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Jeff Rankin

Jeff Rankin

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6d ago

Monmouth Fourth of July air shows began in 19th century

MONMOUTH, Ill. — For more than 60 years, Monmouth has celebrated the Fourth of July with a popular fly-in breakfast, but Independence Day…

Monmouth Fourth of July air shows began in 19th century

Jeff Rankin

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Jun 22

Train conversation led to naming of village of Kirkwood, Illinois

The village today known as Kirkwood, Ill., was platted by the Warren County surveyor in September 1854, just prior to the completion of the…

Train conversation led to naming of village of Kirkwood, Illinois

Jeff Rankin

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Jun 11

Playwright’s father had fateful meeting with Monmouth lawyer

MONMOUTH, Ill. — The career of one of America’s greatest playwrights might have taken a completely different path had his father listened…

Playwright’s father had fateful meeting with Monmouth lawyer

Jeff Rankin

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May 1

Republican physician welcomed Lincoln to Monmouth in 1858

MONMOUTH, Ill. — When Abraham Lincoln spoke at Henry’s lumberyard in Monmouth during the 1858 senatorial campaign, he was publicly…

Republican physician welcomed Lincoln to Monmouth in 1858

Jeff Rankin

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Apr 27

Tom Thumb fascinated Monmouth audiences in 1853

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Before the completion of the railroad in 1855, opportunities for entertainment in Monmouth were scarce. There was no opera…

Tom Thumb fascinated Monmouth audiences in 1853

Jeff Rankin

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Mar 3

Bicentennial Bell visited Monmouth in 1975

MONMOUTH, Ill. — On March 2, 2026, a Boeing 737–7BC aircraft, christened The Freedom Plane, left Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport…

Bicentennial Bell visited Monmouth in 1975

Jeff Rankin

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Feb 24

‘Hello Girls’ kept phone service humming in the Maple City

MONMOUTH, Ill. — In this age of instant communication anywhere in the world by cell phone, it’s difficult for even us old-timers to…

‘Hello Girls’ kept phone service humming in the Maple City

Jeff Rankin

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Feb 8

Sprouts were pioneers in Monmouth-area agriculture

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Farm life was hard 140 years ago, so it’s not surprising that many farmers chose to move into town after retirement. Such…

Sprouts were pioneers in Monmouth-area agriculture

Jeff Rankin

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Jan 29

Monmouth professor helped launch local stoneware industry

MONMOUTH, Ill — In recent decades, Monmouth College professors have partnered with outside parties on agricultural research, with projects…

Monmouth professor helped launch local stoneware industry

Jeff Rankin

·

Oct 22, 2025

Chicken feeder production preceded boat manufacturing in Monmouth

MONMOUTH, Ill. — I have previously written about how important raising chickens once was for farm families, as their eggs provided a…

Chicken feeder production preceded boat manufacturing in Monmouth

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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