Our Rural Heritage
184 stories
Civil War: April and May 1863, watching the war
By Sandy Vasko April of 1863 saw the troops from Will County getting prepared for battle once again. Marches and…
Putting Walking Shoes Where Your Mouth Is
By Sandy Vasko Do you remember the hula hoop? Don’t answer, it will show your age. I ask this because…
Put ‘Em Up! Prize fighting, illegal and popular
By Sandy Vasko The why of it is unknown, but everyone loves a good fight. Whether it’s in the movies…
Civil War: February, March 1863, the lull before the storm
The 39th Illinois Volunteer artillery, just before the Battle of Charleston. By Sandy Vasko Last time we talked about the…
Give Them Land, but No Irish Need Apply
By Sandy Vasko There was a saying in Will County when the I & M Canal was being built: “There…
Hadley: A once thriving community, all but gone
By Sandy Vasko Will County is full of them. Little crossroad communities that appeared from nowhere, and then slowly melted…
Civil War: January 1863, a Stones’ throw from death
By Sandy Vasko Today, we continue our look at the Civil War. We are with the 100th at the Battle…
Labor Day, why we celebrate it
By Sandy Vasko Another Labor Day has passed, but we can’t let it be ignored. The tradition of unions in…
Can’t have Prairie Chickens without a prairie
By Sandy Vasko Since the time of the Paleo-hunters, this region has drawn the fisherman and hunter to its abundance. …
Civil War: November, 1862 – of Mules and Men
By Sandy Vasko November of 1862 saw most of the Will County regiments starting for winter camps. The heavy fighting…
Civil War: December 1862, no rest for the 100th
By Sandy Vasko While the other Will County regiments were going into winter camp, the 100th, the latest Will County…
19th century high crimes and misdemeanors
By Sandy Vasko It is not doubt that we, as a society, are fascinated by crime and criminals. Look at…