Heart
of the Prairie
Today Delavan is a prairie city of
2000 residents that is both strongly linked to beginning roots and embracing the changes of tomorrow. Our commercial downtown
district continues to undergo extensive renovation and preservation of its historic streetscape. Our rich history is becoming a useful part of the twenty-first century.
Early wealth in Delavan has blessed our community with some of the finest examples of architectural variety
in the Midwest. These range from ornate 19th century pressed tin work,
early Italianate Victorian details, turn of the century Tudor revival, prairie style, and art deco as well as many, many more.
Our History
In 1836, Jonas
R. Gale and Cornelius Delavan visited Illinois and chose a settlement site on a high prairie.
Upon their return to Providence, Rhode Island they formed the Delavan Land Association to promote the sale of land.
In the month of
May, William W. Crossman brought a crew of carpenters to the high prairie and began building the Colony Houses. Shortly thereafter the first citizens, a general store, gristmill, and post office were established.
The stagecoach
line from Peoria to Springfield was routed through Delavan in 1840 followed within ten years by a telegraph line. Grading for rail tracks connecting Chicago and St. Louis began in Delavan in 1857.
These early factors led to Delavan’s accelerated growth in municipal, commercial and light industrial
development.
