In 1824 Rev. Daniel Edwards and Mr. Hadley became
the first European settlers in the Barry area. The rich fertile soil,
abundant forests, and running streams attracted many other immigrants to
this land of “milk and honey.” After the U.S. Army and state militias
Americans defeated Black Hawk in 1832 the land in northern and
northwestern Illinois was opened up to American settlers. During the
early and mid 1830s speculative fever had seized the nation in all
aspects of the economy, but especially to western land. A large number
of towns were platted by speculators between 1835 and 1837 in Illinois.
In 1836 two towns were laid out by rival firms in the Barry vicinity.
Agents of the firm of Stone, Field & Marks of St. Louis laid out the
town of Worcester while another town was laid out about one mile east of
Worcester named Reedfield. Six weeks after Worcester was platted the
first residents, David Greene and his family, moved into town.
Most of the streets in Worcester were named after
naval officers of the War of 1812. Four special blocks were laid out and
named Church, College, Market, and Merchant Squares as part of a master
plan to take care of the needs of the town. The plan also included seven
parks of which only one, Lafayette Park remains today. Unlike many
towns, businesses in Worcester were not confined to the blocks facing
the public square, in this case the Lafayette Park. Only the west and
north sides are commercial while the other two sides have residences. In
1839, the town petitioned the state to establish a post office and found
out that there was already a Worcester, Illinois. A prominent citizen,
Mrs. Mary Brown, was given the honor of naming the new town and she
chose the name of her Vermont home, Barre. When the petition was
recorded an error was made and the name was misspelled Barry and has
been known by that title ever since. Barry was organized as a township
in April of 1850.
The late 1850s and early 1860s were turbulent times
for Barry. In 1858 the countryside was overrun with thieves who stole
horses and anything else they could lay their hands on. A vigilance
committee composed of leading citizens was organized and one man was
shot while stealing a horse and his cousin was caught and hung. These
acts aroused indignation and excitement, but they accomplished their
purpose and thieving abated in short order. During the Civil War the
countryside was invaded by “bushwhackers” from Missouri. After one man
was killed in 1864 the populace formed armed organizations and drove the
marauders from the county. Patriotism also ran high in Barry and the
community contributed its full quota of “soldier boys.”
Business activity during Barry’s early years was limited. The money in
circulation was principally Mexican dollars and currency was rare. The
farmers had little to sell and only purchased items that were absolutely
needed. It wasn’t until the Hannibal & Naples railway came to town that
in 1869 did farming become a profitable venture. The coming of the
railroad was a catalyst for Barry’s "golden" era of growth and
development. In 1894 and 1913 downtown Barry was affected by significant
fires and as a result most of the architecture of the business district
is from the late 19th and early 20th century. During the past few years,
many of these buildings have been restored to their turn of the century
elegance. One of the best times to visit Barry is in October when the
town hosts its annual Apple Festival and is part of the Pike County
Color Drive.
www.barryil.org
The official website of the town of Barry. This web site has
detailed information about the town, its history, the things to do, and
local events.
