in 1845.

Morgan County measures 24 x 24 miles or 576 square miles wide. The county seat is in Jacksonville, which is named after General Andrew Jackson.

Morgan County has seen 3 courthouses in its 179 years. The first courthouse was built in 1826. It was a 2-story frame building 30 x 40 in size. This courthouse burnt on December 6, 1827. The second courthouse was built in September of 1830 and served the county for 39 years until the third courthouse was built. It was this courthouse than men such as Steven A. Douglas served as States Attorney and Abraham Lincoln was an attorney.

The third courthouse was started in 1868 and took 1½ years to complete. It was not moved into until November 1869. The commissioners at that time asked for bids for the new courthouse; the lowest bid was $147,000 by C. R. Underwood. The actual cost of the courthouse was $204,000. The Morgan County Courthouse is a model of simplicity and strength in construction. It is constructed of stone with every third tier running through the entire wall. The exterior stone came from the quarries of Joliet, the architecture reflects the influence of the French Renaissance style in its dormer-windowed, twin towers, in the arched and rounded windows, and in the pillared and arched front entrance.

Our courthouse is now 134 years old and still stands majestically as the center of our legal system. The structure has been renovated by our County Commissioners. Most recently, the dedicated Ladies of the Jacksonville Emblem Club worked diligently to restore the great bell tower and clock and today it performs in a like new manner.

Jacksonville History & Facts

First settlers

The first settlers began arriving in Morgan County around 1818 but it was not until 1823 that the county was formally organized. Jacksonville was laid out on a 40 acre tract in 1825 and was chosen as the Morgan County seat. Named for General Andrew Jackson, the city was incorporated in 1867.

Illinois College and MacMurray College

In 1829 Illinois College was founded by John Ellis and a group of Congregational-Presbyterian missionaries call the "Yale Band". Beecher Hall, erected in 1829, was the first college building built in Illinois. It was named for Edward Beecher, the first president of the college and brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe. "Old Beecher," as the building is sometimes called, is still standing today. (The building shown here is Sturtevant Hall, built in 1857)

Illinois College granted the first bachelor's degree in the state in 1835 and began the first medical school in Illinois in 1843.

The Illinois Female Academy, now MacMurray College, was founded in 1846 by Methodist clergy, including Peter Cartwright. In 1931, the school adopted the current name in honor of Senator James E. MacMurray. It was more than a century later, in 1955, that the school became coeducational. Shown here is the Annie Merner Chapel at MacMurray College

Early Churches

The first Jacksonville churches were organized in these early years. Among the prominent preachers of the time were Peter Cartwright (Methodist) and Barton W. Stone (Christian Church - Disciples) .

State Institutions

Because of humanitarian and political influences in Jacksonville, three state institutions for the care of the handicapped were located here. The Illinois School for the Deaf was chartered in 1839 and began classes in 1845. The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired began as a private school in 1847 and was turned into a public institution in 1848. The Jacksonville Mental Health and Developmental Center was authorized a charter in March, 1847, only two months after Dorothea Dix, the legendary champion of prison and state hospital reform, appealed to the state legislature for it.

Leaders and Innovators

Jacksonville has contributed a remarkable number of leaders and innovators to the state and to the nation.

In 1833, Jonathan B. Turner settled in Jacksonville as a professor at Illinois College. He originated the osage orange hedge which became the first effective method of fencing the North American grasslands. Turner was also as great proponent of the public school system in Illinois and is recognized as the father of the land-grant college idea. His goals for the public school system were realized in 1840 by an Illinois College graduate and Jacksonville teacher, Newton Bateman, who organized the first free public school in Illinois and later became president of the Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. Lincoln's arch-rival Stephen A. Douglas became Morgan County prosecuting attorney in 1835, and William Jennings Bryan, an Illinois College graduate, practiced law in Jacksonville from 1883-1887.

Jacksonville also contributed three governors to Illinois - Joseph Duncan (served 1834-1838) , Richard Yates (served during the Civil War, 1861-1865) , and Richard Yates, Jr. (1901-1905) . Governor Duncan's home still stands within Duncan Park on West State Street.

During the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant camped his Illinois Division (21st Illinois Infantry) on what is now the Morgan County fairgrounds.

In 1864, Dr. Greene Vardiman Black, the father of modern dentistry, began his Jacksonville practice which would continue for 34 years. His Jacksonville office has been reconstructed as an exhibit in the Smithsonian Institute.

In 1900, William E. Sullivan began manufacturing Ferris wheels in Jacksonville and set his first model in operation on the public square. Now in its third generation in business, Sullivan's organization, the Eli Bridge Company, is the oldest firm in the country making Ferris wheels as a stock item, and is one of the few such firms, in the world.

One of the three bandstands built around 1879 on the Jacksonville Mental Health and Developmental Center grounds was recently moved to the Smithsonian Institute for restoration and display. The bandstand has been restored to its original state and plays host to numerous concerts as it once did in Jacksonville.

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