The History of Dix
The Village of Rome was an early community of Jefferson County, having been laid out by Arba Andrews on March 14, 1849 and the survey of the village was made by L.F. Casey. In the original town, there were four blocks with each one having five lots.
The village was apparently named after Rome, New York, the previous home of Arba Andrews. Rome, New York is located in the northeastern part of the state and today has a population of approximately 45,000 people. Our Rome township is located in the northern portion of Jefferson County, IL. Originally there was a post office established at the home Arba Andrews in 1830 and was designated as Jordan Prairie Post Office. This post office was moved to Rome when the village was established. It was later discovered that there was another post office in Illinois with the same name so another name had to be selected. It is said that a Dr. Jones named the post office after General John Adams Dix, a Major General of the Union Army in the Civil war. (General Dix was also a public servant as he served in such political positions as a United States Senator from the state of New York 1845-1849 & later served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad 1863-1868. Fort Dix, New Jersey also bears his name.) The other Rome, Illinois is located in the northern part of the state approximately 10 miles north of Peoria with a population of about 3,000 people.
The voters of Rome Township voted to form a consolidated school from several one room schools & the new school was built and opened in 1951. The new school was named Rome Community Consolidated School. In 1961 the District annexed the Pleasant Grove School, a small school to the south of approximately 80 students. This now extended the District's southern boundary to near the northern boundary of the city of Mt. Vernon. Rome School has become known for its academic & athletic programs. This grade school district is located within three high school districts (Centralia, Mt. Vernon & Woodlawn High School Districts). The village itself had a Dix High School until the early 1940's.
NOTE: There are historical pictures available for viewing in a commemorative display case in the Village Hall.
* Sources: Wall's History of Jefferson County, Illinois & Jefferson County Historical Society Papers
The village was apparently named after Rome, New York, the previous home of Arba Andrews. Rome, New York is located in the northeastern part of the state and today has a population of approximately 45,000 people. Our Rome township is located in the northern portion of Jefferson County, IL. Originally there was a post office established at the home Arba Andrews in 1830 and was designated as Jordan Prairie Post Office. This post office was moved to Rome when the village was established. It was later discovered that there was another post office in Illinois with the same name so another name had to be selected. It is said that a Dr. Jones named the post office after General John Adams Dix, a Major General of the Union Army in the Civil war. (General Dix was also a public servant as he served in such political positions as a United States Senator from the state of New York 1845-1849 & later served as President of the Union Pacific Railroad 1863-1868. Fort Dix, New Jersey also bears his name.) The other Rome, Illinois is located in the northern part of the state approximately 10 miles north of Peoria with a population of about 3,000 people.
The voters of Rome Township voted to form a consolidated school from several one room schools & the new school was built and opened in 1951. The new school was named Rome Community Consolidated School. In 1961 the District annexed the Pleasant Grove School, a small school to the south of approximately 80 students. This now extended the District's southern boundary to near the northern boundary of the city of Mt. Vernon. Rome School has become known for its academic & athletic programs. This grade school district is located within three high school districts (Centralia, Mt. Vernon & Woodlawn High School Districts). The village itself had a Dix High School until the early 1940's.
NOTE: There are historical pictures available for viewing in a commemorative display case in the Village Hall.
* Sources: Wall's History of Jefferson County, Illinois & Jefferson County Historical Society Papers