Mackville History

As the railroad moved west, the town of Mackville, Illinois was located about 3 miles to the north of the railroad. Some of the Mackville buildings were moved to the south to be closer to the railroad for business survival. It is said that the town of Atwood, Illinois was so named by the railroad conductors by stating “let's stop at the woods” referring to the heavily wooded area of what is now Atwood, Illinois.

The Lakefork River runs just to the west of Atwood, Illinois. The name Mudcat came as a likely resident of that river. Another name was considered instead of Atwood, and that was Lick Skillet. It was told that an older woman used to let her dogs lick her cooking skillet at a house in the area.



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