Sets aside the third full week in September each year as Illinois Prairie Week to demonstrate the value of preserving and reestablishing native Illinois prairies. The Prairie State , a name which it has had since at least as early as , before which it was a term applied to all the plain states.
Garden of the West is an old nickname came about because of the rolling prairies of Illinois and the miles of cultivated fields that made Illinois one of the leading producers of corn and later, soy beans, in the United States. A similar term, " The Garden State " was sometimes heard. Corn State is an appropriate nickname for a state where corn plays such an important role in the agricultural economy. The regio of the country referred to as the Corn Belt is centered in Iowa and Illinois.
The sucker fish once gave Illinois the nickname , The Sucker State and also, incidentally, gave us the slang word "sucker", for someone who is easy prey. In that same year, the U. Congress passed a special act granting to the State of Illinois a copyright for exclusive use of the "Land of Lincoln" insignia.
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, is recognized for his noble vision, statesmanship, humanity, and political skill.
Such watering holes were called "suckers" in local parlance. Another explanation derives from the fact that the central and southern portions of Illinois were originally settled by pioneers from Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, all tobacco-growing states.
The sprouts around the main stem of a tobacco plant are commonly referred to as "suckers. Most settlers of the area were poor and in fact had moved to Illinois in hopes of a better life.
Society at that time, as throughout most of our nation's history, tended to look down on poor migrants as a burden. It was expected that these particular settlers would fail in their new venture and perish, much as the tobacco sprouts were cast off as undesirable. They were therefore derisively called "suckers," and the term came to refer to the entire region of Southern Illinois, which at the time held most of the state's population. Probably the most popular explanation of how Illinois came to be known as the Sucker State involves the state's first lead mine, which was opened in near Galena.
As word of the mine spread, thousands of men descended on Galena in search of work. Most of the job-seekers, from Missouri and southern Illinois, would come to Galena in the spring and work through the fall, then return home.
Because the Illinois workers traveled up and down the Mississippi on steamboats to get to and leave Galena, their migration pattern became a matter of note. Specifically, Missourians jeeringly referred to them as "suckers" in recognition of the fish by that name that migrates upstream each spring.
With 6, to 7, men coming to the Galena mine each year by , the mass influx and exodus generated considerable strains and rivalries. In retaliation for the derisive term "suckers," Illinoisans started calling Missourians "pukes," a reference to the way in which Missouri had vomited forth to Galena the worst ruffians of her population.
Over Illinois' nearly year history, the state's residents have been called other names, but being called suckers presents a certain image problem that not even today's best public-relations expert could handle. Illinois Times has provided readers with independent journalism for more than 40 years, from news and politics to arts and culture.
Click here to subscribe, or simply show your support for Illinois Times. Illinois State Museum. Established in , this northern Illinois nature preserve is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to Illinois being the Prairie State as this was the first national tallgrass prairie ever designated in the United States. Guests can enjoy 33 miles of trails that span 9, acres, showing you what this great state is supposed to look like. Locals have been enjoying this trail since , the main portion of which spans 17 miles and follows an old train line.
It is most popular for its bridges and views of grass fields and other landscapes. Good Free Photos. Many know this popular state park for its Lake Michigan beaches, lakefront resort, and camping opportunities, but it is also a fabulous place to witness some of the state's most pristine prairie land.
This 4,acre park is home to more than species of plants including wildflowers, cattails, prickly pears, and much more. This area of about 6, acres is mostly known for its natural water features, but surrounding all those bodies of water are grasslands that give this state its unique nickname. Dedicated as a state park in , this is a wonderful spot for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Established in , this acre preserve is all about tallgrass and meadows. It is a beautiful place to watch birds as well as enjoy a diverse ecosystem.
The site of an old Native American village, this acre area is full of prairie land and forestry that is lovely anytime of year.
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