SHAWNEETOWN, IL (WSIL) -- Gallatin County's Historical Society joined local lawmakers and community members in a dedication ceremony Saturday in remembrance of the region's 1937 Tent City.
A monument and informational plaque unveiled on South Main St. in Old Shawneetown are now reminders of the Tent City set up to house flood victims. More than 80 tents became home to people displaced by the Ohio River.
The tent city memorialized was located 1.5 miles east of Junction on a 15-acre strip of the Finney Austin farm. A tent colony spearheaded by the American Red Cross was set up to house those who had lost their homes in the 1937 Ohio River flood. At least 85 very large tents to provide emergency housing were shipped from Marion to create the tent city. Flood victims from Junction, Shawneetown and rural Gallatin County residents all received shelter at the site.
Gallatin County Historical Society
The Monument is next to the John Marshall Home Bank Museum.
