We, the present and former citizens of Brooklyn, Illinois, owe a sincere debt of gratitude to Dr. Sundiata
Keita Cha - Jua who painstakingly researched the history of our town and it's  early settlers to write a
book entitled "America's First Black Town".  It chronicles the period 1830 - 1915.

The purpose of this site is to honor those courageous souls who escaped the bondages of slavery and
created a safe haven for  those seeking to be free.

We are told that in the early 1820's, eleven families, led by  Priscilla Baltimore, navigated the
treacherous Mississippi River under the cover of darkness to claim their freedom.  Upon reaching the
free side of the Mississippi River, they planted their feet on the free soil of  Illinois.  These eleven
families were now free to become the architects of their own destinies. The land was cleared and
humble dwellings were constructed.

Our early founders included John and Priscilla Baltimore, John and Matilda Anderson, Philip and
Josephine Sullivan, James and Elizabeth Singleton, Daniel and Sarah Wilson, Russell Cox, Mrs. Wyatt,
and Nicholas Carper.

Brooklyn African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is presently known as Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church
was founded in the year 1825.  It is the first A.M.E. Church founded in Illinois.  It,  along with Antioch
Baptist Church  were the first stops on the Underground  Railroad for runaway slaves fleeing Missouri.  
Our elder, George McShan, narrates that tunnels used for the purpose of hiding runaway slaves still
exist underneath Quinn Chapel A.M.E Church.

On August 18, 1891, Mayor Evans named the new post office after Elijah Lovejoy, a white abolitionist who
was martyred in Alton,  Illinois. Our elders narrate that all mail was then addressed to the "Lovejoy Post
Office" which caused the original name "Brooklyn, Illinois" to nearly slip into obscurity.
We want the world to know of this name glitch because we are reclaiming the original name that our
founders bestowed upon her, Brooklyn, Illinois.


                                                                                              



                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                           
                                                                                               
                                                                                             
                                                                                             
                                                                                                     
                                                                                 


                                                            












Did You Know........

James Henry MaGee attended Brooklyn's school district in the 1840's.  He was one of the first  African
Americans
to teach in Illinois public schools.  He was ordained a Baptist minister by the Wood River Colored Baptist
Association in 1863.
In his autobiography,  "Night of Affliction and Morning of Recovery", he recounts his experience at the
Brooklyn school.

Mary Barnes was the first teacher hired by Brooklyn's school board.

John Evans who belonged to  the Masonic fraternal order, was Brooklyn's first Black mayor.  He was
mayor from 1886 to 1894.  

The Wiggins Ferry Company operated in Brooklyn Illinois.

On January 7, 1891, Mayor John Evans acquired land from the  Wiggins Ferry Company . The deed has a
stipulation that
the land was to be used for graveyard purposes only.  This document establishes the fact the Brooklyn
's Cemetery is over
100 years old and contains  free (not enslaved) African American.

In 1894, Brooklyn became the only Black town in the country to provide a separate school for the
education of the town's White children.  
Mr. Henry Hertel (remember this name) was appointed principal of the school.  This school was named
Sherman School.

Corinthian Church was organized in 1880.
(See cornerstone on church)

The Village of Brooklyn installed electric street lights on August 1891,

Mayor John Evans named the new post office that was built October 31, 1891, Lovejoy Post Office in
honor of Elijah P. Lovejoy.

The first school, known as "The Little Red School" was erected in 1878.

Annie Turnbo Malone founded the Paro College of Beauty Culture on the site of the North - East Corner
of Fourth and Madison Street.

The Cain & Hurley Lumber company made grain doors in Brooklyn, Illinois.

A nut factory was located on the South West Corner of Fourth and Jefferson Street.

In 1888, East St. Louis became a separate Township.  The remainder of the old township received the
name Brooklyn but, later the name was changed to Stites.

The first Cadillac in Brooklyn, Illinois was owned by Mr. Fern Ambrose.

The Anna B. Dorsey Club installed street signs in Brooklyn, Illinois.

Mother Mary Magdelena Tate (1871 - 1930) , who is recognized as the founder of the First Holiness
Movement in the United States
preached her first sermon in Brooklyn, Illinois.

Ruby Cook was Brooklyn's first female mayor and began the restoration of our historic cemetery during
her administration.

Wanda Hawkins was Brooklyn's first female police officer.
Our History and Heritage
Mayors Of Brooklyn, Illinois
John Evans
William Allison
Fred Vanderberg
Burton Washington
Charles B. Jones
Randall Cole
James Thomas
Edward Green
O.G. Walls
Robert Bolten
William Terry
George Thomas
Marcellus West
James Davis
Raymond Douglas
Ruby Cook
Dennis Miller
Nathaniel O'Bannon III
Mississippi River Boat