I wrote Summerfield: A Collective History and Fond Memories to keep the story of our town alive. This book began as a collection of notes, photographs, and conversations with people who remembered Summerfield as it once was. What started as a personal project soon became something much bigger — a record of the people, the places, and the moments that shaped a community.

In these pages, you will find the story of a small Illinois town told through real voices and real memories. You will meet the families who settled here, the teachers and preachers who guided the community, and the hardworking men and women who helped build something lasting. The book traces how Summerfield grew and changed through the years, yet managed to hold on to the same sense of pride and neighborly spirit that has always defined it.

My hope is that readers will feel a connection not only to the town itself, but to the idea of home. Whether you grew up in Summerfield, passed through it, or simply love small-town stories, this book offers a look at what it means to belong somewhere — to remember, to care, and to keep history alive.