Our History
Incorporation was on February 16, 1865 for the "Village of Crotty" named after its founder, Jeremiah Crotty. The Village of Seneca was not legally termed such until March of 1957. Jeremiah Crotty, an Irish immigrant, contracted to build 11 miles of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which bisects the Village. In 1854, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad was built and designated the Village as a station stop known as "Seneca Station". It has never been determined why the railroad called it "Seneca". Seneca was also well known for the Shipyard, which built Navy warships called LST's or Landing Ship Tanks. The Shipyard was in operation from 1942 to 1945 with a final production of 157 LST's built. The shipyards played an important role in World War II because they helped people by providing money and many jobs to our community. Much more to come..... The Seneca Historical Guild is collecting memorabilia, information and items relating to our Village. If interested in donating items, please contact Doug Wood at 815-357-8478 or 815-769-5077 or e-mail to senecahistory@gmail.com Thank you for your interest.
Official Mayor's List 1864-Present
- 1864 THOMAS MORRISEY
- 1865 ANTHONY MALLANY
- 1866 W.H. UNDERHILL
- 1867 JOHN CROTTY
- 1868-1869 H.L. HOSSACK
- 1870-1871 DANIEL SHAIDE
- 1872-1873 F.M. ROBINSON
- 1874-1875 DANIEL SHAIDE
- 1876 N.J. RULISON
- 1877 R.E. JACKSON
- 1878 DANIEL SHAIDE
- 1879 P.H. GRAVES
- 1880-1881 ROBERT JACKSON
- 1882-1883 C.H.R. THOMAS
- 1884 P.H. GRAVES
- 1885 DANIEL SHAIDE
- 1886 THOMAS CRAVEN
- 1887 P.H. GRAVES
- 1888-1889 M.J. HOGAN, SR.
- 1890-1891 P.H. GRAVES
- 1892 PATRICK J. FOLEY
- 1893 ALEX VAUGHEY
- 1894 P.H. GRAVES
- 1895 HUGH HENERY
- 1896-1897 M.J. HOGAN, SR.
- 1898-1903 JAMES FARRELL
- 1904-1909 P.J. FOLEY
- 1910-1913 M.J. HOGAN, SR.
- 1914-1915 GEORGE TATTERSALL
- 1916-1918 M.J. HOGAN, SR.
- 1919-1926 P.J. FOLEY
- 1927-1929 M.J. HOGAN, JR.
- 1930-1934 M.J. HOGAN, JR.
- 1935 GEORGE TATTERSALL (DECEASED IN AUGUST)
- 1935-1941 M.J. HOGAN, JR.
- 1942 EDWARD E. FOLEY (RESIGNED IN MAY)
- 1942-1949 CHARLES H. SMITH
- 1950-1953 JAMES O'BRIEN
- 1954-1959 JOHN MARZUKE
- 1960-1961 JAMES THOMPSON (RESIGNED)
- 1962-1963 JAMES O'BRIEN
- 1964-1969 CHARLES MCALLESTER
- 1970-1973 JAMES O'BRIEN
- 1974-1977 ELLSWORTH GUMM
- 1978-1985 RONALD JOHNSON
- 1986-1989 WAYNE ANDERSON
- 1990-1991 CHARLES MCALLESTER
- 1991-1994 VINCENT GROBER
- 1995-1999 WILLIAM STEEP
- 1999-2003 DAVID F. YECK
- 2003-2007 KIM B. HILL
- 2007-2019 DAVID M. SPICER
- 2019-PRESENT JEFF OLSON