A small wooden chest (18 in x 11 in x 10 in) containing numerous historic documents relating to the Townley family, the Lincoln Highway, and illinois in general. The documents include newspaper clippings, a Summit of Pikes Peak train ticket dated 1904, Two Government Land Office (GLO) Land Patent certificates signed by President Franklin Pierce (dates 1853 and 1854). The chest also contains two books: "Life Building Method" dated 1834 deals with changing land use practices after the Great Depression; and "Prof H.L. Blits' Patented and Improved Methods of Canning Fruits, Vegetables, &C." with numerous hand-written notes and added recipes. Most documents remain unexamined. The collection is in fair to good condition with differential paper preservation.