Kiosk dedicated at western Illinois historic site
BARRY, Ill. - A western Illinois site that was the first town founded by a black American has a new informational kiosk, and a lawmaker hopes a national park designation soon follows.
The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that Rep. U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock attended Tuesday's dedication of the kiosk at the New Philadelphia Town Site near Barry in Pike County.
Shock-sponsored federal legislation calling for a study to find out the area's national significance has passed the House and is being considered by the Senate. Schock says he hopes that legislation passes this summer.
New Philadelphia was platted in 1836 by Free Frank McWorter.
The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is included on the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.