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Jeff Rankin

Jeff Rankin

Monmouth’s newspaper heritage began in 1846

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Until just a few years ago, Monmouth maintained a daily newspaper that originated in 1846 during the Mexican War. The…

May 20

Monmouth’s newspaper heritage began in 1846

May 20

Jeff Rankin

The Great Eclipse of 1869, through the eyes of a Monmouth College professor

As anticipation grows over the upcoming solar eclipse, I thought it would be interesting to look back on a similar astronomical event…

Apr 6

The Great Eclipse of 1869, through the eyes of a Monmouth College professor

Apr 6

Jeff Rankin

Northwestern University founder called Monmouth home

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Monmouth’s historic Quinby House was the home of a founder of Monmouth College. What is perhaps less well known is that…

Jul 14, 2023

Northwestern University founder called Monmouth home

Jul 14, 2023

Jeff Rankin

Monmouth physician dynasty began in 1837

MONMOUTH, Ill. — “This is a pleasant location and bids fair to be a thriving town.”

Jul 13, 2023

Monmouth physician dynasty began in 1837

Jul 13, 2023

Jeff Rankin

Might Edgar Allan Poe have made Oquawka a literary hub?

In the middle of the Bronx in New York City is a bustling neighborhood known as Fordham. In 1848, it was a sleepy rural village without…

Jan 12, 2023

Might Edgar Allan Poe have made Oquawka a literary hub?

Jan 12, 2023

Jeff Rankin

Tombstones tell interesting tales

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Walk up the 10 concrete steps to Monmouth’s Pioneer Cemetery at East Archer and 6th Street, and suddenly you find…

Dec 6, 2022

Tombstones tell interesting tales

Dec 6, 2022

Jeff Rankin

Monmouth’s industrial building boom of 1953

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Our future economic prosperity may lie in the tech and service industries, but 70 years ago manufacturing was still king…

Dec 1, 2022

Monmouth’s industrial building boom of 1953

Dec 1, 2022

Jeff Rankin

Monmouth pastor provided humanitarian relief during Civil War

MONMOUTH, Ill. — In recent months, we have become all too familiar with the collateral damage that war inflicts on innocent civilians. The…

Nov 30, 2022

Monmouth pastor provided humanitarian relief during Civil War

Nov 30, 2022

Jeff Rankin

Remnants of a bygone era

Several of Monmouth’s quirky voting houses still stand

Sep 16, 2022

Remnants of a bygone era

Sep 16, 2022

Jeff Rankin

Beloved veterinarian played Santa for decades

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Dr. Vird Odell Cudd had as many vocations as Forrest Gump, working as a circus performer, professor, veterinarian…

Aug 3, 2022

Beloved veterinarian played Santa for decades

Aug 3, 2022

Jeff Rankin

Jeff Rankin

Retired editor and historian for Monmouth College. Avid researcher of western Illinois history for 40 years. FB and Twitter. jrankin@monmouthcollege.edu

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