Pontiac, Illinois
History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library
Pontiac is the legendary Ottawa Indian chief for which the city was named in 1837. The first settlers arrived in 1838. The city was platted in 1837 and became a center of population growth for the area. Industry was established in 1838 when a sawmill opened; the first grain mill opened in 1851. Because of its strategic location along the rail line connecting Chicago, Springfield and St.