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Fiber in Illinois
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The history of raising sheep, fiber production and woolen manufacturing in Illinois is a classic tale of frontier business ingenuity and pioneer spirit. J.G. Stolp set out from Marcellus, New York in 1837 with his wool carding and cloth dressing machinery to establish a woolen mill in the west. He laid claim to a small island on the Fox River in Aurora, Illinois and began building his mill. Stolp’s goods were touted as having “real merit … equal to many of the fancy high priced imported productions.” While Stolp’s mill ceased operation in 1887, a small red brick building still stands on Stolp Island today as a reminder of Aurora’s early manufacturing history.
Many pioneer families provided fiber to Stolp’s mill as well as others built up and down the Fox River. Among the most notable was the Peck Family who operated a 1600 acre farm in Geneva, Illinois that supported more than 2,000 merino sheep. The farm operated successfully until 1920 when the first synthetic fiber, orlon, was introduced, sending shock waves through the fiber industry. Today, a slice of that rich history is preserved at Peck Farm Park, a 365 acre public park operated by the Geneva Park District and highlighted by the Peck’s 1869 Italianate brick house.
A fortuitous twist of fate brought thousands of sheep and tons of valuable fiber to tiny Kirkland and northwest Illinois. By law, sheep coming from the east could ride the rails for 36 hours before they were required to stop to be fed and watered. Kirkland just happened to be that distance from Omaha, Nebraska! As a result, sheep on their way east were deboarded in Kirkland to be watered, fed and sheared. Many long time residents remember stopping while the “sea of white” was moved from one pasture to the next.
From this rich tradition, the fiber industry in Illinois has grown to embrace enthusiasts from small farms with a handful of animals to large operations with many. In July, 2006, the Illinois Green Pastures Fiber Cooperative was formed to build awareness of Illinois produced fiber products and showcase this raw agriculture product to fiber artists, galleries, museums and crafters throughout the area. Members of the Fiber Co-Op are mindful custodians of Illinois’ rich history in raising sheep and shearing the wool. Links to the past can be found in the centuries-old family farms of the Getzelman, Gustafson, Ogle and Burnidge families while recent devotees have relocated from Chicago, Evanston, even the highlands of Southern Poland to share their passion for raising sheep and producing high quality fiber. |
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