In 1835, European settlers in Drew County founded a small community, dubbing it Independence. After the Mexican-American War a decade later, they changed the name to “Rough ‘n Ready” in honor of Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1849, the local courthouse moved to the valley below, the site of what is now Monticello.
Nevertheless, the Rough ‘n Ready name lived on, if only because it was the site of a Civil War skirmish that took place on May 24, 1865-five full weeks after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Gen. Ulysses Grant on April 19, 1865.
Took the kids had a blast check out the gallery for pictures.
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| 2007-05-12 |