Town of Cleveland

Cleveland is the oldest laid out town in Henry County, the date of it goes back to 1836. It's located on the south bank of the Rock River and in the present there isn't much left of Cleveland.

It's sponsors were Charles Atkinson and George D. Taber. At the time of it's platting it was Knox County. It was located located on the river and on the stage road between Knoxville and Galena. The first homes were built in the summer of 1837 for George Tyler and Charles Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson's cabin was a double cabin with room for a store in it. They were built by Thomas Glenn and George Brandenburg.

In 1869 a grist mill was built by the Cleveland Hydralic Company. It was located on the river and was powered by it's water. The main population for several years was the miners and proprietors of the mines, operating the many mines in the vicinity. After several years the depression of mining caused the population to decrease. A hotel and a few stores were able to do business and in 1875 a school was built. In was in Cleveland that Henry County's first religious society was formed.

History of Henry County

Submiited by Wini Caudell

 

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