Our Rural Heritage
184 stories
Vasko Honored with Best of Illinois History
The Illinois State Historical Society announced it will honor Farmers Weekly Review columnist Sandy Vasko with a 2023 ISHS “Best…
The (in)famous Dr. Henri Le Caron, pride of Braidwood
By Sandy Vasko Several former Braidwoodites have achieved national and even international recognition. We think of Anton Cermak for instance. …
Civil War: May 1864, recruiting 100-day men
By Sandy Vasko In the spring of 1864, the Governor of Illinois put out a call for 20,000 “three-month men”…
No rhyme or reason, quirky bits from the past
By Sandy Vasko As you have probably gathered by now, I get much of my information from newspapers. Not every…
Civil War: March 1864 – The hell of prison camps
By Sandy Vasko Last time we spoke about the war, the men of the 20th were going home, as were…
Gypsies, tramps and … vagabonds
By Sandy Vasko The 1870s were known for hard times. The country was filled with immigrants looking for work. But…
Civil War: February 1864, going home at last
By Sandy Vasko Winter quarters were the rule for most Will County regiments in early 1864, but not the men…
Civil War: January 1864, looking for a few good men
By Sandy Vasko As 1864 began, most of the Will County men were in winter camp, some were home on…
The Diamond Coal Mine Disaster of 1883
By Sandy Vasko February and floods, they go together. The recent flooding in Wilmington proves it yet again. All across…
Farm Days Gone By
Bettenhausen Farm, John & Elizabeth Bettenhausen Family 1892 Andy Partak of Manhattan shares this photo of John & Elizabeth Bettenhausen’s…
The dangers of getting from here to there
By Sandy Vasko While stuck in traffic the other day, I expressed the wish that I had a horse. They…
Civil War: December, 1863 – Going into winter camp
By Sandy Vasko As December 1863 showed her frosty face, the brave soldiers from Will County serving on the front…