 Established in September 1843, Murphysboro is the second county seat of Jackson County. Its birth is tied to the disastrous fire that destroyed the courthouse in first county seat, Brownsville. The fire proved to be the catalyst to move the county seat to a more central location. The name was decided for the new town when William C. Murphy’s name was drawn from a hat containing the names of the three commissioners who chose the new location, a 20-acre tract of land donated by Dr. John and Elizabeth Logan.
The son of the site's donors, Major General John A. Logan, later became what some historians consider to be the best of the volunteer generals of the Civil War. General Logan is also remembered for a distinguished political career, serving as Illinois’ US Senator, as well as for running for Vice President in 1884. At the time of his death he was considered a presidential hopeful. Logan’s greatest legacy, however, is his creation of Memorial Day as a national holiday. According to author Gary Ecelbarger, General Logan is the “most noteworthy nineteenth century American to escape notice in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.” If you would like to learn more, Murphysboro’s General John A. Logan Museum interprets the life of this important American.
Murphysboro remained a sleepy little community until just after the Civil War as its only purpose lay in serving as the county seat and providing a commercial center for the county’s inhabitants. It was at this point that Murphysboro boomed as coal-mining operations brought jobs and population growth. In 1867, Murphysboro obtained a city charter. The city continued to grow as the coal mines drew railroads and other industries to the vibrant town. By its 50th birthday in 1893, Murphysboro proclaimed itself "the Chicago of Southern Illinois." Between 1880 and 1900 the city’s population grew by 294% eventually surpassing the 10,000 mark by 1920. By then Murphysboro boasted four railroad lines; the division headquarters of the Mobile & Ohio railroad with over 1,000 workers; coal mines; two flower mills; the Egyptian Paving Brick Company, which provided bricks for the Panama Canal; a foundry; a shoe factory with 500 employees; one of the earliest park districts in Illinois; electric street cars; and electric lights. According to the city’s active commercial association, Murphysboro offered everything needed “to make life pleasant in the modern city.”
The town’s long run of growth came to an end at 2:30pm on March 18, 1925 as the great Tri-State Tornado ripped through the proud town. The Chicago American carried a headline that said it all: “In the Blinking of an Eye Murphysboro was No More.” “The Storm,” as the old-timers called it, killed 243 people, to this day the greatest loss of life suffered by any community in a tornado. It also destroyed over 1,200 homes. The Great Depression followed in its wake. Despite Murphysboro’s herculean efforts to rebuild, the loss of manufacturing and industrial jobs brought about by these devastating events dealt a serious blow to the town.
As the 21st century dawns, Murphysboro is redefining itself and once again surpassing the 10,000 mark. Its City Government works hand in hand with its Chamber to make the community business friendly. Its main street is lined with trees. Smysor Plaza with its elegant fountain will soon be joined with an even more elegant park to grace the city. A Historic Preservation Commission is working to identify the city’s historic homes and encourage their restoration. Murphysboro’s Main Street organization refurbished and operates the city’s 1913 Liberty movie theater and continues to work to restore downtown store fronts. In addition the city boasts of a well-run park system, excellent schools, and modern library. It is even home is the home to the nationally known 17th Street Bar and Grill, three-time winner of the Memphis in May Barbeque Competition. It can truly be said of Murphysboro that it still has, just as it did nearly a century ago, everything “to make life pleasant” for citizens and visitors to this beautiful little city. |
