This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Calamus town origins traced from 1850s Calamus Creek post
The Calamus area near Syracuse began as a landhold region held off market until mid 19th century due to peat bogs. A post office named Calamus was established 1858 by deputy Joseph D. Fegan near Calamus Creek, inspired by calamus roots. Town plats emerged 1860 and 1865, with early leaders like R S Dickenson and Mito D. Smith. The railway operated a ferry before a bridge, and Calamus grew with multiple elevators, stores, and churches.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Calamus
Joseph D. Fegan
Calamus Creek
Syracuse
Fegan
Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railway
Wapsi
T. F. Butterfield
DeWitt
Clinton County
Davenport
A. B. Huntington