SAVANNAH.

The town of Savannah was laid out August 12, 1836, by County Surveyor William C. Butler, on the southeast quarter of Section 29, in Cold- brook township, about one mile north of the present village of Cameron. Savannah had a public square and twelve blocks. John G. Haley was the owner of the townsite.

Later the town was called Coldbrook because of the cold springs along the creek north of it, and from the town the township took its name.

At one time Savannah was quite a town and did a thriving trade. The Brink & Walker stage from Springfield to Oquawka passed through there, and it was the only stopping place between Knoxville and Monmouth.

Jacob Rust was the proprietor of the first store, and Alva Gordon was the first postmaster.

H. E. Haley succeeded him in 1840, and he was followed by A. D. Hawkins, who was the last postmaster at Savannah, the post office being removed with the town to Cameron in 1855.

Hagett & Bundy had a blacksmith shop here as early as 1832. The town was for years the home of the first Christian church organized in Warren county, now the Cameron Christian church.

Records at the court house show that on October 22, 1840, David Richmond deeded to John G. Haley, Josiah Whitman, Isaac Murphy, Joseph Murphy and Patrick R. Haley, trustees of that church, lot 64 in Coldbrook

. Provision was made that "any other church may hold meetings in the meeting house now standing on said land, so that they do not interrupt the appointments of the Church of Christ aforesaid.

 

Past and Present of Warren County

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