Probably named for the coal nearby, Mineral was established in the early 1850’s when the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad first came through (the first railroad to extend to the Mississippi River, completed on February 22, 1954). By the way, retro (not original) GAR signs are now found in every state on Route 6, most of them erected after 1990. (October 2001 photo)

This March 1997 photo shows the old towpath along the Hennepin Canal, which is now an Illinois State Parkway for most of its length. The canal, which connects the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, was originally conceived in the early nineteenth century. Construction having started in 1890, its 104-mile length was completed in 1907. However, it was outmoded by the time it was finished, as the Rock Island Railroad had been completed over the same route fifth-three years earlier. Nonetheless the canal carried some traffic until 1951.

Adjacent to the old Colony Motel on the west side of Princeton is this reminder of a lively motel business in the past along Route 6. (October 2001 photo)

Bureau County, Illinois
	Probably named for the coal nearby, Mineral was established in the early 1850’s when the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad first came through (the first railroad to extend to the Mississippi River, completed on February 22, 1954). By the way, retro (not original) GAR signs are now found in every state on Route 6, most of them erected after 1990. (October 2001 photo)
This March 1997 photo shows the old towpath along the Hennepin Canal, which is now an Illinois State Parkway for most of its length. The canal, which connects the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, was originally conceived in the early nineteenth century. Construction having started in 1890, its 104-mile length was completed in 1907. However, it was outmoded by the time it was finished, as the Rock Island Railroad had been completed over the same route fifth-three years earlier. Nonetheless the canal carried some traffic until 1951.
	Adjacent to the old Colony Motel on the west side of Princeton is this reminder of a lively motel business in the past along Route 6. (October 2001 photo)