Catharine, Illinois

Catharine, formerly known as Burgess Junction, is an unincorporated community in Serena Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. Catharine is located along County Route 2, 2 mi west of Sheridan. Burgess Junction was named for a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad attorney. Its name was changed to Catharine in 1968 by the CB&Q at the request of Ellis Waller who proposed to Catharine (Katie) Bentley there on May 23, 1968 during a fund raising railroad excursion that Ellis had arranged.

Ellis asked the railroad to rename Burgess in honor of Catharine and the railroad agreed. A surprise reception was held on a CB&Q private car in Union Station where Catharine was presented with the metal sign that would be erected at the junction.