LocalLit book review: ‘Plainfield’ by Timothy and Michelle Smith

If you like local history and enjoy books you don’t have to read in one sitting, I recommend “Plainfield (Postcard History: Illinois)” by husband/wife author team Timothy and Michelle Smith.

First, I’ll share the book’s description on Amazon. And then I’ll share a few of the historical pieces of information woven among the postcards that illustrate ths book. In fact, the Smiths said in the introduction that they own about 200 of these postcards.

Here is its Amazon description: “Plainfield is the oldest community in Will County. The area was originally home to the Potawatomi Indians who lived along the DuPage River when the French fur trapper Vetel Vermette came to settle in the region.

“Jesse Walker, a Methodist minister, along with his son-in-law James Walker, came to the area and built a log cabin on the east side of the DuPage River in 1828. James built a permanent sawmill on the river by 1830 in a grove of trees known as Walker’s Grove, south of present-day Plainfield. The village of Plainfield was platted in 1834 by Chester Ingersoll.

“This book, through vintage postcard images, offers a unique view of Plainfield’s rich history, including scenes of its early business district, village streets, and the fabulous Electric Park, as well as early schools and churches.”

Now for some of the information I learned from this illustrated book of Plainfield history.

Lockport Street was often looked disheveled due to the ruts wagon wheels and horseless carriages made in the road. In the far left of one postcard, a horse’s head is poking out by the trees.

Jim Beggs purchased the Central Hotel in 1865 and operated it for several years. Thomas Thompson, the town jeweler, lived near the hotel and complained about the chickens from Beggs’ home. So Beggs told Thompson to shoot the chickens and throw them over the fencee. Beggs said he could use them at the hotel, presumably for the guests’ meals. Well, Thompson mistakenly shot someone else’s chickens. Whoops!

In 1862, Plainfield passed an ordinance to prohibit colts, horses and mules from “running at large.” The funds from the fines were distributed to the poor.

After ice was harvested from the DuPage river, it was hauled into Plainfield on horse-drawn sleds. One photo shows special skis on the sled. The horses had calks screwed into their shoes to give them more traction on the snow. The harvested ice was stored in a pit that was six feet underground.

A downtown view of Plainfield in 1914 shows trolley tracks.

One postcard shows the moving of Plainfield’s city hall building to a new location by a steam engine tractor. The hall itself is resting on logs and planks.

One reason why Plainfield had so many fires in the 19th century is because buildings were still lit by candles and oil lamps.

Interested in learning more? Than buy “Plainfield (Postcard History: Illinois)” on Amazon.

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