|
|
 |
Randolph
County, Illinois
The people of Randolph
County want you to know that this is
“Where Illinois Began.” It’s their motto,
because of the region’s role in the settlement of
the state. Archaeological evidence reveals that around
8000 B.C., the limestone bluff today known as the
Modoc Rock Shelter once provided refuge for
prehistoric hunters, and later for early Indian tribes
in the area.
The county was named for Edmund Randolph, a noted
Revolutionary War soldier and statesman, U.S. attorney
general and former Governor of Virginia. In fact, the
area that is now Randolph County
was once part of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia eventually ceded its frontier holdings to the
Continental Congress which, in 1787, established the
Northwest Territory. In 1790, Ohio Governor Arthur St.
Clair proclaimed what is now downstate Illinois to be
called St. Clair County. On October 5, 1795, roughly
the southern half of then St. Clair County became
Randolph County.
The population of the largely agricultural Randolph
County is about 34,000, and the county seat is
Chester. Other cities in Randolph County include Ellis
Grove, Percy, Red Bud, Steeleville and Walsh. Chester
is the birthplace of Elzie Segar, the creator of the
cartoon character “Popeye, the Sailor Man.” A
statue stands next to the Chester Bridge as a tribute.
In addition, the annual “Popeye Picnic” is held
the weekend following Labor Day.
Randolph County is home to one of the state’s
largest parks.
Randolph
State Park provides 1,101 acres of fishing,
hiking, picnicking, boating, hunting and camping
opportunities, all just five miles northeast of
Chester.
<< Back
to Community Page
|
|
|
|
