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Shawnee National Forest celebrates 80th Anniversary with lecture and historical film in Rosiclare


Shawnee National Forest continues its series of special programs to commemorate their 80th Anniversary of being proclaimed a national forest. Learn about Shawnee National Forest history and the many efforts made by dedicated residents of southern Illinois that were instrumental in the creation of the only national forest in Illinois. This free program will be held Monday, October 7, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rose Clare Craft and Antique Mall on Main Street in Rosiclare, Illinois.
The program includes a presentation by Mary McCorvie, Heritage Program Manager about the early history of the Forest, as well as a special showing of The Land Changes, a historical film featuring the Shawnee National Forest. First produced in 1957 by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service this historic film features a newspaper man as he explains how worn out farmland can become an asset and how national forests are improved through reforestation, protection and proper management. Both starring roles were played by Shawnee National Forest employees; Leonard (Len) Farmer a clerk and dispatcher at Elizabethtown Ranger Station played the newspaper man, while Lindal Roberts a forestry aid worked in the Jonesboro Ranger Station.
The 1957 film will be accompanied by a showing of short vignettes highlighting the early Ozark Tours led by L.O. Trigg.
The Hardin County Historical and Genealogical Society will be hosting the event. Light refreshments will be served following the program and were made possible via donation.

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