Kimberly France, author of Black Settlements in Southern Illinois, delves deeper into the history of a settlement that was established prior to Williamson County.
Africa, Illinois It is well known that the Southern Illinois region has been referred to as “Egypt” or “Little Egypt”. Less well-known is a black settlement in present-day Thompsonville. Like many other black settlements, a cemetery is all that remains of this once-thriving agricultural community. As a child, Kimberly France knew of this place only as “the country.” In her new book, Africa in Egypt: The History of Locust Grove, Illinois, France describes her revelation of the rich history of her family and the other families who made their homes in Africa.