Eldorado Historical Marker

The historical marker in Eldorado, Illinois, stands as a testament to the city's vibrant past. Founded in 1857 by Judge Samuel Elder and Joseph Read, the town was originally named Elder-Reado, but legend says a railroad sign painter mistakenly changed it to Eldorado. The marker highlights Eldorado's importance as a junction of the Kaskaskia and Goshen Trails, vital routes in the pioneer era. The Kaskaskia Trail connected Shawneetown to the state capital, while the Goshen Trail led to East St. Louis.Eldorado thrived as a coal mining town from the late 1800s until the 1980s. The city also had several railroads, including the Louisville & Nashville and Cairo & Vincennes railways. The former city hall, where the marker is located, is now a museum showcasing the city's history.Notably, Eldorado holds a unique place in music history as the location of George Harrison's first performance in America. In September 1963, months before The Beatles' breakthrough on The Ed Sullivan Show, Harrison played at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall with a local band. This event is commemorated by another historical marker in the city.