Page "Gridley, Illinois" Paragraph 10

The early growth of Gridley was rapid.

On 28 February 1857 the first train arrived in Gridley.

A small depot building was erected on the north side of the tracks.

J. M.

Mitchell built the first store on the corner just north of the depot.

A small house and blacksmith shop was built south of the railroad.

Charles Cochrane George Washington Kent, the town ’ s co-founder moved to Gridley.

There was a brief setback in 1858 when a tornado swept through the down damaging Cochrane ’ s and Kent ’ s house and twisting the newly laid rails, but growth quickly resumed.

Kent built the first grain elevator.

History of McLean 1879, pp 558 – 560.

He then enlisted in the Union army serving first as sergeant and then lieutenant.

Upon his return he guided the town through additional growth ; among other things he dug up trees along the Mackinaw River and hauled them to town where they were planted in public square.

In 1884 Fred Donner established a tile factory.

It was first incorporated as a town under a special charter.

Gridley, Illinois: A sesquicentennial Celebration.

By 1900 the town had a population of 735.