Author Archives: Rick D. Williams

About Rick D. Williams

Teaching and writing have been my life's work for over three decades as a journalist and educator. My degrees in History were earned at Illinois State University, and I've done additional graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Urbana Theological Seminary. Over the years I’ve led conference workshops and authored articles and book chapters on topics ranging from religious education and international student ministry to state and local history.

Waubonsie Trail Part Two: Vermilion County

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

In this segment on the Waubonsie Trail in East Central Illinois, we attempt to trace the route the trail took west from Danville into Champaign County. As I wrote in Part One, early newspaper accounts reported the the trail’s original … Continue reading →

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The Waubonsie Trail in East Central Illinois (Part One: The Short-Lived “Short Way”)

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

The Waubonsie Trail, one of dozens of early named auto trails in Illinois, was marked from Denver, Colorado to Indianapolis, Indiana between 1911-1912. That makes it older than the more well-known Dixie Highway, Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Trail, and … Continue reading →

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The Egyptian Trail and Other Early Auto Trails in Champaign County (Part Five: Legacy)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

Mattoon dentist and auto enthusiast Iverson A. Lumpkin’s (above) plan for a Chicago to Cairo roadway continues to leave its mark the length of Illinois. From Kankakee to Effingham, travelers on what later became State Route 25 and ultimately U. … Continue reading →

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The Egyptian Trail in Champaign County (Part Four: Champaign to Douglas County)

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

In the last segment of this series we traced the route the Egyptian Trail took through Champaign County from the Ford County line south to Champaign, coming into town on Market Street. At this point the directions an early auto … Continue reading →

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The Egyptian Trail in Champaign County (Part Three: Ford County to Champaign)

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

Using details on maps and in newspaper accounts from the era, here’s what I believe to be the route the Egyptian Trail took through Champaign County, starting in the north at the Ford County line and traveling south. The route … Continue reading →

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The Egyptian Trail in Champaign County (Part Two: From Dirt Roads to Paved Highway)

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

By the summer of 1916 the year-old Egyptian Trail was no longer a novelty, it was a reality. Local papers now turned to reporting news of improvements being made to the roads along the trail. The Daily News (May 3) … Continue reading →

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The Egyptian Trail and Other Early Auto Trails in Champaign County (Part One: Inception & Development)

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Rick D. Williams

The Egyptian Trail was one of a handful of named auto trails in east-central Illinois created by “good roads” advocates in the middle teens of the early 20th century. It ran the length of Illinois from Chicago to Cairo, deriving … Continue reading →

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Historic Church Sites in Rural Champaign County

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Rick D. Williams

Between 2023-2025, I set out to find every one of the more than 100 church sites shown on rural township plats in the Combined 1893, 1913, and 1929 Atlases of Champaign County. My goal? To see what’s there now, learn … Continue reading →

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Champaign’s Historic Churches

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Rick D. Williams

What is the oldest church in Champaign? The answer to that question depends on what you are looking for. The earliest to organize? The first building to be constructed? The oldest building still standing? In an earlier post, “Six Historic … Continue reading →

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Looking for Lincoln in Champaign County

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Rick D. Williams

If you are a history-minded traveler in Illinois, you’ve probably seen markers topped with a distinctive yellow and green “Looking for Lincoln” logo throughout the state. The markers come in different shapes and sizes, but what they all do is … Continue reading →

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