Chamness, Illinois facts for kids

Chamness was a small, lost community in Williamson County, Illinois. It was once a lively place, but it disappeared in the early 1940s. Today, the land where Chamness once stood is part of the beautiful Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is located southwest of Marion.

A Brief History of Chamness

Chamness began on January 24, 1889. It was a small settlement that did not have its own local government. The community was named after its first two postmasters, Marshall E. Chamness and Albert E. Chamness. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. The community had a ZIP Code of 62959. Chamness was active for only a short time. It was officially discontinued on April 30, 1902.

Why Chamness Disappeared

Chamness vanished because of big changes in the area. In the late 1930s, a large military facility called Ordill was built nearby. This project needed a lot of land. Then, in 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States government needed even more land for military purposes. The Department of War, which was in charge of the military, took over the area. This included the land where Chamness was located. Because of these changes, the community of Chamness ceased to exist.

Chamness Today

Today, you won't find any buildings or signs of the old Chamness community. The land it once occupied is now part of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area for wildlife and nature. It's a peaceful place where animals live freely. The story of Chamness reminds us how communities can change and disappear over time, especially when big historical events happen.