Early settlement, mail routes, and the origins of community in northern Somonauk Township
Introduction
Along the banks of Somonauk Creek, in the early 1830s, a small but significant settlement took shape, one of the earliest known points of activity in what would become DeKalb County.
Though little remains today, the place later known as Franks played a foundational role in the development of the surrounding region.
A Landscape of Overlapping Names
The early settlement along Somonauk Creek was not known by a single name.
Historical accounts refer to the area as Somonauk Crossing, Somonauk Corners, and later Freeland Corners, before the name Franks came into use in the late 19th century.
These names do not describe separate places, but rather the same general settlement corridor along Chicago Road and the creek, reflecting how communities were identified and redefined over time.
The Road That Brought Settlement (1832)
In 1832, a road connecting Chicago with the lead mining region of Galena was established under the direction of Captain Joe Naper.
This route, known as the Chicago/Galena Road, became one of the earliest and most important lines of travel across northern Illinois.
Where this road crossed Somonauk Creek, a natural stopping point emerged, setting the stage for settlement.
Somonauk Crossing: Early Mail and Travel
By the mid 1830s, a log cabin stood on the north bank of Somonauk Creek at this crossing.
A post office was operating in the area, later formally recognized under the name Somonauk, serving travelers and settlers along the Chicago/Galena Road.
Operating from the cabin, the site functioned as:
- a mail station
- a stopping place for travelers
- a gathering point for early settlers
Reuben Root, one of the earliest settlers, acquired rights to the property and served as postmaster while operating the cabin as a place of rest and exchange.
Early Settlement Along the Creek
Following the establishment of Somonauk Crossing, additional settlers arrived.
In 1836, John Eastabrooks acquired approximately 600 acres in the area and constructed a log cabin near the creek. Around the same time, Lucius Friske settled nearby and taught a brief term of school during the winter of 1836–1837.
Members of the Friske family later died of illness and were buried on land that would become Oak Mound Cemetery, marking one of the earliest burial sites associated with the settlement.
In 1837, Peter Hummel arrived from Pennsylvania and settled in the vicinity, further contributing to the growing rural community.
These early settlers formed the nucleus of a small but active settlement centered along the creek and roadway.
From Crossing to Corners to Franks
The settlement along Somonauk Creek was known by more than one name over time, reflecting both its function and its gradual development.
The earliest documented name found to date, dating to 1834, was Somonauk Crossing, referring to the location along the Chicago/Galena Road where travelers crossed the creek.
In later years, the area was also referred to as Somonauk Corners, a name likely used informally to describe the rural crossroads. There is no clear record of when or why the name “Corners” came into use, and it may have been used alongside “Crossing” for a period of time.
By the mid 19th century, the same general area was also associated with Freeland, a nearby community that developed along Chicago Road.
While Freeland and Franks are often discussed separately, they represent overlapping phases of settlement within the same broader landscape.
By 1892, the establishment of a post office under the direction of local creamery owner Frank Richey gave the community a new and lasting name: Franks. This official designation gradually replaced earlier names in common use.
Community and Faith
By the early 1840s, the settlement had grown into a more established rural community.
In August 1842, the first recorded religious service in the area was held in the home of George Beveridge.
On March 18, 1846, the Associate Congregation of Somonauk was formally organized, marking the beginning of organized religious life along the creek.
These early gatherings would eventually lead to the establishment of the United Presbyterian Church near the site, linking the earliest settlement period with a lasting institutional presence.
The Franks Creamery
By the turn of the 20th century, Franks had developed into a modest but active agricultural center.
An 1905 report by the Illinois Food Commissioner documents the Franks Creamery, associated with local resident Frank Richey.
The creamery was described as:
- a one story frame building painted dark red
- equipped with a receiving room and churn room
- containing a separator, churn, and skim milk vats
The facility relied on:
- an ice cooled refrigeration system
- a drilled well approximately 80 feet deep
Inspectors noted that while the building and machinery were worn and somewhat antiquated, utensils were clean and workers made a clear effort to maintain sanitary conditions.
At least two men were employed at the creamery, handling daily operations.
Local recollection adds that the property included an ice house and a nearby residence for the operator, indicating a continuous working site serving surrounding farms.
It is also remembered that Frank Richey was blind or nearly so, suggesting that while he maintained ownership, daily operations were likely carried out by resident workers.
Decline and Disappearance
As transportation improved and rural free delivery expanded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, small settlement points like Franks gradually lost their importance.
With the decline of local post offices and the consolidation of services into larger towns, the identity of Franks faded.
What had once been:
- a stopping point
- a mail station
- a small community center
became part of the surrounding countryside.
Legacy
Though no longer recognized as a distinct place, Franks represents one of the earliest and most continuous threads of settlement in the region.
It was here, along Somonauk Creek, that:
- a cabin stood by the mid-1830s
- early mail service connected settlers to the outside world
- families established homes and farms
- and the foundations of community life took shape
From this crossing along the creek, the story of Freeland and Sandwich would continue to unfold.
Continue The Story
- Freeland, Illinois: The Community Before Sandwich
- Freeland Post Office and Early Mail Routes
- The Lost Cemetery at Freeland
- Early Churches of Freeland and Sandwich
Research & Sources
- Bud Burgin, local historian and researcher of Somonauk Township history (primary guidance and compiled research; used with respect)
- Handwritten historical notes and timelines documenting early settlement along Somonauk Creek
- Illinois Food Commissioner Annual Report (1905) – listing and inspection of the Franks creamery
- Regional histories of DeKalb County and early settlement patterns
- Early stagecoach and mail route histories related to the Chicago–Galena Road
- Blackwell History of Education Museum – Galena Highway Bus Tour materials (2000)