The village of Grand Ridge is situated in the south central part of La Salle
county, a county that is second in size to but one other in the State. In
wealth, natural resources, and natural beauty, La Salle County is second to none
and has the finest sand for glass manufacturing in the United States.
Grand Ridge is located on the Bloomington road, a road of historic interest. It
has one railroad, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and is located eight miles
south of Ottawa, the County seat. Grand Ridge at first was named Livonia. No one
knows why it was so called, but because of its being the highest point of land
between Streator and Ottawa, it was called Grand Ridge.
The first store
was built in 1870, a small board building, which was later moved and enlarged.
The first grain elevator was built in 1871. Elias Care was the first postmaster,
and the first doctor was J. S. Lewis.
For many years no one thought of
incorporating the village. But in 1890 Judge Lincoln issued an order for the
first election to be held in Poundstone's Hall on January thirteenth in 1891. An
election was held to elect a president and six trustees. Later a clerk and a
marshall were appointed. After this election and ruling, the city began to take
on certain city airs, such as level sidewalks and other things.
Grand
Ridge now has two good churches, and a good school, only a three year high
school course, but we hope to have a four-year state accredited school course,
and a new unit to our school building, which we need very badly.
Grand
Ridge had one hotel on Silvan Avenue, which is still there. Another hotel of
much fame was located on the Bloomington Road is the old Good Tavern, just three
and one-half miles north of Grand Ridge. It was built on top of the Covel creek
hill. A large wooden building, some sixty by seventy feet. The front hall or
office opened into an elaborate bar-room or saloon where most everything was
served. Upstairs was a large dance hall where people for miles around came to
mingle and dance, as was the custom at that time.
It has been long said
that farmers and old settlers from all over Livingston County and the south of
La Salle County used to haul their grain all the way to Chicago over this very
road.
One fellow would have maybe six or eight wagons tied one behind
the other, the mules with ropes around their necks, and their necks would be
very sore from the long heavy pull. The men would make this Good Hotel their
stopping place both going and coming from Chicago. There was no bridge at Ottawa
and the loads would be ferried across the Illinois. Then on to Chicago over the
pathless prairies. It was a long hard trail for both men and mules.
Some
of the men, I have heard, have come back as far as the Good Hotel with their
hard-earned money and then been robbed, and many disappeared. Anyway, their
relatives have come up from Bloomington looking for them but could find no trace
of them. Others would reach home minus their money, but glad to escape with
their lives.
Another hotel of evil repute was one down south of
Streator, built in a marsh or swamp. Very few trails led into this place. Many
people have been known to have gone to these hotels and never have been seen nor
heard of again.
I am glad to live near Grand Ridge on a good road" in
good La Salle county, to have a good school, good teachers and a good county
superintendent. Hurrah for Grand Ridge!
Extracted 06 Jun 2015 by Norma Hass from Stories of Pioneer Days in La Salle County, Illinois, by Grammar Grade Pupils, published in 1932, page 79.
Extracted 08 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from Stories of Pioneer Days in La Salle County, Illinois, by Grammar Grade Pupils, published in 1932, page 82.
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Kendall |
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