The site chosen was conveniently located between Marion and Murphysboro and between proposed railroad stations at Makanda and DeSoto. The town was platted on November 27, 1852.
Carbondale was founded in the early 1850’s by Daniel Harmon Brush. The location was selected since it was approximately halfway between the two proposed Illinois Central Railroad stations in Makanda and DeSoto and was also where the road from Murphysboro to Marion crossed the railroad tracks.
