Shirley, Illinois – Railroad Switch
Nestled in the southwestern corner of McLean County, Illinois, lies the quaint and historic village of Shirley. A testament to the pioneering spirit and the transformative power of the railroad, Shirley stands as a living snapshot of 19th-century America. Positioned along the iconic Route 66, this unincorporated community offers a glimpse into a bygone era, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and discover the enduring legacy of its founding families.
A Foundation Forged in Agriculture and Rails
The story of Shirley begins in 1854, a time when the American landscape was rapidly changing. The promise of fertile land and the burgeoning railroad industry drew settlers westward, transforming vast stretches of wilderness into thriving communities. Shirley emerged as a farm and railroad settlement, a place where agriculture and transportation converged to shape the region’s destiny. While the initial seeds of the town were sown in this era, it would take several years for an "official" town to take root and flourish.
The Funk Brothers: Pioneering Cattlemen and Visionary Leaders
The earliest pioneers to leave their mark on the area were the brothers Isaac and Absalom Funk. Arriving in 1824, they recognized the immense potential of the land and established a sprawling cattle ranch that would eventually encompass 25,000 acres. Their enterprise, known as Funk’s Grove, was located just four miles south of present-day Shirley. The Funk brothers’ impact extended far beyond agriculture. Isaac Funk, in particular, played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s transportation infrastructure.
Partnering with his attorney and friend, the legendary Abraham Lincoln, Isaac Funk spearheaded the effort to bring the Chicago & Alton Railroad through the area. This was no small feat, as the railroad’s original route was planned to pass through Peoria. However, through their combined influence and persuasive arguments, Funk and Lincoln successfully diverted the railroad, forever altering the trajectory of Shirley and its surrounding communities.
Prairie Home: A Testament to Innovation and Legacy
LaFayette Funk, son of Isaac Funk, was a prominent figure in his own right. As a cattleman, co-founder and boss of the Chicago Union Stock Yards, and Illinois State Senator, he possessed a keen understanding of both agriculture and commerce. In 1863, he built a magnificent home for his wife in Shirley, a residence that would become known as Prairie Home.
Prairie Home was a marvel of its time, boasting state-of-the-art amenities that were considered revolutionary for the era. The home featured hot and cold running water, a luxury that was uncommon in most households. Over the years, the home was continuously updated with the latest innovations, including the first-ever electric kitchen island and a lighted tennis court.
Today, Prairie Home stands as a meticulously preserved testament to the Funk family’s legacy. The mansion is open for tours, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its 13 rooms filled with original furnishings, memorabilia, and antiques collected by generations of the Funk family. A visit to Prairie Home is like stepping back in time, providing a captivating glimpse into the lives of a prominent family and the evolution of American society.
John M. Foster and the Birth of a Townsite
While the Funk family played a crucial role in the region’s development, another early pioneer, John M. Foster, contributed significantly to the establishment of Shirley itself. Foster, who hailed from New Hampshire, arrived in the area and, along with other settlers, built homes near the switch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
In 1866, Foster took the initiative to lay out a townsite, a formal plan that would transform the scattered settlement into a cohesive community. The original townsite consisted of just ten small blocks, with Foster’s home, a store, and the railroad station situated on the south side of the railroad tracks. A warehouse and mill were located on the north side, providing essential services for the growing population.
As the town grew, a hotel was built to accommodate travelers, and a Methodist and Christian Church was established to serve the spiritual needs of the community. By 1895, Shirley had grown to include approximately 20 homes, a testament to the town’s resilience and the enduring appeal of small-town life.
Shirley Today: A Glimpse into the Past
Today, Shirley remains an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 375 people. Despite its small size, Shirley offers a wealth of historical attractions and cultural experiences.
One of the most popular destinations is the Funk Prairie Home, located at 10875 Prairie Home Lane. In addition to the mansion itself, visitors can explore the Funk Gem and Mineral Museum, which houses an extensive collection of rare gems, minerals, fossils, petrified wood, and lapidary art.
The museum is the result of a lifetime of collecting by Lafayette Funk II, the grandson of the Senator who built the mansion. Over the course of his life, Lafayette Funk II amassed an extraordinary collection, which the museum proudly bills as the most extensive one-man mineral collection in the world. The museum also features Native American artifacts collected from the Funk farmstead, exhibits that interpret the history of the Funk Brothers Seed Company, and other items collected by the Funk Family.
As you leave Shirley and travel southward along Route 66, you’ll soon arrive at Funk’s Grove, the original home of the Funk brothers and the source of delicious Maple Sirup.
Shirley, Illinois, is more than just a dot on the map. It’s a living testament to the pioneering spirit, the transformative power of the railroad, and the enduring legacy of the families who shaped its destiny. A visit to Shirley is an opportunity to step back in time, explore the rich history of the American Midwest, and discover the charm of a small town that has retained its unique character for generations.