Michelle Smith

Plainfield (Images of America) Michelle Smith

Plainfield is Will Countys oldest community. The area along the DuPage River was originally home to the Potawatomi Indians. By 1830, a small settlement called Walkers Grove was developed along the DuPage River south of where the village is located today. During the Black Hawk War, these settlers constructed and took refuge at Fort Beggs, named after Rev. Stephen Beggs. In 1834, the village of Plainfield was platted by Chester Ingersoll. This book spans the early settlement, the Civil War years, and the commercial development of the 19th century well into the 20th century and includes a chapter on the 1990 tornado. Tim and Michelle will share the many images taken from early glass negatives in addition to a collection of rare documents and paper items from early Plainfield. These images lend the opportunity to reflect upon Plainfields rich history.