The vision and ambition of an American politician and the first Swiss settlers in this area resulted in the founding of Highland.
Dr. Kasper Koepfli had long had a dream of coming to America. The physician had become disillusioned with his homeland. The French-dominated centralized Helvectic Republic was replaced in 1814 by a conservative government after the fall of Napoleon, who had invaded Switzerland in 1797.
In 1831, Koepfli and his nephew, Joseph Suppiger, were a part of the first Swiss party of 15 people to arrive here. The two had purchased several tracts of land in the area - far more than any family could farm under frontier conditions.
James Semple, then speaker of the Illinois House and an Alton resident, approached Koeplfi and Suppiger with a proposal. Knowing the legislature had appropriated $1.6 million in 1836 to build a railroad from Alton to Mount Carmel, Semple had already purchased a good deal of land in Helvetia Township on speculation the railroad would be run there.
Semple prosposed that he, Suppiger, Koepfli and James Reynolds, a local farmer and justice of the peace, form a land company. They agreed and platted a town with the idea of selling lots to settlers. The 50 Swiss families already living in the area wanted to name the town Helvetia or new Switzerland. However, Semple talked them into a more American name, Highland.
On September 16, 1837, the partners organized a land auction to sell lots in their new town. However, the auction flopped. Semple and Reynolds soon withdrew from the partnership. Suppiger bought up the remaining lots, but speculation on the town making it did not look good.
The railroad did not come through Highland as Semple had thought. Highland would not get a railroad link until after the Civil War. Being in such an isolated area, (it took three days to travel to Highland from St. Louis. There were not roads or bridges to speak of and natural landmarks had to be used for guidance) and no railroad, Highland could have been doomed before it started.
However, Suppiger, sensing a great need for many frontier farmers, built a mill. The steam-powered mill ground corn and wheat and cut lumber. Things began to pick up.
Then, in 1843, the federal government would cure Highland's remoteness problem. The Congress was considering building a road from Vandalia, then the state capital, to St. Louis. With the help of James Semple, now a US Senator, a deal was struck to bring the National Trail through Highland if the villagers themselves constructed the road from Troy to Pocahontas. They did. When the road opened in September of 1843, Highland was no longer isolated.
Dr. Kasper Koepfli had long had a dream of coming to America. The physician had become disillusioned with his homeland. The French-dominated centralized Helvectic Republic was replaced in 1814 by a conservative government after the fall of Napoleon, who had invaded Switzerland in 1797.
In 1831, Koepfli and his nephew, Joseph Suppiger, were a part of the first Swiss party of 15 people to arrive here. The two had purchased several tracts of land in the area - far more than any family could farm under frontier conditions.
James Semple, then speaker of the Illinois House and an Alton resident, approached Koeplfi and Suppiger with a proposal. Knowing the legislature had appropriated $1.6 million in 1836 to build a railroad from Alton to Mount Carmel, Semple had already purchased a good deal of land in Helvetia Township on speculation the railroad would be run there.
Semple prosposed that he, Suppiger, Koepfli and James Reynolds, a local farmer and justice of the peace, form a land company. They agreed and platted a town with the idea of selling lots to settlers. The 50 Swiss families already living in the area wanted to name the town Helvetia or new Switzerland. However, Semple talked them into a more American name, Highland.
On September 16, 1837, the partners organized a land auction to sell lots in their new town. However, the auction flopped. Semple and Reynolds soon withdrew from the partnership. Suppiger bought up the remaining lots, but speculation on the town making it did not look good.
The railroad did not come through Highland as Semple had thought. Highland would not get a railroad link until after the Civil War. Being in such an isolated area, (it took three days to travel to Highland from St. Louis. There were not roads or bridges to speak of and natural landmarks had to be used for guidance) and no railroad, Highland could have been doomed before it started.
However, Suppiger, sensing a great need for many frontier farmers, built a mill. The steam-powered mill ground corn and wheat and cut lumber. Things began to pick up.
Then, in 1843, the federal government would cure Highland's remoteness problem. The Congress was considering building a road from Vandalia, then the state capital, to St. Louis. With the help of James Semple, now a US Senator, a deal was struck to bring the National Trail through Highland if the villagers themselves constructed the road from Troy to Pocahontas. They did. When the road opened in September of 1843, Highland was no longer isolated.
Its population jumped from 120 in 1841 to more than 500 by 1850.
Swiss immigrants continued moving to Highland. At one point, closer to the turn of the century, Highland had the largest Swiss immigrant population in the United States
Swiss immigrants continued moving to Highland. At one point, closer to the turn of the century, Highland had the largest Swiss immigrant population in the United States
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A Did-You-Know Point:
Swiss poet, Heinrich Bosshard penned the poem "Semparcherlied" while visiting Highland. This poem became the basis of the Swiss national anthem. In 1909 the Swiss Society of America erected a monument in honor of Heinrich Bosshard which stands to this day in Lindendale Park. |
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Highland Brewery
Circa 1900. Brewery founded by Gerhardt Schott in 1855. Operated as the Highland Brewing Company from 1885 to 1920. Re-opened after Prohibition as the Schott Brewing Company. 
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