Community: Being a Member of North Avenue Baptist Church
North Avenue Baptist Church became somewhat of a safe haven for Black people in DeKalb...
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This section includes a wide variety of primary source materials gathered from throughout the county. Examples include newspaper articles, maps, photographs, and oral histories. The newest posts are at the top of the page, with older stories below. Use the search option to look for specific information.
Fear: Ku Klux Klan, Sandwich, 1920s
Like many other communities throughout DeKalb County, Sandwich also had local Klan chapter. There are...
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Fear: Sycamore, local push back to Klan rhetoric
Despite the numerous articles about Klan activity throughout DeKalb County, there is evidence that people...
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Community: Samuel Crosswell, Buffalo Soldier
While not a lot of information is known about Samuel Crosswell, research shows that he...
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Community: North Avenue Neighborhood and Mildred Poole Stewart
Mildred Poole Stewart, who was born and grew up in Sycamore, graduated from Sycamore High...
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Exclusion: Overview
After the Civil War, many Black Americans sought new homes. Reconstruction (1865-1877) brought some protections...
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Community: Caldwell family, Shabbona
Above image: Shabbona Grove School, 1921. Photo courtesy Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Society. The Caldwell family story...
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Community: Overview
In their anthology, Four Hundred Souls, Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain write about...
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Hope: Securing a Bank Loan
There are two examples of the local bank, The National Bank & Trust Company, working...
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