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A
bit of history...
Deer Creek was founded in 1830. Major R. N. Cullom
christened it and named the township Deer Creek. Major Cullom later became the
township’s first supervisor.
Deer Creek received its name from the creek that ran through the northwest part
of the township and from the herd of red deer that roamed the woods and came to
the creek for water.
In the late 1830s, Abraham Chaffer started the first business in Deer Creek at
Chaffer’s Corner. Mr. Chaffer’s store was located in the center of Deer Creek
Township and was used as the post office, the office of Dr. W. A. Cory, as well
as his own business of selling drugs, dry goods and groceries.
In 1835 the first school was opened in the home of Edward O. Durham and was
taught by Nancy Parker. In 1881 the first town hall was built.
Deer Creek’s location has moved three times since the 1830s-from Chaffer’s
Corner to New Castle, from New Castle to Belmont and from Belmont to the present
site of Village of Deer Creek.
More on Deer Creek’s history can be found in VOL. II HISTORY OF DEER CREEK which
is available at the Deer Creek District Library, Morton and Washington, Illinois
libraries and at the Tazewell County Genealogy Society Library in Pekin,
Illinois.
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Bridging Past, Present & Future"
