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Allen’s Grove founders repose at Mt. Philip

Photo at left: The Mt. Philip Cemetery is where you will find the founders of Allen’s Grove, originally settled in 1844. More Mystery Place photos in the GALLERY

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The Mt. Phillip Cemetery just west of Allen’s Grove can only be reached by driving into Rock County. The road out of Allen’s Grove to the cemetery, Clinton Street, was closed when Interstate Highway 43 was constructed.

To get to the cemetery, take County Highway X just into Rock County, then turn right onto Summerville Road to Townline Road and proceed past the dead end sign to the cemetery.

Drive in, stay on the center road, and at the back of the cemetery, take the left fork toward the front of the grounds. At the top of the knoll, stop and you will see the Allen family gravestones.

Allen’s Grove was founded in 1844 by four brothers — Pliny, Sidney, Phillip and Harvey Allen. Some accounts say that Sidney and his wife explored this area in 1843, but then returned to their home in New York state. The following year, the four brothers, their father and their families came to this area via Racine.

In total, 65 people came with the Allen group to what would become Allen’s Grove. Among them there was a doctor, blacksmith, shoemaker, lawyer, carpenters and storekeeper.

Allen’s Grove was platted in 1852, and at one time boasted a fine hotel, stores, shops, a doctor and dentist, a blacksmith shop, a mill, two churches and an academy. A cheese factory was built in 1865 by Simon Noyes just to the west, over the county line.

The railroad came through the community in 1855 and that spurred its growth. Years later, on April 19, 1916, the old feed mill was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The only thing inside the building was a gasoline engine.

The former general store dates back to 1846 when the community was founded. It also served as the post office beginning in 1846, with Phillip Allen Jr. as the first postmaster. It remained open until a few years ago and the building still remains across from the commons area.

In 1856, the Allens established a preparatory school for Beloit College in the upstairs quarters. By 1861, there were 159 students and three instructors, but in 1870, enrollments dropped and the academy closed.

The first principal was Mr. Parks. The last principal, Melzer Montague, later became the county superintendent of schools.