Sandoval
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  Very little is known how Sandoval came about, but legends tell of trails crossing her and a trading post located in the
South Eastern section, was owned by a man named Sandoval.

The trail called the Vincennes-St Louis, ws originally an Indian Trail.  It was used by early settlers and wago trains heading West.
It became the stagecoach route into St. Louis.

Sandoval and Odin were originally one township. It had Thomas Deadmond as one of the first settlers in 1827. He was
followed by Silas Barr in 1829, Isaac Barr in 1836, Isaac McClelland in 1830, ad Alexander and Henry McClelland in 1840.

The first school was taught in 1834.

In 1850, President Millard Filmore signed a bill making the first grant of public lands to help construct the railroads.  In
1851 a law granted the Illinois Central Railroad all unsold sections along a proposed route to connect the Great Lakes
withe the Gulf of Mexico.  This would later create a very important junction for freight and passenger service.  With
the railroads came more people and of course, more businesses and the population increased rapidly.

On Dec. 22, 1854, the first post office was established with Mr Nettleton as the first postmaster.
It is presumed that the name Sandoval is of Mexica or Spanish origin and legend says it's the name of the man that owned
the trading post years before.
The town of Sandoval was incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois and approved on
February 18, 1859.

During the Civil War may troops passed through Sandoval, which was also a point for enlistment.  The 4oth Illinois Infantry
was accepted May 25, 1861 and went into camp here August 5.  With 700 strong, orders were given to proceed to
Illinois Town (East St. Louis), then across the river to Jefferson Barracks.  Joined with other troops they went on
to Savannah, Tennessee and a permanent camp at Pittsburg Landing.  More than 1/2 the regiment was killed or wounded.
This regiment, after other engagements, was with Shermon on his march to the Sea and took part in the Grand Review
at Washington D.C..  General Ambrose E. Burnside and his troops ere also camped here while on their way to aid
General Grant.

In 1896 the township was divided into 2 towns-- Sandoval and Odin.

In 1908, the village board granted the Odin Telephone Company a franchise to supply service for Sandoval.

When traices of oil were foundin the Glenridge Coal mine in 1908, a number of wells were drilled around Sandoval and only
a showing of it was found.  But in 1909, a good well was drilled on the Louis Stein Farm and many Oil Company Reps.
started to arrive here.      Top of Page