EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS: Bethany Celebration, Crowder Park
MAJOR HIGHWAY: Illinois 121
HISTORY: The land upon which Bethany is situated was entered by Robert Law, who built the first house, a small log cabin erected in 1834. Law was a farmer, and also built mill. In 1837, Law sold out to A.N. Ashmore; and he soon afterward sold out to the Rev. A.M. Wilson who built a large two-story log house. This was all the building done here until 1854, when Dr. J.D. Livesay, who was the first physician, erected a frame dwelling and storehouse and, in partnership with Thomas Sowell, opened a general stock of goods for sale. This was the first frame building and is now used as a wagon shop by Lantz and Mitchell.
There was no school taught in the village proper until about 1871, when Miss Snyder taught in the private residence of Stephen McReynolds. The present schoolhouse was built in 1874.
The old Bethany church that stood on the village site, from which it received its named, was built of hewed logs in 1838. It was replaced by the present frame structure in 1855, at a cost of $2,200. This is the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The Methodist church was erected in the fall of 1872.
There was a post office established in 1856 at Marrowbone, and J.L. Livesay was made the first postmaster. W.P. McGuire was next appointed and through his efforts the name was changed to Bethany.
Bethany was incorporated as a village in spring 1877.
