According to the "History of DeKalb County, Illinois," written by Henry L. Boies and published in 1868, Genoa's founding settler, Thomas Madison, built a spacious log cabin in 1836 on the site of what would soon become the liveliest town in DeKalb County.
But according to "The Biographical Record of DeKalb County, Illinois," published 30 years later, James H. Moore, "well known as the first white child in the township," was born Dec. 29, 1835, to Voranus Emory Moore and his wife, Sylvia (Madison) Moore, daughter of Thomas Madison, "who came out west in 1835 ... and took up a claim where the village of Genoa now stands."
Thus the debate over when, exactly, Genoa turns 175 years old. Is it in 2010 or 2011?
There's a touch of mystery to the city's history, but rather than allow a little historical uncertainty dampen, or even stop, any such celebration, city officials used the indefinite date of its founding as a means to extend the anniversary, moving forward with a purpose to celebrate.
It seems Madison didn't stay long in Genoa. Although he is generally acknowledged as the town's first postmaster, storekeeper, justice of the peace and tavern keeper, depending on what account you're reading, he soon after headed out for Texas where he died, which some might consider redundant. Nonetheless, he had staked a claim which set in motion a series of events that continued to build on one another so that by 1838, Boies writes that Genoa had become a "lively little village," probably livelier yet than Chicago, which was then nothing more than a few log cabins clustered around Fort Dearborn.
Boies tells us that on July 4, 1838, a great celebration was held at Genoa, "at which George H. Hill delivered an oration to an audience of over a thousand people." George H. Hill, of course, was proprietor of the original Hill's Tap.
That last part I just made up, but isn't speculation half the fun of history? Curt and Jim Hill have both served up plenty of oratory at the downtown Genoa tavern over the years, so it's fun to imagine George H. preceding them with his own 19th century orations.
Whether Madison settled here in 1835 or 1836 hardly mattered to those enjoying the sales, great music and lovely weather on Saturday, during an event that kicked off the 175th celebration, which will continue through next April. Those enjoying the day included the city's mayor, Todd Walker, and I asked him whether he sided with the 1835 or 1836 contingent.
"You know what, it doesn't matter," Walker said, "because we're not having a one-day event. We decided that since government runs on a fiscal year, we'll hedge our bets."
The important thing, he said, was that people get outside and get together and enjoy one another's company. A committee is planning a series of activities, including a couple of chautauqua events and a picnic in July in which people will bring their own meals and share desserts. Nothing fancy, and certainly nothing pricey.
"Money's tight for everyone," Walker said, "but that shouldn't preclude you from getting involved. Find time to do something, volunteer somehow, make a difference. This community was founded on blood, sweat and tears, and that hasn't changed."