Monroe County Clerk Dennis Knobloch, author of the book set “From Tablet to Tablet, Monroe County, Illinois, 1816-2016, 200 Years of History,” holds one of the slip covers for his new book. (Alan Dooley photo)

On New Year’s Day 2016, bell-ringing ceremonies throughout the county heralded the coming year and set off a year-long observance of the 200th anniversary of Monroe County, which was founded on Jan. 6, 1816 – more than two years before the state of Illinois was even established.

One of the major projects of the Monroe County Bicentennial was the creation of a book set that would tell the story of  the county’s two centuries, as well as all of the events taking place during that bicentennial year.  

It would mirror the “Arrowheads to Aerojets” book published as part of the Monroe County Sesquicentennial in 1966.  

Named “From Tablet to Tablet, Monroe County, Illinois, 1816-2016, 200 Years of History,” this historical treatise is described by author Dennis Knobloch, who serves as Monroe County Clerk and Recorder, as consisting of some 1,000 pages in two volumes with a slip cover box.

It was hoped the books would be ready this summer, but a series of health challenges faced by Knobloch caused several delays in its completion and delivery.  

But Knobloch has persevered, and while his creative work has been completed for some time, literally, heavy lifting is upon him.

The books finally arrived Dec. 20, and were made available for buyers to pick up in the county clerk’s office of the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo.

“I know many people want them for Christmas gifts, and I plan to do everything humanly possible to have them for them,” Knobloch said.

In case you missed them, “From Tablet to Tablet” will also include a series of history articles that appeared in the Republic-Times newspaper throughout the county’s bicentennial year.

Last month, Monroe County Bicentennial Committee co-chairs Knobloch and Mike Kovarik informed the county commissioners that advance sales of “From Tablet to Tablet: Monroe County, Illinois, 1816-2016,” had fallen short of goals.

Sales were projected at 2,500 volumes, with a printing cost of $32.92 per set, producing a profit for the committee.

Instead, the printing order was reduced to 1,000 sets, which raised the cost per set to $53.18.

Orders already paid will be honored for $50 each while remaining sets will be sold at $60 each.

For more information on the new book set, call the clerk’s office at 939-8681, ext. 302.