Researching southern Illinois for a novel (Chicago, Rock Island: weddings, theater, schools)

[pamungie]

I grew up in mid-Illinois and as an adult, lived in Edwardsville for a few years. I'm working on a fictional novel set in 1949 somewhere in southern Illinois. I think the area is interesting, so I'm researching attitudes, expressions/sayings, how people lived back then, any memories you feel ok to share!

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Look up a little town called "Anna", and the acronym the locals have for it, LOL.

Even though Illinois was a "free" state during the Civil War, many residents of the southern part of the state identify more with states like TN than they do Chicago, they resent "The War of Northern Aggression" and have "Southern Pride".

[GWoodle]

No better place than Cairo IL. May have had a population in the 1940's. Worth a visit with your camera to see the ghost town that is left. Not sure when City of New Orleans Amtrak train last stopped there.

[Sassybluesy]

Originally Posted by GWoodle

No better place than Cairo IL. May have had a population in the 1940's. Worth a visit with your camera to see the ghost town that is left. Not sure when City of New Orleans Amtrak train last stopped there.

Service ended in 87.


Isn't Cairo mentioned in Tom Sawyer, or Huck Finn?

[christianstad]

My aunt through marriage was from Breese, Il. which I found to be an interesting little town.
Most residents were of German extraction and learned to speak German in schools plus they were taught German crafts such as needlework, etc. Even the boys took it.
The women got together to make beautiful quilts - the ones with the hand stitches just 1/4" or less apart. They had quilting bee's as late as the 1980's (maybe still do) and each person in the group would have one made for their intention - taking turns. Weddings, births, etc.

[FalstaffBlues]

Originally Posted by Curly Q. Bobalink

Look up a little town called "Anna", and the acronym the locals have for it, LOL.

Even though Illinois was a "free" state during the Civil War, many residents of the southern part of the state identify more with states like TN than they do Chicago, they resent "The War of Northern Aggression" and have "Southern Pride".

If we're speaking in generalities, they identify with Kentucky not Tennessee. Saying that people in Southern Illinois don't "identify" with Chicago is putting it lightly. Except Carbondale, Southern Illinoisan's hate that they share a state with Chicago and would love to be annexed by any of the three bordering states.

I would research the history of the Coal mining and Oil drilling in this part of the state. Its fascnating and could be a cool backdrop to your novel.

[Vasily]

Originally Posted by FalstaffBlues

Saying that people in Southern Illinois don't "identify" with Chicago is putting it lightly.

I grew up in Rock Island west of Chicago on the Mississippi, and back in the 1950s and 1960s we didn't "identify" with Chicago either. Or care for its dominance over the rest of the state.

[dcisive]

I went to SIU in Carbondale back in 71-74. Back then they most certainly did NOT identify with anything near Chicago at all. They identified with Kentucky/Tennessee and Missouri to be sure. Unless that town changed a ton I don't think they care a rats patootie about Chicago. Back in the day they would have preferred to succeed altogether from any association. Actually I found it quite refreshing. I departed from the Chicago area back in 81 and have never looked back nor cared to. It's been a great life ever since. As for Cairo which was discussed earlier, there was actually a time that town thrived, They had a society, theater and quite the social groups. It denigrated into a racist town and disintegrated by the early 70's.

[FalstaffBlues]

Originally Posted by dcisive

I went to SIU in Carbondale back in 71-74. Back then they most certainly did NOT identify with anything near Chicago at all. They identified with Kentucky/Tennessee and Missouri to be sure. Unless that town changed a ton I don't think they care a rats patootie about Chicago. Back in the day they would have preferred to succeed altogether from any association. Actually I found it quite refreshing. I departed from the Chicago area back in 81 and have never looked back nor cared to. It's been a great life ever since. As for Cairo which was discussed earlier, there was actually a time that town thrived, They had a society, theater and quite the social groups. It denigrated into a racist town and disintegrated by the early 70's.

Then the Chicago influence in Carbondale has certainly grown since the early 70s which makes sense because in the early 70s it would have still been a relatively young university. (It was a normal college until the late 40s).

[dcisive]

I'd consider that a sad change. Sorry