The Little Town with a Big Heart
- Lawrence Lore
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Sumner’s origins trace back to Benjamin Sumner, one of the first permanent settlers in Christy Township. He arrived in 1817, building a round‑log cabin and establishing the family presence that would later give the town its name.
The O & M railroad was built through Lawrence County in 1854-55 running through what would eventually become the town of Sumner. The first lots sold were on February 3, 1854. The town itself was incorporated in 1858- 59 but the state of Illinois did not recognize it until 1887.
Sumner grew after the arrival of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway with the development of a lively Main Street economy transforming the area into a growing trade point. Jacob May built the first merchandise store to serve Sumner patrons in 1855. The first hotel in Sumner, called the “Mansion House,” was built in 1855 or 58.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Sumner supported a mix of merchants, craftsmen, and educators. Local businesses such as A. L. Redman’s General Merchandise Store served as commercial anchors, reflecting the town’s role as a rural trading center.
The first school building in Sumner was built in 1858 as was the first Post office. The Presbyterians organized June 9, 1878, and built their church in Sumner in 1881. The Christian church was built 1861; the Sumner Methodist Episcopal church was built 1868 – 69; the Sumner Church of Christ was built 1873 – 75. One half acre was purchased in 1859 for the Sumner Cemetery.
Sumner continued to grow as a small but active community within Lawrence County. Its history is preserved today through local stories, family records, and the ongoing documentation efforts of Lawrence County Historical Society which highlight the town’s settlers, businesses, and everyday life across generations.
To hear more about the history and stories of Sumner, plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling.
