East Central Illinois

Ironically, some of the most fertile land in Illinois was the last to be settled for farming.   This region is well known today for being relatively flat with deep layers of highly-fertile soil.  What the region had to offer farming at the time of settlement was much different.  There were mounds of prairie grass that reached the sky with intermittent swamps throughout.   There were only scattered parcels of woodlands, an attribute that was necessary for building homes, provide wild game for food, and fuel for fires.    No major roads or river ways were close enough to move crops effectively to market.   As time moved on, the populations began to grow and so did new businesses.   As these prairies began to settle, the region hosted a few manufacturers that operated well into the 20th century.