Wood River: Along the River Bend

Since the mid-1700s, Native Americans, pioneers, farmers, and entrepreneurs have made their home in the fertile plains and valleys of the Mississippi River Bend. However, it wasn't until Standard Oil opened its first refinery in 1908 that the towns of Wood River, Roxana, South Roxana, and Hartford were established. Essentially communities of refinery workers and their families, the towns thrived for decades as an influx of refineries brought more work to the area. This collection of images hearkens back to a time when there were more taverns than churches in Wood River, company homes lined the streets of Roxana, and a shoe factory made its home in Hartford.

Roxann Read is a lifelong resident of the River Bend area and has studied its history for many years. In addition to volunteering at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, she writes the village newsletter for South Roxana, and in 2003, was elected village trustee.