Bellefontaine House
Bellefontaine was one of the first American settlements in what is now Illinois. The earliest settlers included families of Revolutionary War veterans who had served with George Rogers Clark. During this period of time, the Monroe County Illinois area was a County of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 1778, James Moore was ordered, by George Rogers Clark, to lead expeditions to the Illinois Country, establish a military post and to serve as Captain of that company. By the fall of 1779, Captain James Moore had returned to Virginia to make plans for his final expedition west.
By the spring of 1782, James Moore and his family, along with a band of pioneers, Revolutionary War Soldiers and veterans and their families, had arrived at the site the French had called "La Bellefontaine". . .meaning The Beautiful Spring. This site is located on the south end of what is now known as Waterloo, Illinois.
Due to the lack of funds after the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry, the Governor of Virginia at the time, issued land grants to the soldiers who had served. This is when James Moore decided that this site was where his family was to settle.
The 1800 federal census showed that Bellefontaine, with 286 inhabitants, had become the third largest community in the Illinois territory.
Board Members:
Pat Vaseska, President
Kirk Brege, V. President
Carol Sondag, Secretary
Virginia Bersche, Treasurer
Curt Sondag
Tina Woodcock
In 1778, James Moore was ordered, by George Rogers Clark, to lead expeditions to the Illinois Country, establish a military post and to serve as Captain of that company. By the fall of 1779, Captain James Moore had returned to Virginia to make plans for his final expedition west.
By the spring of 1782, James Moore and his family, along with a band of pioneers, Revolutionary War Soldiers and veterans and their families, had arrived at the site the French had called "La Bellefontaine". . .meaning The Beautiful Spring. This site is located on the south end of what is now known as Waterloo, Illinois.
Due to the lack of funds after the Revolutionary War, Patrick Henry, the Governor of Virginia at the time, issued land grants to the soldiers who had served. This is when James Moore decided that this site was where his family was to settle.
The 1800 federal census showed that Bellefontaine, with 286 inhabitants, had become the third largest community in the Illinois territory.
Board Members:
Pat Vaseska, President
Kirk Brege, V. President
Carol Sondag, Secretary
Virginia Bersche, Treasurer
Curt Sondag
Tina Woodcock
