October 9 & 10, 2017 Monday & Tuesday
The Illinois River has long been an important resource for food, water, and transportation for both native Indians and the new European arrivals. The first European troop to pass through the Havana area was Father Marquette, Louis Jolliet, and company. In 1827 Havana was surveyed for its first European settlers. Ossian Ross established a canoe ferry for those wanting to cross the Illinois to reach Spoon River and a settlement called Ross’ Ferry was formed. Locals noted that a nearby island at the south of Spoon River resembled the island of Cuba and was referred the island as Cuba Island. Incorporated in 1848, Ross’ Ferry took the name of Havana.
In August 1858, both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas spoke at Rockwell Park while running for the US Senate. In later years, it was discovered that the raised mound of Rockwell Park was actually an Indian burial site.
In the years that followed many famous and infamous people visited Havana and its riverfront. During the 19th Century summertime, Chautauquas were popular throughout the country. Chautauquas were large gatherings in designated areas for people to enjoy camping, fellowship, pleasure boating, swimming, and hearing traveling speakers on current events of the day, guest speakers included Booker T. Washington, Thomas Edison, and the Reverend Billy Sunday.
Rumor in the town was that Al Capone, the Chicago gangster, developed underground gambling and entertainment centers in Havana and on riverboats throughout Mason County. On Halloween, sixty-four years ago, 52 state troopers raided the casinos and taverns, closing Al Capone’s operations in Mason County and the little town of Havana, once known as Little Reno, became a small town with lots of interesting history.
