National Road Association Of Illinois

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Collinsville

http://ci.collinsville.il.us

In 1817, three Collins brothers, for whom the city got its name, came from the East and established residence. They were later joined by their father, mother, and sisters. The family first established a distillery store, ox-grist mill, sawmill, blacksmith, carpenter, and wagon shops. Originally the town was called Unionville, but after being advised that there was another in Illinois, a vote was taken and the name Collinsville was selected. Chartered in 1850 and incorporated in 1870, this Main Street Community has kept its late 19^th and early 20^th century style. A more industrial based community that other towns on the National Road, it was home to a number of coal mines, a zinc works, a lead work, a knitting mill and a cow bell factory. The bulk of these were gone by 1950 and Collinsville became a bedroom type community to St. Louis, Missouri and an access point for recreation and travel.

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