

An Orchard on the Prairie
By Anna Squire Fig 1: M. L. Dunlap at 19 Courtesy of the Champaign County Historical Archives In 1855, the same year that West Urbana (now Champaign), Illinois, was founded, a man living in Cook County named M.L. Dunlap purchased the northern half of section 36 in Champaign Township. The land was entirely prairie, and the new Illinois Central railroad ran diagonally through his new land. Over the coming years, M.L. would turn this land into one of Illinois’ most successful o
Anna Squire
4 days ago8 min read



























