McConnell, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McConnell, Illinois
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 McConnell, Illinois
Location in Illinois
McConnell, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Stephenson |
| Elevation | 778 ft (237 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
61050
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| Area code(s) | 815 & 779 |
| GNIS feature ID | 413219 |
McConnell is a small, unincorporated community in Stephenson County, Illinois. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government.
It is located in Waddams Township. McConnell is about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Orangeville. It is also about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Lena. You can find it 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Winslow. McConnell has its own post office, and its ZIP code is 61050.
Contents
History of McConnell
Early Settlement (1836-1837)
In 1836, a man named John Dennison decided to start a new town. He claimed about 1,000 acres (4 km2) of land. This land was located east of the Pecatonica River. The area had many trees, so a saw mill was needed.
A saw mill helps cut down trees into lumber. This mill was built north of a wooded area, next to a small creek. John Dennison and John Van Zant worked together to operate this mill. It was located on a creek called Muddy Creek.
The next year, Dennison and Van Zant planned out the town. Van Zant worked as the surveyor, measuring the land. Records from Stephenson County show the town was going to be called "Pennsylvania" or "New Pennsylvania."
McConnell's Grove (1838)
By the spring of 1838, Dennison and Van Zant had made many improvements to the land. They then sold everything, including the saw mill, to Robert McConnell. Robert McConnell decided to change the town's name. He renamed it "McConnell's Grove."
The closest town to get supplies and mail was Galena. To help the new community, McConnell built a storehouse. He traveled to Galena to buy goods. This allowed him to open a trading post in McConnell's Grove.
Official Land Deed (1842)
On March 11, 1842, an important step happened. The land Robert McConnell bought from Dennison and Van Zant became officially his. The United States government deeded the land to him. This official document came from the Land Office in Dixon.
