Using the Archives …

Early Weather Reporting
by Sheri Baker

DeKalb County is known for its rich soil and, since its founding in 1837, farming has been an important industry.  Early settlers would report “back home” about the opportunities this good land could afford.  The county grew and so did the number of farms.  Farmers then, as now, were often at the mercy of the weather.  Knowing ahead of time what the weather would be could mean a good year or bad year for farmers. 

In 1793, when the first issue of Old Farmers’ Almanac (then known as The Farmers’ Almanac) was founded by Robert B. Thomas, weather predictions were a feature many east coast farmers relied upon.  “To calculate the Almanac’s weather predictions, Thomas studied solar activity, astronomy cycles and weather patterns, and used his research to develop a secret forecasting formula, which is still in use today.” ⁽¹⁾  

Congress passed and President Grant signed a bill authorizing the forerunner of the National Weather Service in 1870.  The U. S. Weather Bureau followed in 1890.  The earliest organized weather observations in the U. S. came from 22 sites that telegraphed reports to Washington, where four Signal Corps professionals issued what could be called early forecasts. ⁽²⁾ 

In 1886, the Signal Service was using trains to disseminate weather information to farming communities away from telegraph centers.  Symbols denoting weather that may be expected were attached to trains so that farmers throughout the country could see them and thus get early news of the weather.  The Sycamore True Republican newspaper published the notice that, “Mr. C. D. Patch, who keeps a bulletin board in front of the store of Rowe, Norris & Patch, has adopted these symbols” and “you can tell by a glance at the bulletin what to look for in the way of weather.” ⁽³⁾ 

The symbols’ color told of moisture (blue) and temperature (red). 

1.        Blue sun, general storm,

2.        Blue star, local storm,

3.        Blue moon, clear and fair,

4.        Red sun, higher temperature,

5.        Red star, stationary temperature,

6.        Red moon, lower temperature. 

In 1876, the Canadian government was also using the “weather trains” to notify the population too far from the Toronto forecast center to receive timely weather reports.  “Depending on the forecast, the agents would affix large metal discs about 3 feet in diameter into brackets on the side of the locomotive or to baggage cars appropriate for the region through which the trains leaving that morning would pass.  For example, trains headed from Toronto toward the Maritimes received forecasts for eastern regions between Toronto and the Atlantic Coast.” ⁽⁴⁾

  (continued)

Images of Sycamore

Sycamore's landmark popcorn stand was purchased, probably in the 1890's by James Elliott from the Kingery Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.  The stand was originally a wheeled wagon, stored nightly at a livery stable.  In addition to parking daily on the northwest corner of State and Maple Streets, Elliott sold popcorn and candy throughout the town with his horse pulling the rig.  After Elliott moved away in 1921, local businessmen purchased and refurbished the wagon for Edward Lobaugh, who had lost his vision.  The wheels were removed and the stand was moved to its location at the southwest corner of State and Maple Streets in 1923, with electricity and gas being supplied from beneath the sidewalk.  Several ownerships and repairs later, the opening of the popcorn stand each year is still a sign that spring is around the corner.

Picture and information used with permission of Phyllis Kelley and the Joiner Room Staff.

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Joiner Room Honored To
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The Joiner History Room Endowment Fund was established in 2008 to honor Ralph Joiner and the first appointed DeKalb County historian, Phyllis Kelley.  Phyllis continues to lead our activities.  If you wish to donate to our Endowment Fund, click on the DCCF logo or send a check directly to The Joiner Room at the address above.

 In The Archives …

 The Obituary Collection
 39,000 and Growing

 One of the first donations to the Joiner History Room was copies of the Sycamore True Republican newspaper for the years of 1867-1968.  Over a period of 10 years, County Historian Phyllis Kelley and the staff of volunteers read each issue, cataloging important events and photocopying obituary notices.  Although the newspaper donation did not include every edition, it did establish our obituary collection. 

 Original Sycamore True Republican Newspapers

 We have continually added to the obituary collection by reading all the current northern DeKalb County newspapers. We also obtain obituaries from donated collections, scrapbooks, microfilms and from other researchers. (Some of the other historical societies in the county also do this for their areas.)  An index card is prepared with the name, date of death, and binder location of the photocopy.  

To request an obit, please email us (link above).  Include as much information as possible, i. e. full name, date and location of death.  The date is especially important if we have to search microfilms.

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 Can You Help?

 The Joiner History Room is seeking to add to its archives pre 1960 telephone books and city directories for the cities of Dekalb and Sycamore.  We are also interested in historical documents pertaining to DeKalb County.  You don't have to send the original historical document, copies will be just as good.  If you have such an item to donate, please email the Joiner History Room.  In the subject line enter "Item to Donate."  Thank you. 

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