Welcome to Forgottonia is a podcast about the people of the past and present inhabiting a 16-county region of western Illinois between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, a region so often overlooked that it's become known as Forgottonia.
This episode explores the history and evolution of Smiles Day in Rushville, a tradition honoring World War I veterans that has transformed into a multifaceted community celebration.
30 Oct 2025
Welcome to Forgottonia - Camp Ellis: Kind of like Brigadoon
This episode explores the history of Camp Ellis, a temporary World War II military training camp and prisoner-of-war camp in Illinois, through firsthand accounts.
19 Jun 2025
Welcome to Forgottonia – Journey Toward Freedom
This episode explores stories of the Underground Railroad in western Illinois during the decades before the American Civil War, highlighting the journey toward freedom.
16 Dec 2024
Welcome to Forgottonia – Our Voices
This is the first in our series of occasional episodes called “Our Voices.” These are stories about people who have perspectives we think you will want to hear. This episode features:
· The owners of popular food truck
· A commentary on the similarities between Forgottonia and a Caribbean island
· A radiology technologist with a connection to an infamous moment in Major League Baseball history.
Music used in this episode includes:
“Afro Soley” written by Blair Booth. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Mi Amor Mi Vida” written by Jeremy Sherman. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Amor A Casa” written by Adam Drake; Terry Devine-King. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Mexican Moonlight” written by Elfed Hayes. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Adios Amore” written by Dave James. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Plena Puerto Rico” written by Uziel Colon. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Desert Drift” written by Adam Drake; Neil Williams. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Crying for Help” written by Frank Mizen; Daniel Mizen; Miles Brear Gilderdale. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Mystery at Midnight” written by Philip Guyler. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Jazzy Jazz” written by Andy Cooper. Courtesy of Audio Network https://us.audionetwork.com/ (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
14 Jun 2024
Welcome to Forgottonia – The Anonymous Donor
Rushville -- a rural community of a bit less than 3,000 residents – has seen millions and millions of dollars spent in recent years on a variety of projects to improve the quality of life in the town. On this episode of Welcome to Forgottonia, we ask: Where is all this money coming from?
Music used in this episode includes:
“Getting the Hang of It” written by Chris Norton; Frank Mizen. Courtesy of Audio Network (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Aphrodite 5” written by Barrie Gledden. Courtesy of Audio Network (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Don't Be Vacant” written by Terry Devine-King. Courtesy of Audio Network (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
“Fat Fairy 2” written by Patrick Hawes. Courtesy of Audio Network (https://us.audionetwork.com/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
17 Nov 2023
Welcome to Forgottonia – The ER
Ten gunshot victims arrived at Macomb’s hospital at essentially the same time during the early morning hours of March 25, 2023. On this episode of Welcome to Forgottonia, we take you into the ER that morning through the voices of the people who were there.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
8 Sept 2023
Welcome to Forgottonia
Join the Tri States Public Radio news team as they explore the rural 16-county region in western Illinois that was dubbed Forgottonia more than half a century ago.
Welcome to Forgottonia will take you through its history, its culture, its landscape, its challenges, and its future through the voices of the people who call it home.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Welcome to Forgottonia
Guest appearances
Books guests
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