Clark County

Discover Clark County, a community in Illinois affected by booms in oil and farming as well as housing award-winning writers.
The Wabash River, the National Road, and later the Vandalia Railroad and other rail lines brought settlers and prosperity to Clark County. Communities like Marshall, Martinsville, Casey, Westfield, Darwin, York, and West Union all flourished. The oil boom, which began in 1905, opened one of the most important industries in the county, and a local tank farm and pipeline both operate 100 years later. Farming has always been the main focus for Clark County, smaller grain mills having been replaced by large grain elevators, and the sale of farm equipment and supplies remains a vital business today. Yet Clark County is unique in having hosted a most unusual and successful writers' colony. Located on the west edge of Marshall, the colony produced numerous published authors, including James Jones of From Here to Eternity fame. In addition, several other Clark County citizens have authored books, and a Casey native was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for news writing.

Dwight Connelly, retired high school and college teacher, is a member of the Clark County Historical Society, the Illinois State Historical Society, and the James Jones Literary Society. He tells the fascinating story of Clark County with over 200 vintage images.