The History of Farm Ridge Seminary
Farm Ridge (population approximately 50) is located in north central Illinois in the south
central portion of LaSalle County. Farm Ridge is about 10 miles due southeast of LaSalle and 8 miles due southwest of Ottawa.
The small hamlet is located on County Road 2050 about 4 miles west of Illinois Route 23 and Grand Ridge. County Roads E1251
and E13 will also lead you to Farm Ridge. A satellite image found on www.mapquest.com shows just a few homes scattered over a wide area are all that remain of this village.
The area that the village was established in was first settled in 1850. A church was
been established in the area in 1851. A store was built in 1855 which signaled the establishment of the village.
Soon after a doctor and a blacksmith took up residence in the village.
The Farm Ridge Seminary was built in 1850. It immediately gained success as anywhere
from 50 - 90 people were in attendance during the first few years. The article, written in 1886, states that the seminary
had to resort to being open in winter months only due to the creation of several high schools in the county. Students were
said to attend Farm Ridge Seminary from places as far away as Detroit, Michigan and St. Paul, Minnesota. As of the writing
of the 1886 article, the Farm Ridge Seminary was still in operation. It is our guess that the Seminary closed in the late
1800s or very early 1900s.
Farm Ridge Seminary Quick Facts
Year opened: 1850
Year closed: late
1800s / early 1900s
Students now attend: LaSalle or Ottawa Schools
Athletics likely not offered.
ACTIVITIES
The Farm Ridge Seminary was likely a boarding school. Music was offered as a course of
study as were math, english, and science. For this time period in Illinois history, Farm Ridge Seminary was considered well
advanced for education.
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any further information regarind the Farm Ridge Seminary please write to
us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can alos contact us via mail at the following address:
IHSGD Website
6439 N. Neva Ave.
Chicago, Il. 60631
