Uncle Tom's Cabin: Newspaper Article "Sugar Grove, Village of Culture"
Newspaper Article Transcription SUGAR GROVE, VILLAGE OF CULTURE The Sugar Grove area was first settled by three Isbell brothers (form Ohio) in 1834, who found an Indian encampment near the grove. A post office was established in 1840, a public library in 1843, and the first school opened in 1848. Stephen A. Paull is credited with founding the village in 1838. The name, Sugar Grove, was taken from the Indians who frequented the area, tapping the many sugar maples. A cheese factory was built in 1866. One of the village's most prominent citizens, Thomas Judd conceived the idea that the area needed a high school to include courses valuable to a farming community. In addition to the usual courses, agricultural chemistry, breeds of cattle and other related subjects would be taught. Frank hall, famous educator and at that time superintendent of West Aurora schools was persuaded to head the proposed school. 1876 saw the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial High School become a reality. Mr. Judd donated land for the institution. He also erected a large boarding house for out-of-town scholars (pictured above). This building also housed the depot for the Chicago & Iowa R.R. (now part of the C.B.&Q.), express and telegraph offices, a store and post office. Commonly called "Uncle Tom's Cabin," it burned down a few years later.
Printed on the photograph: UNCLE TOM's CABIN. SUGAR GROVE DEPOT, TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS OFFICE. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL BOARDING-HOUSE, STORE AND POST-OFFICE. [CULVER & JAMES, Photographers] Handwritten on the back: 1995-1b Built in 1876. Burned two years later. Railroad south of the hotel was the Chicago and Iowa R. R. built in 1870.
Printed on the photograph: UNCLE TOM's CABIN. SUGAR GROVE DEPOT, TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS OFFICE. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL BOARDING-HOUSE, STORE AND POST-OFFICE. [CULVER & JAMES, Photographers] Handwritten on the back: 9-1-95
Printed on the front: Sugar Grove, Village of Culture Handwritten on the back: 1-1987
Handwritten on the back: Uncle Tom's Cabin 1876-1879 9-15-92 The first "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was built in 1876 to board students of the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial School. The residential building was named in honor of Thomas Judd "Uncle Tom" for his generosity in founding the Sugar Grove Normal and Industrial School and donating the land. The building also functioned as a Train Depot and Restaurant. It was located at the northwest corner of Main St. and the Railroad tracks. It burned downed in 1879, only 3 years after it was built.
Printed on the photograph: UNCLE TOM's CABIN. SUGAR GROVE DEPOT, TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS OFFICE. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL BOARDING-HOUSE, STORE AND POST-OFFICE. Handwritten on the back: 9-1-95