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History
of Elsah
Set in a valley along the
Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton, Elsah
is often called the "town that time forgot." Despite
its old-fashioned character, Elsah is actually
younger than most towns in the region by at least
twenty years. Addison Greene became Elsah's first
settler in 1847 when he built a log cabin and
a river boat landing. Greene made his living by
chopping and selling firewood to the steamboats
plying the Mississippi River. The low ground encountered
when you first enter Elsah was the site of the
river boat harbor and the Corner Nest Bed and
Breakfast encapsulates Greene's original cabin.
In 1852 James Semple, a
local lawyer, prominent politician, and general
during the Black Hawk War, bought the valley from
James Paris of Grafton. In 1853 he founded the
town and offered free lots to anyone who built
houses with stone from his quarry. It is believed
that he named Elsah after Aisla Craig, the last
outcropping his family saw as they departed Scotland
for America. Although Elsah has been described
as the "New England of the Midwest," the village
is not a New England prototype derived from 18th
century colonial styles. Rather the architecture
found in Elsah demonstrates 19th century styles
and fashions including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival,
Mansard, Italianate, Salt Box, and Gambrel. Elsah
prospered as the main shipping point for the agricultural
goods produced by the farmers of Jersey County.
The town's importance diminished with the coming
of the railroad, later being revitalized when
Principia College was established in the 1930's.
Elsah remained a quiet
sleepy village until the opening of the Great
River Road in 1964. In 1973 the entire town was
placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Elsah is not a "museum village' but rather a community
whose homes are privately owned and not open to
the public. Today, Elsah provides visitors with
a unique look into America's past, with its narrow
streets, limestone and brick houses, and beautiful
gardens. Its autumn colors and close proximity
to Bald Eagle watching locations make it a popular
destination. Elsah's location on the Sam Vadalabene
Bike Trail makes it a popular stop for bikers
enjoying the Great River Road in any season (www.greatriverroad.com)
For more information go
to: www.elsah.org
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