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History of the Arbor District p. 9  

For Carbondale , the period between 1900 and 1950 is predominately a period of stability and steady growth.  By 1900 the town’s population was 3,300; by 1950 over 10,900 people lived in Carbondale , an increase of approximately 1,500 persons per decade.[1]  The city responded to this steady increase by improving services.  Carbondale constructed its first hospital in 1912, and first city hall in 1914. The older wooden schools were replaced with brick building.   Change was slower in the Arbor District.  Most residential growth was restricted to the northwest section of town before World War I.  After the War, development began on the southeast. Many of the comfortable frame and stucco homes in the Arbor District were built during this period.

The Illinois Central and SINU lessened the effects of the Great Depression.  Both continued to employ area residents and create business within the community.  During World War II, the railroad increase staff to accommodate increased passenger and freight traffic in support of the war effort. 

The early history of Carbondale is dominated by the importance of the Illinois Central Railroad.  The town was planned to capitalize on rail travel and shipping.  The town center focused on the train depot, and shipyards.  The railroad continued to play a dominant role in the economy until the late 1940s.  The 1950s witnessed a dramatic change for the City of Carbondale .  The expansion of the U.S. Highway system meant a decline in passenger service for the railroad.  The decreased production of coal also meant a decline in shipping from southern Illinois .  As the Illinois Central Railroad lost dominance as the center of Carbondale , the Southern Illinois Normal University grew on the southwest corner of the town.

[1] Carbondale , Illinois , The New Metro:  Business – Industrial Information File.  (Carbondale:  Business and Industrial Association, 1968); Mitchell, 32.
Background

In 2005-06, History undergraduate Christina Bearden-White worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Jane Adams. Part of her work involved researching the history of the Arbor District. She wrote the account told here, along with the photographs. Jane Adams created the web pages from her work.

Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Brush bio | 1869 map | 1898 map | Photographs

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