Seneca Historical Guild

10/12/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, 104 years ago this week... 1922.

The I & M Canal Bridge on Seneca's Main Street collapsed into the water below under the weight of four wagons whose drivers disregarded the signs that declared only one wagon at a time on the bridge.

At the time, the bridge was the only means across the canal in Seneca, which caused major distributions. Schools and churches (both the high school and Catholic Church were under construction) were on the south side. Emergency services, banks, the coal supply, most grain elevators, and lumberyards were on the north side of the canal. A temporary bridge was quickly built. A gas line that fed the south and east sides of Seneca and all of Morris was located under the bridge.

Two "soft drink parlor" entrepreneurs in Seneca were arrested for possessing and selling alcohol... a common occurrence in Seneca during this Prohibition time.

10/05/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, this week 118 years ago... 1908.

A fire caused extensive damage to the roof of St. Patrick's Catholic Grade School while school was in session, No children were hurt, but two Seneca firemen sustained injuries. The school was built in 1896 and remained open until 1967.

Archie Marshall, a local grocer was very ill with Typhoid Fever. Thankfully, he survived and remained in the grocery business in Seneca for decades.

Illinois Governor, Charles Dennan, made stops in Seneca and Stavanger as he traveled in LaSalle County in an automobile. There were only eight cars owned by Senecans at the time.

09/28/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, 110 years ago this week... 1916

Clark's Auto Garage was burglarized. Six tires were taken: total value = about $75.00

Snook's Auto Garage was also thought to have been broken into, but the items were later found.

The garages in these pictures were built after this incident... in 1917 and 1920, respectively

1.5 miles of the road leading south out of town from the river bridge were paved with bricks as car travel become more prevalent.

09/21/2026

Happening this week 85 years ago in Seneca, Illinois .... 1941.

A tragic accident at the DuPont explosive plant, south of Seneca, claimed the life of Ed Farmer from Marseilles. In an unrelated incident, Francis Irwin, a Seneca Dupont employee was not at work that day but was rather at another explosive plant in Grafton, Illinois. He was killed in an explosion at that plant.

The Dupont blast was felt throughout the area and even broke windows in Seneca. John Brookman, probably felt the blast by the river bridge on his vegetable truck farm as he was harvesting cabbages.

09/11/2026

Homecoming 2026 - 50th Anniversary of the 1st Seneca Fighting Irish win!

09/07/2026

Happening this week in Seneca History 50 years ago this week... 1976.

After five winless seasons, the Seneca Fighting Irish broke into the win column by defeating Ohio (Illinois), 7-0, in the opening game of the season. Gary Mavity scored the only touchdown (2 others were called back because of penalties) and Kim Jackson kicked the extra point. Although they came close, they would not win another game that year, but did have the only tie in SHS football history 19-19 vs. Wilmington in the homecoming game. Just fifteen years later, Seneca would win a state championship.

The 1976 team will be honored during Seneca's Homecoming and the Seneca Heritage Days this upcoming weekend. They will be in the parade on Friday afternoon and recognized during halftime of the football game.

This year's homecoming coincides with Seneca Heritage Days and Fall Fest. Join us as we relive the origins of Seneca Fighting Irish Football.

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, 75 years ago this week... (1951).

Milton Pope School opened its doors for the first time to 93 students and four teachers. Located 8 miles north of Seneca, the Miller Township School District 210 was formed by the consolidation of 13 smaller districts, including some in Manlius and Mission Townships. The consolidation was made possible by a bequeath made by a former Miller Township farmer and Ottawa banker: Milton Pope. Go Pilots!

08/24/2026

Happening in Seneca, Illinois, this week 93 years ago... (1933)

The new Seneca Bridge was opened for vehicular traffic. The first to cross in a car were Seneca Postmaster, D. B. Comegys, Seneca hardware dealer, Elmer Ellis, and Seneca butcher, John Heaton. The bridge replaced the 1876 bridge. Most bridges on the upper Illinois River were replaced during this time in order to accommodate the vessels traveling on the newly opened Illinois Waterway System.

08/22/2026

Assistance needed from any and all SHS graduates! The Seneca Historical Guild is working with Seneca High School in order to highlight any and all past SHS students and their accomplishments on the Irish Portal website (also known as the TouchWall at the school.). Please take a couple of minutes and relive your glory days and tell us about your high school experience and accomplishments.

After editing, biographies will be added here

https://senecahs.touchpros.com/Start

Thank you for helping us in our effort to preserve Seneca’s history!

This form is intended to collect information from former Seneca High School students that they want to have included on the Seneca High School "Irish History Portal."