Seneca Historical Guild

05/29/2026

The Seneca Lady Irish softball team has made history today as they have won their first ever Sectional Championship over defending state champions, Beecher. They will play in the Elite 8 (Supersectional) game on Monday vs. Brimfield.

They’ve come a long ways since one of the first games in the first season back in April of 1977.

05/29/2026

The Seneca Historical Guild will be holding a meeting on Monday, June 8th, at 3:00 PM at the Odd Fellows Hall (307 N. Main) in Seneca.

Anyone is welcome to attend. All you need is an interest in Seneca area history and the desire to help preserve it.

If you think this photo taken before 1911 by someone who left their child in a carriage in a buggy on a slope, looking down the north hill of Seneca with with billboard advertisements for Gerbert Bros. Hardware and Pfeffer Bros. Furniture with the old train station and grain elevator in the background is cool and intriguing, then you are the kind of person we will love to have as part of the Seneca Historical Guild!

05/27/2026

The SHG is saddened by the loss of one of our founding members, Sandy Timmons. Sandy was a driving force in the establishment of the guild, was an author for the 150th anniversary book, and was instrumental in the creation of the Seneca Area Heritage Museum. Sandy lived through over half of Seneca’s history. We are extremely grateful that she chose to help preserve that history.

Sandra Sue Timmons, age 89, a lifelong Seneca, Illinois resident, passed peacefully in her home, with family at her side, early Friday morning, May 22, 2026.

05/24/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, this week in history….for more than a century.

Seneca has honored the country’s fallen service members with Memorial Day (known previously as Decoration Day) activities since the late 1800s. Since its founding in 1919, the Seneca American Legion Post #457 has organized these events for the community. The Legion invites the public to this year’s service to be held Monday, May 25th, at 10:45 AM in the library parking lot.

05/17/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, 99 years ago… (1927)

Seneca High School graduated 17 young men and women, many of which remained and started families in the Seneca area.

The SHS track team had a successful spring season including this week when they participated in the prestigious Lostant Relays.

Terry Underhill won Seneca’s first ever gold medal in track winning the 100 yard dash.

Francis Einhaus placed 3rd in the 440 yard run.

Russell Hayne broke his own school record in the pole vault soaring 10’6”. Russell was also the team’s javelin thrower.

There was no girls track team at the time but it needs to be recognized for winning their 14th consecutive sectional championship this week.

05/11/2026

Happening in the Seneca, Illinois, area 101 years ago this week… 1925.

Oil fever was in full force in Manlius and Miller Townships north of Seneca as over 50 farm owners signed leases to be part of an oil field after oil was discovered coming from an artesian well on the Charles Blackwell farm in section 10 of Manlius Township. Many studies were conducted and an oil derrick was even erected on the Otis Chapman farm in section 33 of Miller Township as a test site. Within a couple years it was determined that such a venture would not be viable and the farmers would still rely on an agriculture as their way of life.

Michael O’Brien, who was contracted to raze the original Catholic Church, was selling the lumber, materials, and stained glass windows that he had recovered during demolition.

05/08/2026

The SHG had an enjoyable day with the Seneca Grade School 8th graders as we shared the history of Seneca, Illinois, with them. I great group that will someday make history themselves!

05/03/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, this week 110 years ago (1916)…

The Epworth League (A Methodist young adult association) of the Seneca Methodist Church held an “egg social.”

A Methodist congregation existed in Seneca in 1854 and the current church building was constructed in 1891.

The Methodist church has been very active in social, political, and religious education activities throughout the history of Seneca.

05/02/2026

TOMORROW is the day! Join us at the Lumberyard Farmers Market! 🕗 8 AM – NOON

🎉 Employee Reunion Photo: 10 AM

Come early, grab a coffee, shop local handmade goods, and enjoy a beautiful day in Seneca 💛

We can’t wait to see you there!

04/26/2026

Happening this week in Seneca, Illinois, 82 years ago (1944)…

Two LSTs (611 and 612) were launched into the Illinois River as they began their journey into the WWII fray.

Little Skipper School, (preschool and kindergarten) organized by Doris Graves on behalf of the US Government, opened at the Seneca War Homes.

The Seneca Future Farmers of America held their 8th Annual Father-Son banquet. Some of the FFA Officers were: Verle Johnson, Martin Myre, Roger Danielson, Lloyd Mays, and Claire Olson.