Boskydell, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boskydell, Illinois
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 Boskydell, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Boskydell, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Jackson |
| Elevation | 413 ft (126 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 404705 |
Boskydell is a small, quiet place in Makanda Township, Jackson County, Illinois, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Boskydell became famous for its amazing, high-quality sandstone, which was dug up from two big quarries nearby.
Contents
The Story of Boskydell
Early Discoveries and Railroad
The story of Boskydell began way back in 1852. People surveying for the Illinois Central Railroad found something special there. They discovered a very good supply of sandstone. This sandstone was perfect for building bridges and supports for the new railroad tracks.
Because of this discovery, a special side track was built to the quarry in Boskydell. As more people settled near the tracks, this side track became a busy spot. Farmers used it to ship their crops, and lumber was sent out from here too.
How Boskydell Got Its Name
In 1876, the person who ran the quarry, Samuel Cleland, decided to create a town. He measured out lots for houses near the railroad. He named the new town Boskydell, which means "brushy valley."
A small village quickly grew around the railroad stop. It soon had important businesses that people needed every day. There was a blacksmith shop, where metal goods were made and repaired. There were also two general stores and two cream stations. A cooperage, where barrels were made, also opened.
Growing Community and Famous Stone
In 1885, Boskydell got its own post office. Around this time, a second quarry was opened to dig up even more sandstone.
The sandstone from Boskydell was very special. It had a beautiful warm, reddish-brown color. This unique stone was used to build many important buildings across Illinois.
Buildings Made with Boskydell Sandstone
- The foundation of Southern Illinois University Carbondale in nearby Carbondale, Illinois was built with Boskydell stone.
- A Methodist church in Murphysboro, Illinois also used this stone.
- The First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale and the former First Baptist Church of Carbondale also featured Boskydell sandstone.
- Even local gravestones in Oakland Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery in Carbondale were carved from it.
Most famously, Boskydell sandstone was used for the huge columns on the north, east, and south sides of the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois. The decorative trimmings on the front of the capitol building also used this special stone.
Modernizing the Quarries
In 1883, a stone merchant from Chicago named Mr. Rawles bought the Boskydell quarries. He spent a lot of money, about forty thousand dollars, to bring in modern machines. These machines made the work much easier and faster. They included hoisting machines to lift heavy stones, dressing machines to shape them, and steam drills. There were also saws and a special "gravity railroad" that moved stone from the quarries down to the Illinois Central Railway.
Boskydell in the Early 1900s
By 1909, Boskydell was a busy and successful place. It had many thriving businesses. There was a bank, two places to rent horses and carriages (livery stables), and even a rifle range. The town also had a grain warehouse, a saw mill, and four grocery stores. A tonsorial parlor, which was a fancy name for a barber shop, also served the community. Of course, there was also a school for the children.
Boskydell Today
Today, Boskydell is a much quieter place. Only a few residents live there. The famous quarries that once supplied stone for grand buildings have been closed for many years.
However, the Boskydell Baptist Church is still an important part of the community. It was started in 1906 as the Boskydell Free Baptist Church. The Reverend A. J. Rendleman was its first pastor.
