What is the history of Effingham, Illinois?
Effingham is named for Effingham County, IllinoisEffingham County, which was named after Earl of EffinghamEdward Effingham, who resigned his commission as general in the British army in 1775, refusing to serve in the war against the Colonies. The name is Old English languageAnglo-Saxon for “Effa’s house”. Effingham is also historically important as a rail junction. The old Pennsylvania Railroad and the former Illinois Central Railroad crossed in downtown Effingham. Even today, Amtrak’s City of New Orleans passes through daily. (See the following paragraph) On April 5, 1949, St. Anthony’s hospital caught fire and burned to the ground, killing 70 people. As a result, fire codes nationwide were improved. Due to extensive media coverage, including a Life (magazine)LIFE magazine cover story, donations for rebuilding the hospital came from all 48 states and several foreign countries. Source: http://en