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| Hebo High School, 1917? |
The
irony of
Nebo, Illinois, is that while I lived there, I could not wait to leave
it. Now I think about those days, get a wallop of nostalgia, and wish I
knew
more about the place left behind.
It began as a true log cabin town, growing with each new settler with names of Shaw, Ross,
Franklin, and many more. With each new
family the settlement became a township.
When I
returned for visits over the years, the town had shrunk just a little bit more
and the people I knew had died. Their children left (just as I had), and then there
were empty vandalized houses, and people I don’t know.
Basically this
ghost town could never compare to its former self.
Here are
photos of back then :
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| Baptist Church, which still looks like this. |
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| Peck house on Pearl-Nebo road |
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| C.R. Rodgers' Trans Continental trip for to promote Vin Fizz soda |
The community flooded to the events like this. Life was personal at this time of Nebo's existence.
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| Painted by in-mate at nearby prison |
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| Nebo High School Gym--all that remains of the High School |
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| Country School Students |
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| Another Nebo, in Wales, 1984 |
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| Mt. Nebo, where Moses is buried |
My township of Boston is much the same. Derived name and fading past, and still dear to my heart. Who is attached to the Nebo, Wales sign; you or a daughter?
ReplyDeleteMy father's side came from the Nebo area. Mom's side came from Missouri, and her side was darn interesting. Dad's side had some people. Wales, came from Mom's side. Grandpa has some sort of claim to the Prince of Wales. mmmmm
DeleteYou don't realize "those were the days" until they are over.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. I really think about those days.
DeleteI grew up in a small country town, with no thoughts of ever leaving, but once I did, I never ever thought of going back. No nostalgic thought there for me. I have visited since, my sister lives there still, but I have no wish to return.
ReplyDeleteNostalgia meant that our parents were gone. One brother lives about 90 miles, a sister lives in Columbus, OH, and then there is me, 2800 miles. I miss them so.
DeleteThe longest I ever lived in one town was 4 years. I loved several of them but there is really no lasting connection.
ReplyDeleteWe moved to a few other homes, too. Some good, some not.
DeleteIt's sad to see these towns dying. I wasn't fond of my home town either, but when I go back, it's growing. (I consider Anaheim my home town. You might have heard of it.)
ReplyDeleteSweet, and LOVE the old photos..
ReplyDelete;-)