The Early History of Grantfork
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
The village of Grantfork (just north of Highland), at the
intersection of Hwy. 160 and Pocahontas Road, lies partly in
Leef, and partly in Saline Townships. The town was first called
Fitz James, and was laid out in 1840 by Henry K. Lathey, James
Carpenter, George Fulls, Jonas R. Gale, Z. Lowe, and William F.
De Wolf, on the southwest quarter of section 33. John Duncan
opened a store there in 1840. His house stood on the north side
of the road that runs on the township line. He kept a public
house, and put up a large sign inscribed in prominent letters –
“Fitz James Hotel by John Duncan.” He lived there until his
death, after which the buildings burned.
Martin Ruch, in
the early history of the village, opened a store on the south
side. In 1840, Mr. Herrin opened a blacksmith shop in a little
log cabin, that stood just east of the Douglas store. John Link
was the second blacksmith.
In 1862, Stephen Bardill
opened a stone quarry and lime kiln west of Grantfork. He later
sank a shaft for a coal mine on the property, but it was
abandoned because of flooding.
Some years later, the
town was making little progress. R. D. Leggitt put up a second
store, which stood on the north side of the road. After two
years, he sold out to William Schum, who subsequently sold to
John Bardill and brothers. Mr. Bardill later purchased his
brother’s interest in the store, and conducted the business for
many years. He was instrumental in getting a post office
established called Saline. The postal department ordered the
name changed, and the citizens christened the town Grantfork.
In 1886, the water which flooded the Bardill mine was tested
and was revealed to contain minerals. The Diamond Mineral
Springs Hotel was erected, and the mineral springs developed
into a health and summer resort. Back in the days when travelers
visited the State capital in Vandalia, they would stop at the
hotel to enjoy mineral baths and a good night’s rest. The
property was sold to Anton Kraft in 1891, who further developed
it by enlarging the lake and converting the grounds to a park,
with fountains and flower-lined walks. He updated the system of
waterworks for the hotel, and added an amusement hall for
dancing and billiards. A dining hall was constructed for guests
in 1892, and expanded in 1937 when the hotel operation ceased
and the Krafts concentrated on the restaurant business. The
hotel was torn down in 1957, but the restaurant continued under
the name of the Diamond Mineral Springs Restaurant, which is
still open (2019) at 1 West Pocahontas Road, Highland.
The Catholics built a brick church in 1872. There was a
school connected with this church.
The Lutheran Church was
erected also in 1872, and was a brick structure.
The
Grantfork public school was a brick building, one story high,
with two room.
Businesses in Grantfork in 1882:
Physicians – A. R. Ransom and A. Sacconi
General Store and
Postmaster – Martin Ruch
Hotel – Anton Kraft
Drugstore –
A. Sacconi
Blacksmith Shops – Charles Schmitt, Nic Mollett,
and Theodore Schwartz
Wagon Shops – G. Winter, Nic Mollett
Harness Shop – E. Salzmann
Butcher – F. Landolt
Tinsmith
and Stoves – Joseph Miller
Undertaker – F. Oswald
Shoemaker – G. Zweifel
Daniel Ruedy was chosen as a
member of the Board of Supervisors in 1876. He was succeeded by
John Bardill in 1879. John Mulloy was elected in 1880.