(This story was written by reporter Geoff Norfleet)
This year marks the beginning of the War of 1812, and Western Illinois Museum curator Sue Scott says although there were no major battles in what was then known as the Illinois Territory, the area does have its connections to the War.
For example, Western Illinois was known as the Military Tract. Millions of acres of land had been set aside to be given to the veterans of the War of 1812. Each vet was eligible to receive 160 acres.
