This is just a nice, quick read (mostly historic photos with description) about the area, and how it was established.
I was totally unaware that there was a massive resort there once!
I love the college there too, LMU is a cool place with a Col. Sanders connection!
I didn't catch her name, but there was a very sweet lady running the place, who was proud of the area, and all that it had going on. She gave us a lot of great info on the area!
The shop itself had a lot of cool items that my wife and I both appreciated. There were local crafts, jewelry and other items. I was thrilled to see a well stocked local book section, and "New Salem" gift items.... as there are no gift shops at this time at the state park.
One book that I picked up at the Crazy Daisy gift shop was Raymond H. Montgomery's "In the Shadows of Greatness".
Montgomery, a local historian, gives first hand accounts by locals concerning the legendary area's history. His family has lived in the location for generations, and he gives some interesting facts about the locals. One (of the many) things I love about this book, is that Montgomery gets first hand accounts from some old timers about the towns connection to legendary circus performers AND there is a first hand account from a cousin of Ann Rutledge, discussing Abe Lincoln and Ann's relationship!
The author has given information on the less famous locals, and the buildings around this fascinating area. In fact, it has really inspired me to think about another trip to this part of Illinois, just to soak in some more New Salem and Petersburg.
This book is a bit obscure, the usual book selling web sites are asking a steep $40 plus for this one. You can get a new copy at the Crazy Daisy for about half that though, and it is well worth the cover price. Oh, I LOVE the cover to this book too!
He knows that I love history, especially pioneer related stories, and strange ones. Well, as I am sure you know, the Donner Party's story fits that bill for sure!
AND, I was about to visit Springfield Illinois again for the FOURTH time.... Springfield has a TON of history (the names Lincoln and Obama come to mind) but the town was also the starting point for the Donner Expedition. There is a marker right by the old Court House about this, and the members of the party camped out there at the beginning of their sad adventure out west.
The Donner story has been told a million times, and I think most of us know the main details.... but, I think many people forget that this was a brave group who was willing to risk everything for a new start in the west. This was, in many ways a moving town with rules, leaders and norms. Good things happened, and so did bad things.
This book is the telling of the story told by the daughter of Jack Donner, who was part of the Expedition, as a three year old. Much of what she tells is second hand information given to her years later. She does discuss crime among the party members. She talks about a mother "trading" out the young Donners clothes to benefit her own daughters. She talks of her being abandoned by mem paid to help get her to safety. And she talks openly about finding an adopted family that helps her after the death of her own parents.
Yes, we all know about the cannibalism in the Donner story (the author, surely for self protection mentally, accepts a story that contradicts most of the known facts)- but this book is a real, personal tale of what could go wrong to those early pioneers.
