WCTU march notes 150th anniversary; delegates to visit Hillsboro Nov. 9

Highland County Historical Society

This year is the 150th anniversary of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) march in Hillsboro.

The march took place on Dec. 24, 1873 and Dec. 26, 1873. The group of ladies was led by Eliza Jane Thompson, daughter of Governor Allen Trimble.

The purpose of the march was to ask all pharmacists, hotel owners and saloon keepers to sign a document agreeing to no longer sell liquor in their establishments. The group stopped at many places of business and sang and prayed. The ladies were successful in having some of the merchants sign the agreement, and a few went out of business.

As a result of their success, the WCTU named Hillsboro “The Cradle of the Crusade Movement.”

To honor this anniversary, on Thursday, Nov. 9, delegates from the WCTU organization in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky will visit Hillsboro. The ladies will tour the Highland House Museum, lay a wreath at the grave of Eliza Thompson, attend a service at the Presbyterian Church, and re-enact the walk made by the temperance marchers in 1873.

The Highland County Historical Society will host the event.

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