Harrisburg

James A. Harris moved to this area in the 1820’s and established a sawmill and mule barn near the present corner of Vine and Church streets. Harris, John Cain, John Pankey and James Yandall donated land for the town site, platted in 1853. The area was known as “Crusoe’s Island” because it resembled an island during the frequent floods of the time. The first business was a grocery store built of logs, operated by James Feazel, located south of the city square on what is now Poplar Street. The county seat officially moved from Raleigh to Harrisburg in 1859.

Harrisburg, Illinois · United States