West Marion Twp

Bainbridge (T9-2)

Towns and Places

sections 20, 21, 22 and 29 to 36 are all in the Wildlife Refuge

Section 1

Cedar Grove was first a RR station and in 1903 a flag stop. In 1949 the town moved to Dogwalk,  when the Methodist Church moved a mile east in West Marion Twp. Dogwalk was originally just a tavern on what is now Rt 37, when Cedar Grove moved there.  In the 1960's the name was changed back to Cedar grove. I-57 runs down the old Cedar Grove Road. 

Section 2

There was a place named Pollard at one time and an unknown cemetery is in this section.

Section 3

Crenshaw was first the home of Robert and Jane (Bell) Crenshaw from Equality. Robert's brother John was the owner of the "Old Slave House". Since the town was in the middle of the coal mines, miners began to move to the town. Watson mine was opened on the east side and more miners moved in. Lester mine was located about mile west of Crenshaw.  This was the location of the mine riots on 22 Jun 1922. Today there are a few houses and the old church has been converted to a house.  

Section 7

Eden Park is located on several maps but I don't know if there was ever a town there. What ever was there gave way to the Egyptian Drive-in which was open until 2000. 

Section 9

Section 10

unknown school in 1876

Section 11

Scottsboro was north of Marion on what is now N Carbon St, it was later incorporated into Marion. There was an unknown church here in 1876. 

Section 13

Vicksburg was on the east side of Marion, it was later incorporated into Marion

Section 14

Section 16

Bainbridge  was the first real village in the county. It was also the first county seat until 1839 when it was moved to Marion. There was a buffalo trail that came through as well as the trails from Ft Massac, Lusk's Ferry and the Shawneetown trail, all met here before going to Kaskaskia. In 1839 the Jonesboro Frankfort Post trail came into the village. Bainbridge Missionary Baptist Church was organized here. As Marion grew Bainbridge declined and today nothing remains but a few houses.

Section 17

Section 18

Gent City was on the RR line, probably a station. 

Section 19

Chamness school #45

Section 20

Section 21

unknown school in 1876

Section 26

Timmons was on the RR Line, probably a station. An unknown school in 1876

Section 29

unknown school in 1876

Section 30

Section 31

Section 35

Section 36

unknown church in 1876

Unknown Locations

Other cemeteries thought to be in the Twp: Cagle, Chenoweth, Crain/Pike/Vick (near the old golf course), the County Farm, Holeman (? near Moore Park), McIntire, Roberts, Sparks, Vernon and Wiggs

Township census

Other Twp Information