Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Holmesville was named December 11, 1816 in honor of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes by commissioners who were appointed to select a spot for the seat of justice in the geographical center of the newly formed Pike County. This was the center of trade and business for the County for many years. In 1857 the Illinois Central Railroad was built 9 miles west bypassing Holmesville and the more populated area of the County. This shifted the population from the river town of Holmesville to the new railroad towns of Magnolia, Summit, and Osyka.