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West Frankfort
Steffen Brown Like many towns in southern Illinois, West Frankfort has a deeply rooted, rich history. From the pioneering Jordan family to the resolute citizens of a town plagued with economic setbacks, the heritage and tradition of West Frankfort is as prolific as any in the state. The growth of a tiny fort into a state economic superpower is inspiring for any midwestern town. At the beginning of the 1800s, the Shawnee defeated the Kaskaskians in a tribal war over rights to hunting. These bountiful hunting grounds include what is today known as West Frankfort. Less than three years after this ferocious fight, the French en-
tered present-day Franklin County and erected a tannery for buffalo hides on Frankfort Hill, a location that would later become an integral part not only of the history of West Frankfort, but the state. Several years later, five Tennessee families wandered into the area and set up camp. They began living in primitive three-sided huts called pole sheds. These shelters served their purposes perfectly until Governor Ninian Edwards, in an effort to lessen the threat of Native Americans, ordered all settlers to begin building block-house forts. Francis Jordan purchased land for the fort and with the aid of the Saline Militia built the block house on what is now the edge of Williamson County. With help from Jordan and his brothers, other families, and their indentured servants, the fort was completed in 1811. Named after Francis Jordan, it was christened Frank's Fort. The fort was fully occupied until 1812, and then at intervals until 1817, when it was purchased by Francis Jordan's brother, James. Many aspects of Franklin County attracted settlers. The new feeling of possession caused by the general defeat of the Native Americans, in combination with the spirit of adventure, the lure of beauty, and apparently boundless freedom attracted settlers to the area. However, the main factor involved was economic. In 1805 Congress passed the Bit Act, which lowered land prices from $1.25 per acre to 12.5C an acre or $5 for 40 acres. The abundance of inexpensive land led to a rush of settlers immediately moving into the area. However, life in this place was not for the weak of heart or back. It was sometimes known as "paradise for men and dogs, but hell for women and oxen." Life for the settlers was good for hunting and fishing, but horrible for socializing and laboring. During this time, a town known as Frankfort (named after Frank's Fort) began to flouish. Between 1812 and 1815, more people settled in Frankfort than the entire county combined, due to the construction of a road through Frankfort from Shawneetown to Kaskaskia. In fact, Frankfort became a major location in Illinois during this time, rivaling Chicago in population. The push for Illinois statehood greatly affected Frankfort and the surrounding area. In 1818 an act of the territorial legislature created three new counties in an effort to meet requirement for admission to statehood. Part of this legislation, the Enabling Act, created a county of 430 square miles of rolling prairies and woods. It was named after Benjamin Franklin and had a population of 1,228, with 171 families, 52 free blacks, and 15 slaves. A temporary county seat was made at the house of Moses Garrett, an influential land owner. By 1820 Frankfort alone had a population of 1,763. Late in 1821 the county seat was moved to Garrett's tavern as a permanent location on top of Frankfort Hill. This was the same hill where the French had at one time operated a buffalo hide tannery. From this point on, Frankfort went through a series of economic ups and downs that gave West Frankfort the perseverance it has today. Although tobacco and castor beans for castor oil was a fairly steady trade for farmers, the commercial businessman occupied an unsteady market. In 1839 a railroad track making its way through Chicago, Paducah, and Memphis was laid through Franklin County four and one-fourth miles from Frankfort. This distance was too far for businesses to stay in Frankfort. However, a handful of stubborn citizens remained while the rest helped in creating a new town called West Frankfort. Unfortunately, as soon as this change occurred, an even more disheartening one took place. A commission elected by the Senate was to decide on a new county seat. In 1841 it decided that the neighboring town of Benton would become the new county seat. West Frankfort was presumed doomed. Once again, though, the determined businesses and citizens of West Frankfort refused to go quietly. A new flour mill was constructed and the castor oil business thrived. West Frankfort once again survived the hard times. As the years passed, West Frankfort's population dwindled but was never without its few diehard citizens. Little did the residents know that around the turn of the century they would multiply their population many times. Beginning in 1904 the Deering Coal Mine Company took Franklin County and West Frankfort from no coal production in 1900 to the number one coal producer in the state by 1917. Once the mines opened, the population increased 3,500 in seven years. By 1927 West Frankfort's population reached 19,896. To their dismay, the residents of West Frankfort would have to once again persevere through the years because one by one the mines began to close. By 1970 the population was down to 8,829. However, modern-day residents of West Frankfort have the strength of a century of determination to keep them company during the hard times. Now West Frankfort relies on furniture, printing, and other steadier businesses for their economy.—[From Hiram M. Aiken, Franklin County, Illinois: A History; Solon J. Buck, Illinois in 1818; Walter Collins, West Frankfort, Illinois: Report of the Historical Committee; Frankfort Area Historical Society, History of West Frankfort, Illinois; Joseph F. Jurich, This is Franklin Co.; Franklin County Illinois: Description of Land and Travel; H. Fred Hollamy, "Report of the Historical Building of Franklin Co."]
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