Category Archives: American History Connections

The linkages and influence of historical economic, political, and social events.

Mosquitos and summer heat created vivid 50s childhood memories

Macoupin Creek, in Woodville Township, Illinois, ends at the Illinois River near Hardin. The Illinois River ends, about 20 miles from Hardin, at the Mississippi River near Grafton, Illinois. The fishing cabin my uncle rented at the Illinois River levee … Continue reading

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There is a chicken in the pot and two buggies in the barn

Steel, steam, and agriculture paved the road to prosperity in the Gilded Age for late 19th century American families. Illinois farmers near St Louis connected to growing markets for crops and dairy products via the Eads Bridge, the developing railroads … Continue reading

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There are too many trees for a dairy farm

Hardwood forest covered much of an 1885 dairy farm The Eastern edge of Deck’s Prairie, in Madison County, Illinois, was not well suited to a dairy farm. The dairy farm was located about 2 miles from the small town of … Continue reading

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Radio afternoons with box tops and action heroes in 1950

Before TV, children’s fantasies played out on 50s radio afternoon programs. The themes mirrored the wild west films of the 30s and 40s. Advertising jingles promoted breakfast cereals via proof of purchase to order toys such as glow in the … Continue reading

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50s childhood memories forests creeks and ponds

Henry David Thoreau experienced his model of simple living in natural surroundings living in a small shack at Walden Pond. The location is about 2 miles from the town of Concord. Because of isolation from community activities, he was able … Continue reading

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1935 high school graduates Greatest Generation American Dreams

If you were alive in the 1950s and were old enough to remember it your parents were part of what journalist Tom Brokaw named the Greatest Generation. That generation survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and fought in the … Continue reading

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