Last Pearl Button Factory - Meredosia, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 49.836 W 090° 33.582
15S E 708828 N 4411805
Used river clam shells for "pearl" buttons.
Waymark Code: WMKAV8
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 03/11/2014
Views: 4
County of event: Morgan County
Location of marker: Main St. (IL-104) & N. Green St., James Boyd Park
Marker erected by: The Meredosia Area Historical and Genealogical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society
Marker text:
Legend has it that the name "Meredosia" comes from the French word for lake, "Mere" and the name of the first white man to live in the area, a French priest named Antoine D'Osia. Another legend is that the willows along the lake shore were called "Osiers" by the French or "Lake of Willows."
The Illinois River made the village an important commercial center. Early transportation was by means of canoe and keel boat. Steamboats began coming to Meredosia in 1826 and were an important factor in organizing the village in 1832. Access to the ports of the world made the Kappal Brothers Fur Company the midwest's second largest with over one-half million dollars in furs shipped to Russia and England annually. The Kappal Buildings are still in use in the downtown section.
The Skinner Bandstand located in Boyd Park memorializes Meredosia's most famous native son. Frank Skinner, famous as a composer, arranger, and director of musical scores for over 500 motion pictures. Played and directed at this bandstand regularly in his youth in the 1910's.
The first steam locomotive west of the Allegheny Mountains was built in Meredosia. The "Northern Cross", which became the Mighty Wabash Railroad, began on November 8, 1838 when an experimental steam locomotive, the "Rogers," took its initial journey.
"Shellers" worked the river daily supplying their catch to three local button factories. The Wilber E. Boyd Button Factory was the last independent "Pearl" Button factory in the U. S. ceasing operations in 1948.
Cutting and finishing the pearl buttons.