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Community of Towanda History
McLean County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

Peter Baldeau and Jesse Fell laid out the village of Towanda [Towanda Township] in 1854. Charles Roadnight, treasurer of the Alton, established his "estate" at Towanda and it flourished several years, but later fell into decay. ["Official souvenir program, McLean County Centennial, Aug. 27, 28, 30, 1930" by: McLean County Illinois Centennial Souvenir Program Committee, Harold Lang and Eugene Funk] Just northeast of Bloomington is located the tree-shaded village of Towanda, with a population of 400. It is one of the numerous towns laid out by Jesse W. Fell, founder of Normal and pioneer Illinois land developer. When Fell platted Towanda in 1854, he was associated with Charles W. Holder, who founded the village of Holder. Located on the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad and on US 66, Towanda today is the principal community of Towanda Township, which has a total population of 959. First to settle in the township was John Trimmer, who came with his family in 1826. [This is McLean County, Illinois by: John Drury, The Loree Co., Chicago, Illinois (1955)]

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