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East Central Illinois conjures certain images, mostly of endless crops and farmland. But nestled in Vermilion County is Illinois’ only National Scenic River.
Designated in 1989, the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River was slated to be damned to create a recreational lake and herald a tourism boom for the City of Danville.
Because the river still flows freely through the valley, things didn’t work out as planned.
An enormous effort by local conservationists, legislators and homeowners prevented the reservoir project from ever getting off the ground; however, the bitter fight divides the Danville area to this day.
This is the story of Danville in a post industrialist era. This is the story of one group’s struggle to see their hometown progress, and another group’s struggle to preserve their familial and Illinois heritage. And this is the story of present-day efforts to keep the river healthy.
This is the story of the Middle Fork River told by those who know it best.
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