The History of Mendon

History of Mendon, Illinois
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Early Settlement:
The story of Mendon begins in 1829, when Ebenezer Riddle, a Kentuckian, purchased land in Section Nine of Adams County. He built a cabin, establishing the first homestead in the area. Soon after, Colonel Martin Shuey and John C. Hardy arrived, followed by families like the Chittendens, Bentons, and Baldwins. Many came from Connecticut, bringing New England traditions of hard work and community spirit.
By the early 1830s, the open prairie had become a growing settlement.

Founding of the Village:
In 1833, the community was platted as the Town of Fairfield. But since Illinois already had a Fairfield, the name was changed to Mendon, likely in honor of Mendon, Massachusetts.
That same year, blacksmith E. A. Strong opened his forge. While working iron by day, he studied theology by night—eventually becoming a respected Episcopal minister. In 1834, Abram Benton was appointed the first postmaster and opened a general store that prospered for decades.

A Gathering Place:
Mendon quickly grew into more than a small settlement. During the 1840 presidential campaign, the village hosted a massive Whig barbecue for candidate William Henry Harrison. Hundreds traveled from miles around to enjoy roasted livestock and speeches from prominent leaders.
Education also took root early. The first village school opened in 1832 in J. B. Chittenden’s home. By 1876, a two-story brick schoolhouse stood proudly in town.

Faith and Fellowship:
Religion played a central role in Mendon’s growth.

• 1833: The Union Meeting House opened, welcoming all denominations.
• 1833: The Congregationalists organized the first church of their kind in Illinois.
• 1853: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded, with its building still standing today on South State Street.
• Other congregations soon followed, including Zion Episcopal, Methodist, and Catholic churches.

Alongside faith, fraternal organizations brought fellowship. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Eastern Star, and other lodges flourished in Mendon, reflecting the strong community bonds of the time.

Becoming a Village:
By the late 1860s, Mendon’s population and influence had grown. The community was officially incorporated in 1867.
The arrival of the Quincy and Warsaw Railroad in 1870 boosted commerce and transportation. Founder Colonel John B. Chittenden donated land for a public park. In 1876, sugar maples were planted there to celebrate the nation’s Centennial. Some of those trees still stand today in Chittenden Park, a centerpiece of the village.

Community Institutions

• Newspaper: Mendon’s first paper, the Mendon Enterprise, was published in 1877. It later became the Mendon Dispatch, and today continues as the Mendon Dispatch Times, published from nearby Camp Point.
• Banks: The Mendon State Bank was established in 1889 and served the community for generations.
• Landmarks: In 1914, Charles E. Lewis built the Lewis Round Barn, one of the largest in the nation. Its dome roof and unique architecture made it a local icon, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mendon Today:
Today, Mendon is a small but thriving village of just under 900 residents. It covers less than one square mile, yet remains a close-knit community with strong schools, quiet neighborhoods, and deep historic roots.
The Mendon Historical Society, founded in 1896, continues to preserve the village’s heritage through a local museum and archives. Unity Schools provide education for local children, while Chittenden Park and historic churches remain centers of community life.

A Small Town with a Big Story:
From pioneer cabins to a proud village, Mendon has stood for nearly two centuries as a testament to resilience, faith, and community spirit.
Mendon, Illinois—where history lives on.