1822

The area’s earliest settlers found themselves geographically marginalized, which made it difficult to vote.

With so few people living in the area, the Illinois legislature was in no hurry to establish a closer voting precinct. In addition, the work to survey the entire state of Illinois had yet to be completed.

Versus

When settlers first arrived in this area in 1822, the nearest voting precinct was 116 miles south in Vandalia. Dirt roads and travel by horse made the 232-mile round trip to Vandalia nearly impossible — a reality they found unacceptable.

Who had the power?

McLean County was part of Sangamon and Fayette counties in 1822. As more settlers arrived and Blooming Grove was established, residents advocated for a closer county seat and voting precinct.

In 1825 the state legislature reduced Sangamon and Fayette counties in size to reflect the growing population. Some residents could now go to Mackinaw to vote, but most still had to travel to Vandalia.

Calhoun, Illinois was the Sangamon County (highlighted in pink) seat in 1821, a journey of about 70 miles. Vandalia, located 116 miles from Bloomington, was the capital of Illinois and Fayette County’s (highlighted in beige) sole voting precinct in 1822.

Tazewell County (highlighted in pink on the map) voters traveled 29 miles to Mackinaw to vote. Fayette County (highlighted in beige on the map) voters still had to travel 116 miles to Vandalia.

Bloomington, the McLean County Seat

When the Illinois legislature drew new boundaries for what would become McLean County in 1830, James Allin of Blooming Grove offered 20 acres of his own land for the new county seat. This, he hoped, would ensure that the county’s new center of government would be close to where he lived.

On December 25, 1830 an act by the Seventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois provided for the organization of McLean County. The new county seat, on the land which Allin donated, was named Bloomington.

Black and white portrait of an older man, with a hardened face. — James Allin

Black and white sketch of small cabin with two windows, a door in between them, and smoke coming out of the chimney. — Until McLean County’s first courthouse was built in 1832, all voting and court hearings were held in James Allin’s Bloomington store.

Reflection Questions

Who could vote in McLean County prior to the establishment of a local county seat?

What words below best describe what early settlers faced living so far from the nearest voting precinct?

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