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James W. Loewen (1942-2021)

We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began.

McLeansboro

Illinois

Basic Information

Type of Place
Independent City or Town
Metro Area
Politics c. 1860?
Unions, Organized Labor?

Sundown Town Status

Sundown Town in the Past?
Surely
Was there an ordinance?
Don't Know
Sign?
Yes, Strong Oral Tradition
Year of Greatest Interest
Still Sundown?
Probably Not, Although Still Very Few Black People

Census Information

The available census data from 1860 to the present
Total White Black Asian Native Hispanic Other BHshld
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990 2677 2663 1
2000 2945 2889 23
2010
2020

Method of Exclusion

  • Reputation

Main Ethnic Group(s)

Group(s) Excluded

  • Black

Comments

There have been multiple witnesses who claim there was a sign outside the town saying,”Blacks Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Your Backs”. (The signs were probably from the 1950s)

Former Governor John Stelle tried to bring his black chauffer and housekeeper back to town to work for him, and his barn was burned. (Story from the late 1950s)

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