Phelps Barn History

The Phelps' barn predates the American Civil War. It was a stop on the underground railroad. The "Liberty Line" moved escaping slaves from Quincy to Princeton where it joined other routes. Slaves went on to Chicago and into Canada. The Phelps' family were Congregationalists, the Congregationalist Church was a strong proponent of abolition.	William J. and Olivia B. Johnson Phelps, first settlers, moved to the location of Phelps barn in 1834. Their first child William E. Phelps was born in 1835. With a grove of elm trees nearby, the residence they constructed came to be known as Elmwood. In 1847 Mr. Phelps became postmaster of Elmwood Post Office run from his home.
	Phelps' barn with its hand-hewn beams and and peg construction. Son, James Lee Phelps founded Elmwood Coal Co. in 1866. Another son was named Augustus S. J. Phelps.
The Peoria-Oquawka railroad completed in 1857 came through land owned by the Phelps family. The rail bed is about a mile north of the Phelps Barn site and became the center of growth for the City of Elmwood. As the town began to grow the post office then a 12 X 14 building at the Phelps' farm was moved to present day Elmwood. Elmwood currently has 2000 residents and remains the quintessential American small town.	Oquawka IL Oquawka is located on the Mississippi River north of Burlington Iowa. Oquawka once known as Yellow Banks was an early settlement and destination of pioneer era travelers. (A Phelps coincidence for Elmwood and Oquawka) In 1827, Dr. Isaac Galland erected a log cabin and began trading with the Indians at the site now known as Oquawka. In 1828 Stephen Phelps of Lewistown, IL purchased the claim for his son, S.S., who made his home there. Oquawka was laid out by Alexis Phelps and his brother, Stephen Sumner Phelps on July 9, 1836."Oquawka" was derived from an Indian word Oquawkiek meaning "Yellow Banks". Henderson County
Beams and Joints
	The first bank in Elmwood, Phelps and Tracy was organized by William J. Phelps and Harlan P. Tracy in 1864. Phelps sold out to H. P. Tracy who changed the name to H.P. Tracy and Company In 1886, H.P. Tracy and Company went into receivership with W. A. Clinch, William H. Lott and Thomas Clinch, assignees. This is the beginnings of Farmers State Bank. Click for short history. Farmers State Bank History
Basement Stalls South Face The shape of a cross is hollowed into the East gable (in shadows in this photo). When lighted with a lantern it signified a safe place for fugitives.