Notes on Towns of Illinois in 1834
Compiled from
A Gazateer of Illinois" by J.M. Peck
: R. Goudy, 1834

MONK HILL

Monk Hill is situated on the American bottom, in the borders of Madison county, eight miles north easterly from St. Louis.

The circumference, at the base, is about six hundred yards, and its height about ninety feet. On the south side, about half way down, is a broad step, or apron, about fifteen feet wide.

This hill, or mount, was the residence, for several years, of the monks of the order of La Trappe, the most rigid and austere of all the monkish orders.

Their monastery was originally situated in the province of Perche, in France, in one of the most lonely spots that could be chosen. They fled from the commotions of that kingdom to America, lived for a time in Kentucky, and came to Illinois in 1806 or '07, and settled on this mound.

They cultivated a garden, repaired watches, and traded with the people, but were generally filthy in their habits, and extremely severe in their penances and discipline. In 1813, they sold off their personal property, and left the country, for France.

ILLINOIS TOWN

Illinois Town, a small village of a dozen families, in St. Clair county, on Cahokia creek, opposite St. Louis. Here is an extensive establishment for killing and packing beef and pork by Messrs. Cole & Sons.

In the fall of 1833 they paid the farmers about $17,000 for beef and pork,--chiefly for the former.