The White Squirrels Of Olney, IL

Local legend in Olney, IL has a couple of different versions of how the white squirrels came
about. One is that in 1902 William Stroup was out hunting and shot a gray female squirrel. The
shot knocked the two babies out of a nest, and he brought them home to his children. They were
later sold to Jasper Banks, who put them on display in front of his saloon. In 1910 the Illinois
legislature passed a law prohibiting the confinement of wildlife, and they were released into the
woods.
Another legend has a slightly different version. Stories are that the white squirrels first appeared
here in 1902 when a hunter captured a male and female albino and put them on display. An
outraged citizen, learning of their capture, ordered their release into the woods. Although the
male was killed shortly thereafter, baby white squirrels were seen in the woods weeks later.
Olney is very serious about its albino colony and has passed laws for their protection, including
right-of-way for the white squirrels on any street in town. In 1943 the squirrel population
reached its peak at 1000, but now the population holds steady at around 200. White squirrels
have the right-of-way in all streets in Olney, and there is a $200 fine for running one over. The
police department’s badge even has a picture of a white squirrel on it. The white squirrel has
proved to be an enduring symbol of Olnean pride, and stands as Olney's most defining feature.

Story ID:	734
Written by:	Yvonne K. Meckfessel (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Local Legend
Location:	Olney Illinois USA
Year:	1900
Person:	White Squirrels