[2] In 1851, 32 families from the area of Montreal, Canada, mostly newlywed or single, came up the St. Lawrence River in search of farmland on the prairie.

They traveled across the Great Lakes and stopped at Fort Dearborn (Chicago).

Then they pushed south through the swamps and frontier until they reached the area that is now Beaverville.

The settlement, named "St. Marie," was led by Francis Besse, who became a general merchant.

Built in 1909, the structure is recorded in the National Register of Historic Places and is large enough that its red, clay-tile roof can be seen from several miles away.

40.46% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.97% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.