Museums are open by appointment.
Books and Items for Sale
Historical Society Books
Books available for sale at Casteel's and East School. Prices listed are suggested minimum donations since we are a nonprofit organization. Contact us at pikecountyilhistoricalsociety@gmail.com to make shipping arrangements. Tables of contents available upon request.
History of Illinois and Pike County
$60.00
Chapman, 1880
966 pages, plus index
The first and most extensive county history book. Also includes early Illinois history. Recounts dozens of stories from the first 60 years of Pike County.
Past and Present of Pike County, Illinois
$60.00
Massie, 1906
751 pages, including index
Extensive county history organized by subject. Contains biographical sketches of some prominent county citizens.
Pike County History
$60.00
Thompson, 1935-1939
534 pages, plus index
A compilation (edited by Grace Matteson in 1967) of Thompson's county history newspaper articles. Contains lots of genealogical information and tales of the next generation after Chapman.
Pike County Illinois History and Families
$45.00
Pike County Historical Society, 2014
256 pages, plus index
County residents were asked to submit their family histories which were then compiled alphabetically into this book.
Pike County Schools 1823-1995
$60.00
Residents of Pike County, 1995
Reprinted in 2022
413 pages, plus index
An exhaustive compilation of photos and information of all the small schools in Pike County.
A True Picture of Emigration
$20.00
Rebecca Burlend, 1848
Reprinted in 2022
157 pages plus index
An account of a family settling in the frontier in Detroit Township, arriving in 1831. This is a detailed story of the trials and ultimate success of these settlers.
Finding Home in New Philadelphia and Pike County, Illinois
$20.00
Carol McCartney, 2022
142 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on New Philadelphia, most of which were written in the 2000s.
Stories Of The Past of Pike County, Illinois
$30.00
Carol McCartney, 2022
135 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on Pike County history.
Our Pike County, The Soul of Western Illinois
$20.00
Carol McCartney, 2004
172 pages
A self-published compilation of the author's newspaper articles on Pike County history.
"Free Frank" McWorter and The "Ghost Town" of New Philadelphia
$10.00
Grace Matteson, 1964
72 pages
2023 Reprint, Spiral Bound
The first publication on New Philadelphia. Contains information that the author received from the family including primary sources. Also contains an addition of a resident's memories of the town.
Free Frank: A Black Pioneer on the Antebellum Frontier
$20.00
Juliet E. K. Walker, 1983
233 pages
A biography of Free Frank McWorter written by a fifth generation descendant. The first scholarly publication on the topic. Written as a graduate student under John Hope Franklin.
New Philadelphia
$20.00
Gerald A. McWorter and Kate Williams-McWorter, 2018
211 pages
The most recent book written on New Philadelphia by a fifth generation descendant of the founding family.
New Philadelphia: An Archaeology of Race in the Heartland
$20.00
Paul Shackel, 2011
207 pages
An analysis of the archaeological findings at New Philadelphia written by one of the leaders of the digs.
Your Food, My Adventure: One Farmer's Journey to Feed the World
$20.00
Philip E. Bradshaw, 2019
189 pages
A memoir of a successful county farmer and activitst.
Robert Earl Hughes: The Largest Man to Ever Walk the Earth
$10.00
Scott Maruna
116 pages
A biography
The Nicolay Land Series
$10
Jess Thompson, 1937 - 1938
84 pages plus index
2024 Reprint Spiral Bound
Pike County Ballads
$5.00
John Hay, 1871
40 pages
The simple text of a series of poems that were based, to some extent, on Pike County and Warsaw in Hancock County.
Pike County Ballads
$10.00
John Hay, 1871
85 pages
The text of the poems along with additional information and essays. Artwork by N. C. Wyeth.
Lincoln’s Secretary’s Secretary: Helen Nicolay, Artist and Author
$25.00
Maguire and Maguire, 2017
170 pages
Autographed
A biography
A Yeerlie Look At Pike: A 19th Century Scrapbook
$15.00
Beard
100 pages
An illustrated (kid-friendly) history of Pike County.
A Yeerlie Look At Pike: A 20th Century Scrapbook
$15.00
Beard
100 pages
An illustrated (kid-friendly) history of Pike County.
Pike County Bicentennial
$20.00
Pike County Historical Society, 2022
171 pages
A compilation of the articles written for the county's Bicentennial. Provides a snapshot of county history and lots of pictures.
The Flag with 34 Stars: Company H.73rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry
$10.00
Nancy Ross Chapter of DAR, 2010
60 pages
The story of the Civil War flag on display at the All Wars Museu
Lincoln’s 1858 Visit to Pittsfield, Illinois
$5.00
Fisher, 1968
13 pages
Recounts Abraham Lincoln's visit to Pike County, detailing the sites he visited and the people he knew.
Pike County True Ghost Stories
$15.00
Pike County Historical Society
31 pages
A compilation of true stories and legends of ghost stories.
Combined Atlas
$40.00
Spiral bound reprint of 1872 and 1912 plat books in one edition.
*These do not have protective cover.
The 1872 plat book, in addition to maps of land ownership, contains county history and information on the county's early settlers and prominent citizens. A great primary source referenece.
History of Pike County: A Centennial Address
$4.00
William Grimshaw, 1876
35 pages
A speech recounting, in brief, the history of Pike County.
School Directory of Pike County
$2.00
1944-1945
19 pages
Abraham Lincoln Chronology
$5.00
Pratt, 1957
15 pages
The Great Triumvirate
$1.00
Findley and Winston, 1959
24 pages