Situated just north of Decatur, Illinois, on US Route 51, the Village of Forsyth dates back to 1855 when the Illinois Central Railroad laid tracks through Macon County. In 1864, Edward O. Smith platted the original town of 8 blocks, naming it Forsyth in honor of Colonel Robert Forsyth, a local landowner and the first general freight agent for the Illinois Central Railroad.
The Village has grown substantially since its early days. This page showcases the history of the community from its inception through current days – its people, businesses, organizations, and events.
Photos of the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Village of Forsyth's incorporation.
Hickory Point Mall Photographs
1971-1972 Forsyth Grade School, Mrs. Brandt's Class1971-1972 Forsyth Grade School kindergarten, Mrs. Brandt's class.
Front row: Billy McMillan, ? ? , Jerry Howland, Brian Emery, Brian Powell, Time…
1939-1940 Forsyth Grade School1939-1940 Forsyth Grade School students in classroom
1939 Hickory Point School picnicHickory Point School
Picnic
July 9, 1939
First row (left to right): David Pope, Otis Dean Vaughan, Don Perkins, Gerald Burgener, Mary Lou Pope,…
1936-1937 Hickory Point School students in front of schoolhouseHickory Point School
1936-1937
First row: Norma Jean Hockaday, Betty Ann Pope, Bob Coffman, Bobby Tilley, Jean Louise Wakefield, Wilma Brett,…
Flood School, 1941-1942Flood School, 1941-1942
Left to right: Richard Parlier, Mrs. Blanche Fisher (the only teacher most of the children had ever known), ? Malone,…
Flood School, 1902Flood School, 1902
Front row (left to right): Hal Hanks, Dorothy Hanks (Reed), Leslie Mathias, Ben Parlier, Esther Balazer (Blazer)
Second row:…
Flood School, 1935-1936Flood School, 1935-1936 school year.
Back row (left to right): Mrs. Blanche Fisher (teacher), Juanita March, Betty Lienhart, Leonard Albert, Robert…
Flood School, 1930Flood School, 1930
Front row (left to right): Carlos Kincaid, Elmer James, Elizabeth Braden, Betty Lienhart, Keith Brett, Imogene Blazer, Audrey…