The present site of Fairbury was laid out in 1857 by Caleb Patton and Octave Chenute, the latter being one of the civil engineers of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. County Surveyor Isaac R. Clark made the plat. Since then numerous additions have been made.  The first house was built by John Coomer. Just across the street from the Thomas House.   In 1864, the Village of Fairbury was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and later divided into three wards under the organized city government.

Fairbury is situated on the T. P. & W. railroad about eleven and one-half miles southeast of Pontiac. Located in the center of the garden spot of Illinois. On busy days, the streets are filled with teams and merchants are kept busy attending to customers.

As a grain market, Fairbury is generally conceded to be unequaled. It is situated in the very heart of the great corn belt of Illinois. On account of the large crops of corn raised Fairbury has been selected for the location of a cellulose factory, which will work up the waste stalks into manufactured products.

The deposits of coal underlying the City and surrounding country are easily accessible and practically inexhaustible.  The coal beds were operated as early as 1862, and shafts have been sunk at various points since that time, always finding a good supply of coal.

The City owns and operates a system of waterworks superior to most towns of its size. The supply is from a well 2,000 feet deep. The water is pure, free from lime and contains many medicinal properties. A system of mains over five miles in extent conducts the water to all parts of the City and is used largely for household purposes. The City owns a fine City Hall centrally located. The lower floor is used by the city officials and the fire department and the second floor is the council chamber and a room large enough to accommodate meetings of a public nature.

The business part of town is lighted by arc lamps, while in the residence districts incandescent lamps are placed at the alternate street intersections. Thirty-five residences and all the business houses are lighted by electricity. Fairbury is preeminently a city of homes and the stranger in the city will be attracted by the large number of comfortable dwellings and well-kept lawns.

1898 Fairbury Business Directory

Churches:

Secret Societies:

• Fairbury Camp, No. 6, Modern Woodmen of America
• St. Bernard Lodge, No. 29, Knights of Pythias
• Tarbolton Lodge No. 351 A. F. & A. Masons
• St. Paul Commandery , No. 34 Knights Templar
• Fairbury Chapter No. 99 R. A. M.
• Fairbury Chapter No. 198, O. E. S.
• Fairbury District Court of Honor, No. 206
• Aaron Weider Post, No. 75, Grand Army of the Republic
• Fairbury Encampment No. 71, I.O. O. F.
• Livingston Lodge, No. 290, I.O.O.F.
• Charity Home Rebekah Lodge, No. 112
• Indian Grove Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Mutual Aid

Attorneys:

• Carrithers & Agard , attorneys at law and Ins.
• Herbert Powell, attorneys at law and Insurance

Banks:

• First National Bank, T.S.O. McDowell, Cashier, P. McDowell, President
• The Fairbury Bank - L. B. Dominy , Proprietor
• A. B. Claudon , Banker

Barbers:

• T. F. Langabeer , barber
• Seelman & Beckley, barbers
• E. G. Spence, Barber
• M. G. Sterling, Barber
• Jay Tyler, Barber

Blacksmiths and Wagonmakers:

• Jonas Lough, Blacksmith
• G. Steidinger, Blacksmith
• W. Somers, Blacksmith
• A. H. Birch, Blacksmith and Wagonmaker
• George W. Westervelt, Blacksmith
• W. L. Chesebro, Wagonmaker
• S P. Knepp, Wagonmaker

Cigar Manufacturers:

• John Conerus , Cigar Manufacturer
• John Mammen , Cigar Manufacturer

Clothing:

• Bayne & Amsler , clothing

Coal:

Contractors and Builders:

• Charles W. Anderson
• G. B. Brownson
• C. J. Davenport
• George Keyes
• W. G. Miers
• J. K. Shook
• James Small

Dentists:

• H. B. Bull,
• J. H. Dye
• J. R. Rayburn

Drugs and Medicines:

• N. S. Parson & Co., Drugs, Jewelry and wallpaper
• Wade Bros., Drugs and Medicine
• E. M. Stuckey & Co. Drugs and Medicine

Florist and Gardeners:

• Alex Milne, Florist and Gardener
• John Milne & Son, Florist and Gardener
• King Bros., Florists and Gardeners

Furniture and Undertaking:

• John P. Cook, Furniture and Undertaking
• Walton Bros., Furniture and Undertaking, J. J. Pence, Manager

General Merchandise:

• Walton Bros., Dry Goods, Millinery, Clothing, Shoes, groceries

Jewelry, Furniture and Wall Paper, Hardware and Farming Imp.

• W. J. Bethard , Dry Goods, Clothing and Shoes
• C. L. Perice , Dry Goods, Groceries and Shoes

Grain:

• S. M. Barnes, Grain
• F. L. Churchill, Grain
• N. R. Claudon , Grain

Groceries:

Hardware and Implements:

• Henderson & Eddy, Hardware & Farm Implements
• J. A. Stoller , Hardware & Implements
• Fairbury Hardware & Implement Co. C. E. Amsler, Mgr.

Harness:

• Peter Henry, Harness
• Mapel Bros. Harness & Carriages
• Walton Bros., Harness & Carriages

Hotels:

• The Thomas House, F. E. Thomas, Proprietor

Insurance:

• C. W. Keck, Fire & Life Insurance
• George Lynn, Fire & Life Insurance
• Lewis Henderson, Life Insurance