Christian County

[outlaw319]

Just wondering if anybody has any info on some good spots to check out here? I've been searching on the net with not to much luck. I know of a location of an old ghost town by me called Half Acre, used to be called "Hells Half Acre" known for outlaws and such that hung out there. The only info I found on it is no longer on the internet besides of another town called Hells Half Acre also. I remember that it was built in the mid 1800's by a guy that purchased a half acre of land(hence the name) and it was wiped out some time later when lightening hit 1 of the buildings, and since they were built so close together the whole town burnt down. If anyone has any info on this and would like to check it out sometime, I can obtain permission to access the land that its on,or if anyone else in the area wants a partner to go md'ing with sometime let me know.
Dave

 

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[outlaw319]

I guess I'm a loner in the central part

 

[illinoisdeerhunter]

Isn't Mowequa near chrisitian co?

I had a sister who lived there. I'm up in Woodford Co but may be interested making the drive once, during the summer.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Taken from ....http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilchrist/history/halfacre.htm

One of the noted places of Christian County bore the name of Half Acre, and
was on the bank of the Sangamom River on the public road which runs between
Taylorville and Bear Creek, in the northeastern part of Johnson Township.
Edward Bradley, and Irishman, bought a half acre of land, and on it founded
the town, which bore this peculiar name. Mr Bradley opened a grocery, and
according to the custom of the times, obtained a license to sell liquor. The
town obtained the location of a sawmill, owned by Bell and Christian, and
several log cabins grew up about the little settlement. Unfortunatley the
lawless element gained supremacy, and the place became known by the highly
objectionable title of "Hell's Half Acre." During a storm the nucleus of the
town, the saloon was struck by lightning, and burned, and with it gone, the
place declined, and now nothing remains to mark the spot.

Historical Encyclopedia of ILlinois Christian County IL Vol II p 768


FYI: I have personnaly walked and looked through the place for years when I
lived back there.

William Kerwin and Stephen Kerwin, and a couple of others, now own land next
the river and to that old town in Illinois. My family. It is beside the
South Fork Branch River under R 48; with another legend of the old bridge
there....

There has been articles about this place over the last 50 yrs, The Breeze-
Courier Newspaper, Taylorville, IL. It is also seen in many various books
about the area and in many sites online. GhostBusters even had a little note
about it . This is a very common and well known little story in the past 100
years, even could call it it folk legend.

We have watched people through the years go out with metal detectors and
search for old coins, guns, bullets, harness wear, etc. Some have been found
through the years.

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[outlaw319]

Isn't Mowequa near chrisitian co?

I had a sister who lived there. I'm up in Woodford Co but may be interested making the drive once, during the summer.

Yeah Mowequa is not that far from me, I know a few people from that town.
And thanks Gypsy!!! That was the article that I remember seeing, I noticed that you're always full of info on Illinois. The only problem I have now is that the land sold where that is located, but I know of the new owner...just gotta get permission again now.

 

[treasurefiend]

no sorry