Specials

Curiosity In The Corn

Welcome to Curiosity in the Corn (being an examination of the unexplored oddities, neglected anomalies, and little-known history of our region), a podcast series hosted by Connie Kuntz and Clint Cargile.

Curiosity In The Corn Episode 2: How Corny Was My Valley (The Welsh Among Us)

Northern Public Radio | By Clint Cargile

Published August 29, 2019 at 5:38 AM CDT

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June Thomas (l) is descended from Welsh immigrants. Sue Beck (r) is president of the Big Rock Historical Society.

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Big Rock creek, which gave the village of Big Rock its name

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A Big Rock Plowing Match exhibit inside the Big Rock Historical Society Museum

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Inside the Big Rock Welsh Cemetery, a plaque marks the site of the First Welsh Congregational Church

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Books on Welsh family history in the Big Rock Historical Society's archives

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A grave marker in the Big Rock Welsh Cemetery with a Welsh inscription

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A grave marker in the Big Rock Welsh Cemetery with a Welsh inscription

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Military uniforms on display inside the Big Rock Historical Society Museum, which was converted from a corn crib

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A school room exhibit inside the Big Rock Historical Society Museum

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The Big Rock Welsh Cemetery. The marker on the left has a Welsh inscription.

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The Big Rock Welsh Cemetery, where several early Welsh immigrants are buried

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A barn outside Big Rock, Illinois

By the mid-1800s, white immigrants had spread across northern Illinois -- Irish, Scottish, German, Swedish -- and in community after community, their contributions are well documented. But there is another group that came here that we know little about: the Welsh.

Join hosts Clint Cargile and Connie Kuntz as they explore northern Illinois’ forgotten Welsh heritage. Travel with them to the village of Big Rock, which was settled by Welsh colonists from the "land of the leek."

Curiosity Seekers! If you have questions about the history, people, places, objects, or events unique to your area, and you’d like us to investigate, visit WNIJ.org and fill out our handy submission form, or email us at corn@niu.edu.

Show Notes

Big Rock Historical Society

Big Rock Plowing Match

Village of Big Rock

The Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878)

https://youtu.be/L2Y_-Qog0Fo" target="_blank">Interview with Tom Jones (1987)

Theme Song

Dan Whitaker & the Shinebenders (performed live on WNIJ’s own Sessions from Studio A)