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Williamson County is steeped in hundreds of years of rich history in coal mining, therapeutic mineral springs, Native American culture, agriculture, and friendly people. The area got its nickname 'Little Egypt' due to its proximity to the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and the landscape's similarity to the areas along the Nile River in Egypt.

Our history is well-preserved in the museums and historical monuments and sites that can be found scattered throughout our friendly towns and communities. In addition, the Williamson County Historical Society offers tours of the Williamson County Historical Museum in Marion and the opportunity to study history in its research library.

Origin of the County

Marion, IL Public Square (1910)

Marion, IL - Public Square (1910)

Named after Williamson County in Tennessee through the influence of emigrants from that county. Williamson County, Tennessee, was named in honor of Hugh Williamson (1735–1819), a surgeon general of North Carolina troops in the American Revolutionary War, a North Carolina legislator, and member of the Continental Congress and United State Congress.

Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in:

  • 1699 French establish Cahokia
  • 1703 French establish Kaskaskia
  • 1763 France loses French and Indian War
  • 1765 British troops take control
  • 1765 – 1778 Britain rules Illinois
  • 1776 American colonies declare independence
  • 1778 Virginia troops capture Illinois
  • 1778 – 1784 Illinois Co., Virginia
  • 1787 Northwest Territory forms
  • 1790 – 1795 Split between Knox and St. Clair Counties
  • 1795 – 1801 Split between Knox and Randolph Counties
  • 1801 Indiana Territory organizes
  • 1801 – 1809 Randolph Co., Indiana Territory
  • 1809 Illinois Territory organizes
  • 1809 – 1812 Randolph County, Illinois Territory
  • 1812 – 1816 Split between Randolph, Johnson, and Gallatin Counties
  • 1816 – 1818 Split between Jackson and Gallatin Counties
  • 1818 Illinois becomes a state
  • 1818 – 1839 Franklin
  • 1816 – 1818 Jackson
  • 1812 – 1818 Gallatin
  • 1812 – 1816 Johnson
  • 1795 – 1816 Randolph
  • 1790 – 1801 Knox, Northwest Territory

County History

MArion, IL Courthouse (1920s)

County Seat
1839 – Marion

History of County Governing Board

  • 1839 – 1849 County Commissioners’ Court
  • 1849 – 1873 County Court
  • 1873 – 1907 Board of County Commissioners
  • 1907 – 1933 County Board of Supervisors
  • 1933 – Present Board of County Commissioners

Documented Record Losses
May 30, 1875 Fire Some records lost or damaged.

Township Government
Adopted: November 5, 1907
Discontinued: November 1, 1932

Township Names (Late 19th Century Precinct Names):
Row 8 South: Western, Greenville, Herrin, Lake Creek, and Northern
Row 9 South: Eight Mile, Cartersville, Bainbridge, Marion, Denison, Crab Orchard, and Rock Creek
Row 10 South: Grassy, Southern, Union, Creal Springs, and Saline

Townships

Township Names (1907 – 1932):
Blairsville
Carterville
Corinth
Crab Orchard
Creal Springs
East Marion
Grassy
Herrin
Lake Creek
Southern
Stonefort Name changed from Saline on January 4, 1908.
West Marion

Building Commission

  • Building Comm.January 8, 1965 By Resolution of the County Board; Voted to establish building comm.
  • January 12, 1965 Published Resolution
  • March 22, 1965 Resolution filed
  • November 20, 1968 Resolution to enter into lease agree with P13C on a 2-1 split vote: 1(R)-1(D)-1(DNO)
  • 1984 Bonds expanse by lease
  • February 1992 Rufunded for ADA and improvements

Williamson County Map & Townships

Williamson County Courthouse

Williamson County Courthouse
200 W. Jefferson
Marion, IL 62959

Established:
February 28, 1839 (Laws, 1839, p. 110)

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