text:
Neponset, Illinois

Neponset is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 427 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Neponset has a total area of 1.02 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 427 people, 149 households, and 100 families residing in the village. The population density was 420.28 PD/sqmi. There were 193 housing units at an average density of 189.96 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 87.35% White, 1.41% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 3.98% from other races, and 6.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.79% of the population.

There were 149 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.01% were married couples living together, 4.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.89% were non-families. 24.83% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.44% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 2.56.

The village's age distribution consisted of 24.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $54,750, and the median income for a family was $75,000. Males had a median income of $43,125 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,529. About 9.0% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Neponset, Illinois


text:
New Bedford, Illinois

New Bedford is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 76 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
In October 1836, Henry Thomas of West Bureau Township registered land at the narrows (now New Bedford) and for a number of years it was the only registered tract in that section of the county. In the spring of 1837, Cyrus Watson, the first settler on Green river, built a cabin on Thomas' land, believing it to be vacant. About this time a state road was laid from Princeton to Prophetstown on the Rock River, crossing the Green River at this point. Henry Thomas built a ferry boat, and for a number of years it was known as Thomas' Ferry.

Pic.1: Looking Northward from West side of Main Street. Pic.2: Looking Northward from East side of Main Street. Pic.3: Looking Northward across the Green River bridge. This section of the river is now called the Old Channel. Pic.4: Looking Southward across the Green River bridge. Large house on right belonged to the Bollman family. Pic.5: Spratt Department store on East side of Main street. The cement step still remains, located across the street from the Post Office. Pic.6: F. Janderson Department store on West side of Main street.

Geography
New Bedford is located at 41.51306°N, -89.71917°W.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, New Bedford has a total area of 0.16 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 76 people, 32 households, and 18 families residing in the village. The population density was 490.32 PD/sqmi. There were 39 housing units at an average density of 251.61 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.74% White and 5.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.63% of the population.

There were 32 households, out of which 12.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.50% were married couples living together, 9.38% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.75% were non-families. 40.63% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 1.78.

The village's age distribution consisted of 8.8% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 15.8% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 45.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $47,500, and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $41,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,430. About 22.2% of families and 26.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 80.0% of those under age 18 and 26.9% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: New Bedford, Illinois


text:
Ohio, Illinois

Ohio is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 465 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Ohio was first incorporated as a village on January 22, 1877. A post office called Ohio has been in operation since 1854. The village was named after the state of Ohio.

Geography
Ohio is located at 41.55694°N, -89.46111°W (41.556900, -89.460995).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Ohio has a total area of 0.75 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 465 people, 227 households, and 150 families residing in the village. The population density was 617.53 PD/sqmi. There were 239 housing units at an average density of 317.40 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.90% White, 0.65% African American, 0.65% Asian, 0.65% from other races, and 5.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.

There were 227 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.65% were married couples living together, 25.11% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.92% were non-families. 31.28% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.22.

The village's age distribution consisted of 12.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $60,208, and the median income for a family was $61,944. Males had a median income of $49,500 versus $14,489 for females. The per capita income for the village was $31,656. About 1.3% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education in Ohio is provided by Ohio Community Consolidated Grade School District #17 and Ohio Community High School District #505. The district maintains a single building with both Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School. Each district is administrated by a seven-member Board of Education, which includes a president and vice president. Ohio has formed cooperative teams with Amboy and LaMoille school districts for several team sports. Ohio is located within the Sauk Valley Community College district with tuition and fees at the in-district rate.

References

title: Ohio, Illinois


text:
Princeton, Illinois

Princeton is a city in and the county seat of Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,721 at the 2022 census.

Princeton is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. Due to its location where Interstate 80 meets the Amtrak system, as well as its well-preserved main street and historic housing stock, Princeton has become a popular satellite town for Chicago and the Quad Cities.

History
Bureau County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Princeton consisted entirely of settlers from New England. These people were "Yankees," descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the 1600s. They were part of a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the wilds of the Northwest Territory during the early 1800s. Most of them arrived as a result of the completion of the Erie Canal. When they arrived in what is now Bureau County there was nothing but a virgin forest and wild prairie; the New Englanders laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings and established post routes. They brought with them many of their Yankee New England values, such as a passion for education, fueling the establishment of many schools, as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian.

Culturally Bureau County, like much of northern Illinois, would be culturally very continuous with early New England culture for most of its history. During the time of slavery, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad at the home of Owen Lovejoy.

The name of Princeton was supposedly determined by drawing from a hat: "'The naming of the township of Princeton was the privilege of the three trustees, Roland Moseley, John Musgrove and John P. Blake...each one had a favorite name to present.. but could come to no agreement; finally it was decided that it should be settled by lottery. Each man was to write the name of his choice upon a piece of paper and place it in a hat, and a stranger, being blind-folded, should make the drawing. Mr. Musgrove, coming from New Jersey, and being loyal to his classic institution, wrote upon his slip Princeton, and as it had been agreed that the first name drawn should settle the question..(on) the slip of paper drawn by the blind-folded man, Princeton was plainly written, and so we today have the classic name of Princeton for the legal center of Bureau county. Princeton, for many years has enjoyed the distinction of being one of the literary centers of the state. She has the proud record of organizing and putting in successful operation the first township high school in Illinois. It is surely a city of quiet and pleasant homes.'"

Princeton's former nickname was "The City of Elms" because of the large number of elm trees the city had during the middle of the 20th century. After Dutch elm disease struck in the mid-1960's and killed off almost every elm, Princeton's slogan was changed to "Where Tradition Meets Progress".

Now, the slogan is "A Short Drive that Takes you Far."

Geography
Princeton is located at 41.37861°N, -89.46694°W (41.378481, −89.466924).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Princeton has a total area of 8.24 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 7,832 people, 3,453 households, and 2,047 families residing in the city. The population density was 950.49 PD/sqmi. There were 3,832 housing units at an average density of 465.05 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.60% White, 1.12% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 4.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.75% of the population.

There were 3,453 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.96% were married couples living together, 12.08% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.72% were non-families. 36.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.59% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 2.13.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 27.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,844, and the median income for a family was $66,473. Males had a median income of $41,096 versus $23,266 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,187. About 8.5% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Princeton's major employers include L.W. Schneider, Inc. Firearms Components Manufacturer, Ace Hardware Retail Support Center, LCN Closers, (a division of Allegion), MTM Recognition, formerly Josten's, makers of several world championship rings including the 2005 Chicago White Sox, all of the Chicago Bulls Championships, and the 1985 Chicago Bears. Champion Pneumatic manufactures air compressors, Pioneer Hi-Bred International (DuPont Co) and Perry Memorial Hospital. Princeton's Main Street is lined with independent shops and restaurants. The south end, or downtown, is the historic retail center of town and still contains the city's only movie theater (The Apollo), the courthouse, the Bureau County Historical Society, historic Matson library building, main bank offices, as well as more service-oriented businesses. The north end, also referred to as The Art District, is located about a mile uptown, north, and contains its own business district, park, and the city's historic Amtrak depot. In the past several years this area has undergone a transformation with the addition of upscale clothing stores and the restoration of a historic hotel building.

Major event
Each year the city of Princeton holds its annual Homestead Festival the second weekend in September. There are usually over one hundred entries in the parade. The homestead festival hosts a variety of events including the famous pork chop barbeque, a beer garden with local bands, children's events, craft show, and tasting booths. The festival, which began in 1971 as a celebration of the restoration of the Owen Lovejoy Homestead, now comprises a weekend of food, celebration, and the famous Homestead Parade.

Transportation
Princeton is located on the south side of Interstate 80 some 100 mi southwest of Chicago. U.S. Route 6, U.S. Route 34, and Illinois Route 26 all run through Princeton.

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Princeton, operating the California Zephyr, the Illinois Zephyr, the Carl Sandburg and the Southwest Chief each daily in both directions between Chicago and points west from Princeton.

Education
Princeton is home Princeton High School, the oldest township high school in the state, founded in 1867. Its mascot is the Tiger. The high school enrollment fluctuates between 550 and 650 students. The school recently finished adding on an addition to meet the students' needs. The new addition houses a larger library as well as several new classrooms. The school is home to the Frank and Marion Rathje track which hosts high school football and track and field teams from around the region.

Library
Princeton's library history dates back to March 1886 when a location for the library was decided upon and secured. The first library was located at the building at what now is 529 South Main Street. In 1890 the Matson Public Library, located on South Main, was first opened for use by the public. It remained in use for 22 years. In 1912 the construction of larger Matson Public Library building was begun. It was located at 15 Park Avenue East. On March 21, 2006, a referendum was passed for the renovation of 698 East Peru Street, formerly known as Bogo's, to become Princeton Public Library. Princeton Public Library opened on August 1, 2007, replacing an older facility, the Matson Public Library, and has a book collection of 45,000 items, with about 27000 sqft of usable space. The library is located on East Peru Street (U.S. Route 6). In March 2009, the Princeton Public Library was one of only three libraries in the state of Illinois to host Between Fences, an exhibit sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibits Service (SITES) and the Illinois Humanities Council. Additional exhibits include Bookstock: Celebrating 40 Years of Woodstock, and Cherry Mine Disaster Revisited, a showcase commemorating the lives lost during the Cherry Mine Disaster of 1909.

Notable people

 * Nehemiah Matson, author, 19th century
 * William Bascom, folklorist, anthropologist
 * John Howard Bryant, poet, older Brother of William Cullen Bryant, and friend of Abraham Lincoln, lived in Princeton
 * E. Leslie Conkling, educator and Illinois state legislator
 * James E. Dabler, Illinois state representative and businessman
 * Henry C. Doolittle, state assemblyman from Wisconsin
 * William Dyke, Wisconsin judge and politician
 * Aleta Fenceroy, LGBT activist, musician, divorced Mother of 2 children
 * Virgil Fox, one of the greatest organists of the 20th Century
 * Billy Garrett, auto racer
 * Gary Green, guitarist for the band Gentle Giant
 * Thomas P. Gunning, dentist and Illinois state senator
 * Madison Gonterman, head football coach at Indiana University 1896–97
 * Kathryn Hays, television actress (birth name Kay Piper), was on As the World Turns from 1972 to 2010.
 * Frank Fernando Jones, Iowa state legislator
 * Keith Knudsen, drummer with the Doobie Brothers graduated from Princeton High School
 * Owen Lovejoy, Congressman, key supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and a leader in the Underground Railroad to free slaves
 * Rufus Lumry, circuit preacher, outspoken abolitionist, early Illinois organizer of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, preached there
 * Asa Mercer, founder of the University of Washington
 * Bruce Nickells, harness racing driver and trainer; grew up in Princeton
 * Ben Parr, author of Captivology, former co-editor of Mashable and columnist for CNET
 * Joseph R. Peterson lawyer and Illinois state legislator
 * Robert Petkoff, noted Broadway and television Actor, graduated from Princeton High School
 * Joseph "Joe" Ruklick, NBA basketball player with the Philadelphia Warriors
 * Eliza Suggs, temperance activist
 * Josh Taylor, actor in Days of Our Lives and television features, including The Hogan Family TV series for 6 years
 * Justin Tranchita, actor and artist
 * William V. Thompson, bowler
 * Richard Widmark, Oscar-nominated actor of 61 movies, graduated from Princeton HS as Senior Class President
 * Milo Winter, children's book artist|
 * Bill Wirges, motorcycle racer whose fastest speed was 241.927 MPH in 1973 at Utah Salt Flat
 * Nick Young, radio newscaster with CBS and WBBM

Radio stations

 * WZIV 90.7 FM
 * WZOE 98.1 FM
 * WZOE 1490 AM

title: Princeton, Illinois


text:
Seatonville, Illinois

Seatonville is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 321 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
A post office called Seatonville has been in operation since 1889, named for W. A. Seaton, an early settler.

The town is part of a constellation of coal mining towns centered on Spring Valley and LaSalle, Illinois. The Seaton brothers, Isom and James, sank the first coal mine shaft there in 1880. The mine was sold in 1888 to the Chicago, Wilmington, and Vermilion Coal Company based in Braidwood, Illinois. During the strike of 1889, it was the only mine operating in northern Illinois. A small community of African-Americans was brought in by the company to replace deserting miners.

The mine went bankrupt in 1900 and was purchased by the Spring Valley Coal Company. The town grew until the mine was closed in 1913.

Geography
Seatonville is located at 41.36333°N, -89.27306°W (41.363312, -89.273094).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Seatonville has a total area of 0.51 sqmi, of which 0.50 sqmi (or 97.06%) is land and 0.02 sqmi (or 2.94%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 321 people, 188 households, and 111 families residing in the village. The population density was 628.18 PD/sqmi. There were 141 housing units at an average density of 275.93 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.59% White, 0.31% Native American, 4.05% Asian, 0.93% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.98% of the population.

There were 188 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.70% were married couples living together, 19.68% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.96% were non-families. 39.36% of all households were made up of individuals, and 31.91% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 1.98.

The village's age distribution consisted of 19.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 22% from 45 to 64, and 30.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,405, and the median income for a family was $50,938. Males had a median income of $46,500 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,401. About 20.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Jack Kibble, third baseman for the Cleveland Naps; born in Seatonville

title: Seatonville, Illinois


text:
Sheffield, Illinois

Sheffield is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 821 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. Sheffield was founded by Joseph E. Sheffield and Henry Farnam in 1852. Sheffield and Farnam constructed the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, and the town site was intended as a coaling station for trains. According to Farnam, he and Sheffield flipped a coin to see for whom the town would be named. A monument to Joseph E. Sheffield, and the Rock Island Railroad stands today in Sheffield's town square.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Sheffield has a total area of 1.17 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 821 people, 369 households, and 218 families residing in the village. The population density was 702.31 PD/sqmi. There were 411 housing units at an average density of 351.58 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.25% White, 0.24% African American, 0.61% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 369 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.95% were married couples living together, 7.59% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.92% were non-families. 27.37% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.65% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 2.24.

The village's age distribution consisted of 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,854, and the median income for a family was $67,250. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $26,429 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,810. About 9.6% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable persons

 * Red Gunkel, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
 * Olive Percival, (1868-1945), gardening writer
 * Clayton C. Pervier (1857–1929), Illinois politician, farmer, and newspaper editor
 * Jason Ringenberg, musician

title: Sheffield, Illinois


text:
Spring Valley, Illinois

Spring Valley is a city situated on the Illinois River in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,582 at the 2020 census, up from 5,558 in 2010. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Spring Valley is located at 41.32722°N, -89.20083°W (41.327154, -89.200752).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Spring Valley has a total area of 7.40 sqmi, of which 7.36 sqmi (or 99.47%) is land and 0.04 sqmi (or 0.53%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 5,582 people, 2,221 households, and 1,421 families residing in the city. The population density was 754.83 PD/sqmi. There were 2,539 housing units at an average density of 343.34 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.34% White, 1.83% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 7.40% from other races, and 9.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.70% of the population.

There were 2,221 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.32% were married couples living together, 10.45% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.02% were non-families. 29.27% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.87% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 2.26.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,549, and the median income for a family was $58,545. Males had a median income of $42,969 versus $17,281 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,500. About 11.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Name
Spring Valley lies in the valley of Spring Creek. The hills on either side of this valley were, and are to some extent today, laced with springs that still feed Spring Creek.

There were numerous springs in the town itself. One in the vicinity of the once Hunter-Doherty Lumber yard was so large and fast-flowing that the indigenous people from that area had an encampment there. Remains of this encampment were visible in the early days of the town. There was a large spring that flowed from the side of the hill between East St. Paul Street and East Devlin Street, down a gully into Spring Creek. Springs still feed the pond of water at the foot of Number One slag dump on East St. Paul Street. This area is now the "Coal Mine Park" owned by Spring Valley PRIDE. The first drinking water supply was piped from large springs on North Sixth Street.

So, with the springs and valleys, it was easy to conceive the name Spring Valley. There is a record that the Indians called this territory, "The Valley of the Springs."

The fact that Spring Valley is located at the point in the river valley where the high bluffs, which contains the famous stream, are closer together than anywhere else in the grain belt and that there is a minimum flood plain has made this point most attractive for the location of grain elevators. It has become the fulcrum of the grain handling industry of the upper section of the Illinois River.

Coal
Spring Valley was founded in 1884 in the heart of the coal fields of Northern Illinois for the express purpose of mining of coal. The building of Spring Valley was the enterprise of Henry J. Miller, one of the first settlers of this area, and his son-in-law, Charles J. Devlin. Charles Devlin had lived in Peru, Illinois as the manager of the Union Coal Company in LaSalle. They conceived the idea of establishing a coal metropolis, in the Valley and on the slopes of the bluffs bordering Spring Creek, in the southeastern corner of Bureau County. They acquired the mineral rights of 5000 acre and purchased 500 acre on which to build the town. They secured the financial aid and cooperation of coal and railroad capitalists, E.N. Saunders of St. Paul, Minnesota, a director of the Chicago and North Western railroad, Mr. Taylor of What Cheer, Iowa, and William L. Scott of Erie, Pennsylvania. Scott was a United States Senator from Pennsylvania during the administration of President Grover Cleveland. Most of these men are remembered in the name of the streets of the town.

Two companies were formed, the Spring Valley Coal Company in partnership with Alexander Campbell, and the Spring Valley Town Site Co. Backed by the almost unlimited resources of the coal barons, these two companies spent over $2$1/2$ million in less than four years in the building of the town.

The boring of the mine commenced in 1884 and the town surveyed and platted. Spring Valley did not grow from a crossroads country store or framehouse, it was planned with the hope it would grow to be a large city. Space was set aside for churches, schools and public buildings and broad streets were laid out. St. Paul Street became one of the widest streets in the state and in 1984 made even wider. In the residential section of the city property line, lies 25 ft from curb and ample room for expansion.

Spring Valley was a boom town, its growth was so rapid that it was called the "Magic City." In less than four years, by 1888, the Chicago North Western railroad had laid a line from DeKalb, Illinois, four mines had been sunk and the town had 3,000 people.

Violent strikes
There were large-scale violent strikes in the late 1880s. Italian coal miners in the 1890s brought in anarchism, and the violence escalated during the depression of 1893-96. The strikes were failures but the angry miners voted for the Populist ticket in 1894.

In August 1895, Spring Valley experienced the state's most destructive race riot to date, out of which came major legislation prohibiting companies from bringing in squads of men to replace existing workers. Tension between mine owners and union agitators led to a lockout in 1889. Many Italian immigrants arrived to cross the picket lines but eventually staged their own strike in 1894, encouraging the industry to bring in African Americans to break the strike. Relations between the races rapidly deteriorated, leading to the riot that ended the use of Black strike breakers. Governor John Peter Altgeld's response to the August 4 attack on the black community by displaced Italian miners ultimately revealed his support of fellow immigrants over African Americans. Another riot erupted in 1895 when recent Polish, Lithuanian, Italian, and Belgian immigrants raided, burned, and looted the Black section of town, leaving fourteen Black townspeople injured. Black victims of the riot took their attackers to court and used their status as citizens to win the case against the new immigrants.

Spring Valley remained a brawling, boisterous place until the competition from cheaper Southern Illinois coal fields forced the mine to close in late 1927.

Ethnicity
Spring Valley like every other coal town came to know almost every nationality in Europe. These people came from LaSalle, Peru, Braidwood, Braceville and all mining camps of Northern Illinois. The English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and Cornish from the Coal fields of Great Britain, from Northern France and Belgium. Polish, and Germans, Swedes and Lithuanians from opposite shores of the Baltic Sea, Slavish peasants from Central Europe and immigrants from sunny Italy. Many arriving here attired in their native dress tagged and ticketed from their port of entry. The town also developed a black section known as the "Location." In 1905, the Bureau County Republican Newspaper stated that there were 32 distinct nationalities groups in Spring Valley.

Institutions founded
By 1888, two years after the incorporation of the town, February 8, 1886, two churches, the Congregational and the Immaculate Conception, had been built, two schools erected, the Immaculate Conception Parochial and the Lincoln Public School, which includes a two-year high school course, a newspaper (the Spring Valley Gazette), and a public library.

This library, an institution for which all towns wait many years, was established by the "Knights of Labor", the Coal Miner's Union in 1885 before the town was a year old, before even a city government was formed. This early interest in education culminated in the establishment of two schools believed to be the first of their kind in the state.

The Hall Township High and Vocational School training in shop, carpentry, printing, drafting, cooking, sewing, typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and banking. This school was constructed in 1914.

City government
The city government is aldermanic, with two aldermen to each of four wards, and a mayor, who is elected at large. As of 2024, the aldermen comprising the Spring Valley City Council were as follows:

 * Mayor: Melanie Malooley Thompson (elected in 2021)
 * Ward 1: Mike Herrmann, CJ VanSchaick
 * Ward 2: Chris Affelt, Jeff Chiaventone
 * Ward 3: Deb Baltikauski, Greg Campbell
 * Ward 4: Dave Pellegrini, Ken Bogacz

Transportation
While there is no fixed-route transit service in Spring Valley, intercity bus service is provided by Burlington Trailways in nearby Peru.

Notable people

 * Brian Allard, MLB pitcher
 * Chad Durbin, relief pitcher for six MLB teams; World Series champion (2008); born in Spring Valley
 * Joe Krabbenhoft, basketball player and coach at University of Wisconsin
 * Alixa Naff, historian of Arab American immigration
 * Billy Papke, world middleweight boxing champion, 1908

title: Spring Valley, Illinois


text:
Tiskilwa, Illinois

Tiskilwa is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 728 at the 2022 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Exelon Wind, a division of Exelon Power, owns and operates the Illinois Wind AgriWind Project in Tiskilwa.

Geography
Tiskilwa is located at 41.29167°N, -89.50639°W (41.291664, -89.506462).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Tiskilwa has a total area of 0.52 sqmi, all land.

Early history
Prior to and following European settlement in Illinois, Tiskilwa (formerly called Indiantown) was a Potawatomi village. In 1836, Augustus Langworthy platted and established a town called Windsor where Tiskilwa now stands. In 1840, Windsor and Indiantown were consolidated and renamed to Tiskilwa. Tiskilwa was then officially incorporated in 1856. Tiskilwa emerged as a regional economic and cultural center integrating its own administrative capacities, schools, churches and shops serving a small population of townspeople and farm families from the surrounding 3 to 5 mi. It was a small community whose center was three blocks of Main Street around which were located its churches, cafes, taverns, grocery stores, beauty parlors, barbershops and other businesses.

History of Tiskilwa Schools
Tiskilwa High School closed in 1996. High school students from Tiskilwa now attend Princeton High School (Illinois). Tiskilwa grade school is now owned by the Princeton Elementary School District and houses the Bureau Marshall Putnam counties' special education cooperative (BMP), and the Bureau County Special Schools Bureau Educational Support Team (BEST Program), a public K-12 alternative school. The first school buildings in Tiskilwa dated to 1838. A newer building was erected in 1867. In 1978, the modern high school building was erected, which closed with the deactivation of the school system in 1996. The first graduating class from Tiskilwa was in 1878 with a graduating class membership of two.

Strawberry Festival
Tiskilwa's Strawberry and Artisan Festival is held on the second Saturday in June; it celebrates Tiskilwa's strawberry season and showcases area artists. The festival offers fresh berries and strawberry shortcake, live entertainment, children's activities and food vendors in downtown Tiskilwa from late morning through early afternoon. It typically coincides with town-wide garage sales.

Pow Wow Days
Tiskilwa celebrates Pow Wow Days annually during first weekend in August. This is a three-day event with a community concert or big band dancing, children's "Little Spurs Rodeo" (which was discontinued in 2021), a parade, a Native American pow wow, a beer garden, 4-H Club and cheerleader-sponsored food stands, church-sponsored lunches, historical tours, antique automobiles and tractors, and other events. Pow Wow Days was founded in 1976 as part of the national bicentennial.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 740 people, 298 households, and 191 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,431.33 PD/sqmi. There were 340 housing units at an average density of 657.64 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.43% White, 0.27% African American, 0.41% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 6.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 298 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.64% were married couples living together, 10.07% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.91% were non-families. 34.56% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 2.33.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,071, and the median income for a family was $53,250. Males had a median income of $40,139 versus $21,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,328. About 17.3% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Warren Giles, professional baseball executive, born in Tiskilwa
 * Charles Torrey Simpson, botanist, malacologist and conservationist
 * Lilian Whiting, journalist, editor, and author of poetry and short stories

title: Tiskilwa, Illinois


text:
Walnut, Illinois

Walnut is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. People from Walnut are identified as “Walnutions” as a unique response to the demonym. The population was 1,311 at the 2020 census, down from 1,416 at the 2010 census and 1,461 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. The village was originally incorporated on October 26, 1876.

Geography
Walnut is located at 41.55639°N, -89.59139°W (41.556404, -89.591503).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Walnut has a total area of 0.80 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,311 people, 562 households, and 362 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,636.70 PD/sqmi. There were 578 housing units at an average density of 721.60 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.49% White, 0.15% African American, 0.15% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 3.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.

There were 562 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.80% were married couples living together, 9.61% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.59% were non-families. 33.63% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.55% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 2.30.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,382, and the median income for a family was $69,605. Males had a median income of $39,833 versus $21,420 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,790. About 7.2% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Besides the local public schools, Christ Lutheran School, located in nearby Sterling, serves students of various religious backgrounds from Walnut to Milledgeville and from Morrison to Dixon. As part of the largest network of Protestant schools in the US, CLS provides an education for students from age 3 through 8th grade that is focused on all of the core academic subjects while remaining true to the Bible.

Notable people

 * Dan Kolb, pitcher for five Major League Baseball teams; graduated from Walnut High School
 * Don Marquis, author of Archy and Mehitabel; born in Walnut

title: Walnut, Illinois


text:
Wyanet, Illinois

Wyanet is a village in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. The population was 886 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Wyanet's history dates back to 1821; it was officially plated in 1854 and incorporated in 1857. The community has had several names since its beginning. In 1821 the settlement was first called "Center". Named by Bulbona an Indian trader. In 1837 the Village officially started to sprout its roots due to the area known as "Pond Creek". Named for the Creek at the South edge of town where Ellis Mercer built a saw mill and Amos Leonard built the first flour mill. The first railroad, the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific was built here in 1853. At this time the name was changed to "Kingston" in honor of the land donors Henry and Mary King. The Chicago, Burlington, Quincy Railroad gave the Village its current name, Wyanet, when they completed their rail line in 1855.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Wyanet has a total area of 0.95 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 886 people, 451 households, and 308 families residing in the village. The population density was 936.58 PD/sqmi. There were 405 housing units at an average density of 428.12 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.99% White, 0.23% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 6.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.72% of the population.

There were 451 households, out of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.22% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.71% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.41% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 2.72.

The village's age distribution consisted of 31.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $47,454, and the median income for a family was $53,889. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $25,438 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,490. About 14.6% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Darwin Teilhet, mystery novelist and screenwriter; born in Wyanet
 * Mary L. Moreland (1859-1918), minister, evangelist, suffragist, author

title: Wyanet, Illinois


text:
Batchtown, Illinois

Batchtown is a village in southern Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 170 at the 2020 census, down from 214 at the 2010 census. As of 2018, the population had decreased to an estimated 199.

History

The village and the area surrounding it was called Richwoods during the 1850s. Then people started referring to the area as Sam White's, after a leading merchant in Calhoun County. It was later called Batchelder Ville, after William Batchelder, who lived in the village during the 1860s. A post office opened up in the community in 1879 and Batchtown became the official name of the village.

By the time the village was incorporated, there were several stores and shops. The Grand Army of the Republic set up a post in the village and the first Batchtown Methodist Church was set up.

William Batchelder was a leading citizen in the community. He owned and operated a corn mill in Batchtown. He later changed the corn mill into a flour mill. William Batchelder was also a justice of the peace and merchant.

Samuel White was also a leading citizen in Batchtown. He owned a store in the village that sold stock groceries, dry goods, shoes, and hardware. He also sold farm machinery.

Geography
Batchtown is located at 39.03362°N, -90.65529°W.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Batchtown has a total area of 1.86 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 170 people, 69 households, and 53 families residing in the village. The population density was 91.25 PD/sqmi. There were 93 housing units at an average density of 49.92 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.06% White and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.

There were 69 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.91% were married couples living together, 2.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.19% were non-families. 23.19% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 2.93.

The village's age distribution consisted of 35.1% under the age of 18, 1.0% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 149.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $67,917, and the median income for a family was $83,125. Males had a median income of $70,000 versus $33,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,152. No families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Bill McGee, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants

title: Batchtown, Illinois


text:
Brussels, Illinois

Brussels is a village in southern Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 116 at the 2020 census.

General information
Brussels is the headquarters location of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, which is noted for its population of bald eagles. The refuge is named after the two great rivers that flow together close to Brussels, the Illinois River and the Mississippi River.

Brussels has one school district, No. 42, which consists of one grade school (Brussels Grade School) and one high school (Brussels High School). The school district serves the surrounding communities of Meppen, Golden Eagle, and parts of Batchtown. In addition to the public school system, Brussels has a parochial grade school, St. Marys. Brussels High School is small and its enrollment usually hovers at around 70 students.

History
Brussels was first settled in 1822, when John Mettz came to the area; later in the same year, Joshua Twitchell established the community's first business, a blacksmith shop. In 1843, Brussels' population grew significantly due to an influx of German immigrants. German immigration continued through the 1860s, and Irish immigrants also began settling in Brussels in the 1850s. The Wittmond Trading Post, one of the first brick stores in the region, opened in Brussels in 1847, marking the beginning of the village's commercial development. St. Mary's Church formed in 1848 to serve the community's Catholic residents; its current church building was constructed in 1863. In the early 1860s, St. Matthew's Church formed for Brussels' German Lutheran population. Brussels opened its own post office in 1875 and built its own jail in 1876. In 1888, Brussels was legally incorporated as a village.

The main street of the village is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Brussels is located at 38.94722°N, -90.58861°W (38.947275, -90.588630).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Brussels has a total area of 0.56 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 116 people, 36 households, and 17 families residing in the village. The population density was 207.89 PD/sqmi. There were 55 housing units at an average density of 98.57 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.97% White, 0.86% African American, 1.72% from other races, and 3.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.

There were 36 households, out of which 11.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.44% were married couples living together, 2.78% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.78% were non-families. 52.78% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.44% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.47 and the average family size was 2.64.

The village's age distribution consisted of 9.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 63.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 56.9 males.

Males had a median income of $39,583 versus $19,844 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,463. No families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 36.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Brussels, Illinois


text:
Hamburg, Illinois

Hamburg is a village in Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 99 at the 2020 census, down from 128 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Hamburg is located at 39.23139°N, -90.71611°W (39.231277, -90.716207).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Hamburg has a total area of 0.66 sqmi, of which 0.52 sqmi (or 79.57%) is land and 0.13 sqmi (or 20.43%) is water.

History
One hundred lots in the town of Hamburg were offered for sale by John Shaw in 1836. Once a thriving river community where apples were loaded and shipped, banks were busy and profitable, stores were laden with goods and shoppers, Hamburg now sits quietly along and sometimes in the waters of the Mississippi. The only public facility is the Hamburg Post Office. A bluff top monument overlooks the village, indicating the burial of riverboat Captain Swarnes who wished to be buried upright to command a panoramic view of the river. National Geographic, September 1975; pages 308 and 309, published a picture of the Delta Queen heading up the Mississippi river past Hamburg, using Captain Swarnes' monument as the photographer's vantage point.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 99 people, 42 households, and 35 families residing in the village. The population density was 150.91 PD/sqmi. There were 74 housing units at an average density of 112.80 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 79.80% White, 2.02% African American, 0.00% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 2.02% from other races, and 15.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.05% of the population.

There were 42 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.43% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.67% were non-families. 9.52% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.52% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.09 and the average family size was 3.64.

The village's age distribution consisted of 25.5% under the age of 18, 0.0% from 18 to 24, 15.1% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 168.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $38,571, and the median income for a family was $38,036. Males had a median income of $20,625 versus $23,472 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,999. About 8.6% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.7% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Hamburg, Illinois


text:
Hardin, Illinois

Hardin is a village and county seat of Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 801 at the 2020 census, down from 967 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Hardin is located at 39.15833°N, -90.61833°W (39.158271, −90.618239).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Hardin has a total area of 2.30 sqmi, of which 2.13 sqmi (or 92.44%) is land and 0.17 sqmi (or 7.56%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 801 people, 263 households, and 192 families residing in the village. The population density was 347.96 PD/sqmi. There were 370 housing units at an average density of 160.73 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.01% White, 0.12% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 1.50% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.

There were 263 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.88% were married couples living together, 5.32% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 25.86% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.41% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.47 and the average family size was 2.82.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 31% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $55,938, and the median income for a family was $78,846. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $27,450 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,596. About 15.1% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Early history
Hardin was first known as Terry's Landing, after its first settler, Dr. William Terry, according to John Lammy's American Centennial celebration speech in Hardin on July 4, 1876. Benjamin F. Childs bought the landing in 1835 and renamed it Childs' Landing. The village name was changed to Hardin when it became the county seat of Calhoun County in 1847. The new name honored John J. Hardin, a former congressman and a colonel in the First Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, who was killed earlier that year in the Mexican–American War. Hardin became the seat of Calhoun County after the county courthouse had burned down in Gilead. The seat was temporarily moved to Hamburg, but after an offer from Benjamin Childs of five acres of land and fifty thousand bricks for the new courthouse, as well as a free barbeque dinner, it was decided in a vote that the county seat would be moved in 1847.

Notable people

 * Thomas D. Bare (1867–1931), Illinois newspaper editor and state senator, lived in Hardin
 * Jerry Corbett (1917–1997), businessman, baseball player, and politician, was born in Hardin
 * Bill McGee (1909–1987), major league baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants

title: Hardin, Illinois


text:
Kampsville, Illinois

Kampsville is a village in Calhoun County, Illinois, United States, located on the west bank of the Illinois River. The population was 310 at the 2022 census.

Name
Kampsville was originally known as Beeman's Landing, after James L. Beeman, a ferry operator on the Illinois River. After Stephen Farrow purchased the ferry from Beeman, the name was changed to Farrowtown. The name Vedder was used when the post office was established in 1857. The name Kampsville was made official on March 6, 1872, and refers to Michael A. Kamp, who served as president of the village board and was also a postmaster at Silver Creek, north of Kampsville.

General information
The Kampsville ferry crosses the Illinois River and connects the Kampsville segment of Illinois Route 108 with its remainder in Greene County. The ferry is free and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is one of two permanent ferries operated by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The village is the base of operations for the Center for American Archeology, an educational and research organization dedicated to the archeological understanding of the Native Americans and of the European settlers in the region. It contains exhibits demonstrating evidence of 7,000 years of human habitation excavated at the Koster Site in nearby Greene County.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Kampsville has a total area of 1.24 sqmi, of which 1.02 sqmi (or 82.26%) is land and 0.22 sqmi (or 17.74%) is water.

Three highways run through the village. They are Route 100, Route 96, and a small portion of Route 108 leads to the Kampsville ferry.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 310 people, 132 households, and 96 families residing in the village. The population density was 250.00 PD/sqmi. There were 175 housing units at an average density of 141.13 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.29% White, 1.29% Native American, and 7.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of the population.

There were 132 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 15.15% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.27% were non-families. 27.27% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.36% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 2.30.

The village's age distribution consisted of 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $49,583, and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $38,438 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,374. About 26.0% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 56.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Kampsville, Illinois


text:
Chadwick, Illinois

Chadwick is a village in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 481 at the 2020 census, down from 551 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Chadwick is located at 42.01417°N, -89.88917°W (42.014081, -89.889078).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Chadwick has a total area of 0.31 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1481 people, 256 households, and 163 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,546.62 PD/sqmi. There were 246 housing units at an average density of 791.00 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.67% White, 0.42% African American, 0.62% Asian, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.

There were 256 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.95% were married couples living together, 5.08% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.33% were non-families. 31.25% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.55% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.07.

The village's age distribution consisted of 15.5% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 19.2% from 25 to 44, 35.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 128.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $50,000, and the median income for a family was $57,039. Males had a median income of $36,908 versus $25,652 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,324. About 3.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
The city of Chadwick and surrounding rural area are a part of a consolidation with neighboring Milledgeville, with the K-3 and High School being in the Milledgeville School building and 4th-8th grades at the Chadwick school building, therefore, forming the Chadwick-Milledgeville Community Unit District #399.

Christ Lutheran School, located in nearby Sterling, serves students of various religious backgrounds from Chadwick to Walnut and from Morrison to Dixon. As part of the largest network of Protestant schools in the US, CLS provides an education for students from age 3 through 8th grade that is focused on all of the core academic subjects while remaining true to the Bible.

History
Chadwick is the youngest community in Carroll County and had its beginnings circa 1853 when Jacob Isenhart built the first house on the prairie.

In 1866, when the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad extended its line from Aurora to Savanna, no provision was made for town sites, so the St. Paul Land Company was organized to acquire land along the right-of-way. The company decided that 60 acre which comprised the original town site and belonged to Alexander Snow of Lanark would be an ideal location. The Land Company offered the Snows $100 per acre but Lanark merchants had persuaded the Snows that their land was worth $125; neither party would yield. When the land company started looking elsewhere the farmers in the community raised $1,500, to make up the difference. The land company named the new town Chadwick in honor of one of its officials. The original plot of the town was filed for record on April 12, 1886.

Decreasing population caused a call to incorporate the town. Incorporation papers for Chadwick were approved on September 26, 1882. Following incorporation a village board was elected and a police magistrate and marshal appointed.

The first railroad station was a manure spreader on the south side of the track equipped with the necessary wiring and telegraph instruments for receiving and sending messages on the movement of trains. A new station was built in 1887. Frank Lacy was the first agent but was a telegraph operator only. There were no tickets for sale and passengers paid their fares on the train. The station was enlarged in 1926.

title: Chadwick, Illinois


text:
Lanark, Illinois

Lanark is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,504 at the 2020 census, down from 1,584 at the 2010 census. The city was named after Lanark, in Scotland.

History
Under the auspices of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road), Daniel W. Dame purchased 500 acres, laid out the city of Lanark, and was elected its first mayor in 1861. In 1886, 40 residents each donated one dollar to form a public library, and a primary and secondary school was completed in August 1871. On November 25, 1893, the original school was destroyed by fire.

Early in the Twentieth Century, Lanark was home to the Cotta steam car company.

In 1986 Lanark High School was consolidated with nearby Shannon High School to form the Eastland School District. The high school and grade school were originally located in Lanark, with the middle school in Shannon. After the end of the 2012–2013 school year, the Eastland School Board made the decision to close the Elementary building in Lanark, and move those students to the Shannon building. The Middle School students were then relocated to the High School building in Lanark, now known as the Eastland Jr/Sr High School.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,504 people, 617 households, and 433 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,341.66 PD/sqmi. There were 696 housing units at an average density of 620.87 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.88% White, 0.60% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 1.20% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.53% of the population.

There were 617 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.38% were married couples living together, 14.59% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.82% were non-families. 25.45% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 2.32.

The city's age distribution consisted of 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,917, and the median income for a family was $77,614. Males had a median income of $41,146 versus $23,354 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,028. About 11.3% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Geography
Lanark is located at 42.10139°N, -89.83222°W (42.101346, -89.832120).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Lanark has a total area of 1.12 sqmi, all land.

Education
Lanark is a part of Eastland Community Unit School District #308, which also includes Shannon and Lake Carroll. Lanark, Shannon and Lake Carroll are the home of the Eastland Cougars. Eastland Elementary School, is located in Shannon and Eastland Jr./Sr. High School, is located in Lanark.

title: Lanark, Illinois


text:
Milledgeville, Illinois

Milledgeville is a village in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population of the village was 1,026 at the 2020 census.

History
The town originated from a gristmill that was built in 1834, of which the town got its name. When the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was built through the area in 1866 it caused an increase in population and goods. Milledgeville was incorporated as a village in 1886. The original mill was torn down in 1908. The population peaked in the 1960s and has since seen a slow decline.

Geography
Milledgeville is located at 41.96389°N, -89.77444°W (41.963763, -89.774372).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Milledgeville has a total area of 0.69 sqmi, all land.

The nearest shopping and commerce area to the village is in the towns of Sterling and Rock Falls, about 12 miles south of downtown Milledgeville, while the closest major shopping, entertainment, and city amenities are in Rockford, which is about 45 miles to the northeast of downtown Milledgeville.

The village is located 110 miles from downtown Chicago (2.5 hour drive) and about 85 miles away (1.5 hour drive) from the nearest Chicago suburbs of Sugar Grove/Aurora.

Education
The village of Milledgeville and surrounding rural area are a part of a consolidation with neighboring Chadwick, with the K-12 being in the Milledgeville School building and Pre-k at the Chadwick school building, therefore, forming the Chadwick-Milledgeville Community Unit District #399. The school district's website is www.dist399.net and the high school uses a missile as its mascot. On top of the marquee at the school is an actual missile. The official sports team moniker is the Missiles.

Christ Lutheran School, located in nearby Sterling, serves students of various religious backgrounds from Milledgeville to Walnut and from Morrison to Dixon. As part of the largest network of Protestant schools in the US, CLS provides an education for students from age 3 through 8th grade that is focused on all of the core academic subjects while remaining true to the Bible.

Higher education can be attained within a reasonable driving distance at either Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,026 people, 478 households, and 248 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,486.96 PD/sqmi. There were 489 housing units at an average density of 708.70 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.91% White, 0.68% African American, 0.39% Asian, 1.27% from other races, and 5.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.53% of the population.

There were 478 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.75% were married couples living together, 5.02% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.12% were non-families. 41.84% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.04% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 2.04.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.6% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 18.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,661, and the median income for a family was $69,167. Males had a median income of $44,500 versus $30,948 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,203. About 14.1% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Milledgeville, Illinois


text:
Mount Carroll, Illinois

Mount Carroll is a city in and the county seat of Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,479 at the 2020 census.

History
Mount Carroll began life as a mill town around 1841. In 1843, a referendum moved the county seat from nearby Savanna to Mount Carroll. The town was incorporated in 1855 and became a city in 1867; the first mayor was Nathaniel Halderman, a prominent local businessman and co-founder of the mill.

Shimer College was established in Mt. Carroll in 1853, but mounting debts forced a move to Waukegan in 1979 and subsequently to Chicago in 2006. The campus now is home to several organizations, most notably the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies.

Geography
Mount Carroll is located slightly northwest of the center of Carroll County at 42.09556°N, -89.97694°W (42.095473, -89.977042). U.S. Route 52 passes through the southern part of the city, leading east 7 mi to Lanark and west 10 mi to Savanna on the Mississippi River.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Mount Carroll has a total area of 2 sqmi, all land.

Climate
Mt. Carroll has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfa), with cold winters, hot summers, and four seasons. Annual precipitation is about 40 inches.

Due to its elevation and northwesterly location, Mount Carroll is subject to unusually cold winter weather. From 1930 to 1999, Mount Carroll held the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Illinois, -35 F, recorded on January 22, 1930. The record was beaten by Congerville in 1999, by one degree Fahrenheit. 20 years later, on January 31, 2019 during an extreme cold snap, Mount Carroll regained the title of coldest city in Illinois when a new Illinois state record low temperature of -38 F was officially recorded.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,479 people, 667 households, and 403 families residing in the city. The population density was 738.39 PD/sqmi. There were 812 housing units at an average density of 405.39 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.34% African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.84% of the population.

There were 667 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.43% were married couples living together, 12.14% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.58% were non-families. 36.13% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.09% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.12.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,821, and the median income for a family was $62,788. Males had a median income of $42,396 versus $30,387 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,966. About 6% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Mount Carroll enjoys a remarkable concentration of historically and architecturally significant structures. The bulk of the town's downtown and older residential area are included in the Mount Carroll Historic District, which encompasses 118 acre and was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Mount Carroll is also home to the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies, located on the historic former Shimer College campus near the south edge of town.

The Timber Lake Playhouse, the oldest semiprofessional summer stock theater company in Illinois, is located 4 mi southeast of Mount Carroll. The Mount Carroll post office contains an oil on canvas mural, Rural Scene - Wakarusa Valley, painted by Irene Bianucci in 1941. Federally commissioned murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department.

Transportation

 * [[Image:US 52.svg|25px]][[Image:Illinois 64.svg|25px]] U.S. Route 52 and Illinois Route 64 (concurrent with US 52), east towards Lanark, west towards Savanna and the Mississippi River
 * [[Image:Illinois 40.svg|25px]] Illinois Route 40, south towards Chadwick, Milledgeville and Sterling-Rock Falls
 * [[Image:Illinois 78.svg|25px]] Illinois Route 78, north towards Stockton, south towards Morrison

Notable people

 * Neva Burright, Illinois harness racing driver and first woman to win a Grand Circuit race
 * Samuel James Campbell, banker and philanthropist; born in Mount Carroll
 * John L. Griffith, college coach, first commissioner of the Big Ten Conference
 * Felix A. Kremer, Wisconsin State Assemblyman; born in Mount Carroll
 * Howard Kyle (née Vandergrift), noted actor, Union School class of 1879 valedictorian
 * Suzanna W. Miles, archaeologist, anthropologist, ethnohistorian and Mayanist; born in Mount Carroll
 * Ward Miller, outfielder for five Major League Baseball teams; born in Mount Carroll.
 * James Shaw, Illinois state representative, lawyer, judge, and geologist; practices law in Mount Carroll
 * Neta Snook, pioneer female aviator and aviation instructor
 * Emmert L. Wingert, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice; born in Mount Carroll

title: Mount Carroll, Illinois


text:
Savanna, Illinois

Savanna is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,783 at the 2020 census. Savanna is located along the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Plum River.

History
The region was once part of the vast hunting grounds of different native American tribes, including the Sauk. Following the Treaty of St. Louis (1804) and a number of additional treaties, land in Illinois along the Eastern bank of the Mississippi River was opened to settlement by farmers. Towns such as Savanna grew their commerce by using the river for efficient transport. Savanna's earliest settlers experienced some repercussions during the Black Hawk War in 1832.

The downtown area has revived since the mid-1990s closing of the army depot with the addition of new ornamental lighting to complement the late 19th century buildings. The city is trying to draw more shops to the main street in hopes of becoming more of a weekend destination, like nearby Galena. Havencrest Castle has also been revived and is a historical art gallery that attracts visitors to the Savanna area.

The Savanna Chamber of Commerce and other community groups sponsor several activities throughout the year that include: the annual Ladies Day Out Luncheon, Savanna Celebrates Independence Day parade and festival, Halloween Parade, the popular Shadfly Festival and a downtown Christmas Walk.

Savanna contains the only stoplight in all of Carroll County.

Geography
Savanna is located at 42.09°N, -90.14°W (42.090069, -90.140050).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Savanna has a total area of 2.71 sqmi, of which 2.62 sqmi (or 96.53%) is land and 0.09 sqmi (or 3.47%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 2,783 people, 1,503 households, and 666 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,026.94 PD/sqmi. There were 1,604 housing units at an average density of 591.88 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.21% White, 2.01% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.52% from other races, and 6.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.09% of the population.

There were 1,503 households, out of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.46% were married couples living together, 6.59% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.69% were non-families. 48.24% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.69% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 1.91.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,067, and the median income for a family was $51,842. Males had a median income of $39,600 versus $14,650 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,187. About 15.0% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Savanna Army Depot
In 1917, the United States Army purchased 13062 acre of land about seven miles (11 km) north of Savanna to construct the Savanna Army Depot. Originally the land was to be used as a test range for munitions produced at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois. In 1921, the mission of the installation was changed to be a depot. From World War II through Vietnam, Savanna Army Depot served as a munitions maintenance and storage facility for traditional, chemical, and nuclear weapons.

With about 2,000 highly trained civilian employees holding Government security clearances working there in the '60s, this base was guarded and protected by the 516th Military Police Company, U.S. Army Materiel Command. Armed with .45 caliber sidearms, 12 gauge pump-action shotguns, state-of-the-art electronic surveillance systems, gas masks, etc. as standard daily issue, these 300 highly educated and very well trained MP's ensured 24/7 safety and security for all concerned. The 516th's primary mission, however, was to operate and defend what was then known as the "J Area" - where the munitions were actually stored and handled by civilian employees. Nothing went in or out of the J Area without MP scrutiny - including employee lunch boxes.

By 1995, the Savanna Army Depot was identified by U.S. Congress as one of the bases that would be closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act or BRAC. On March 18, 2000, the Savanna Army Depot was closed.

The Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) was established in 1997 by an intergovernmental agreement between the Illinois counties of Jo Daviess and Carroll to redevelop the former Savanna Army Depot.

These are some of the many companies that have chosen an area onsite called "Savanna Depot Park" as their home.

 * Area 51 LLC, a grain bin operation
 * Bryer Productions, a photography business
 * Commander’s House at the Savanna Army Depot, owned by A&B Holdings, plans are to make the house a destination for corporate and family retreats
 * Depot Electric Supply
 * Fluidic MicroControls, which is doing research and development on micro turbines
 * Illinois Information Management, which is leasing its space for office use
 * Illinois International Trade Center, operated by the Jo-Carroll Foreign Trade Zone
 * Jeanblanc International Inc, which specializes in advanced environmental technologies for the oil industry
 * Midwest 3PL (Third Party Logistics), a full-service warehousing operation
 * Rescar, a railcar repair company.
 * Riverport Railroad LLC, which services, repairs and stores railcars as well as coupling long lines of rail cars for the BNSF
 * Savanna Stables, which owns former barracks and a barn that SolRWind plans to lease or buy
 * Speer Recycling, a metal recycler

Infrastructure
Going from north to south, the second automobile bridge between Iowa and Illinois is located just north of Savanna, and is part of U.S. Route 52. The bridge leads to Sabula, Iowa, which is across the river from Savanna. Savanna is also served by two major railroads, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Railway Company and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). These rail lines were formerly operated by the Burlington Route and the Milwaukee Road respectively. Savanna also has a small airport, the Tri-Township Airport (KSFY).

Savanna is protected by the Savanna Police, Fire Department and Ambulance Service. All three organizations maintain stations on Chicago Avenue. The three organizations were located in the same building (a throwback to when the fire department was responsible for the ambulance) but the original building only houses the fire department and one of the backup centers for Carroll County 911 dispatch. Savanna formerly had its own hospital, but this has since been converted to an assisted living facility, Pinnacle Place. All ambulance patients are transported to Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Iowa or other Illinois hospitals. The Savanna Ambulance is one of two in the county to have paramedic certified members (a distinction shared with the Mount Carroll Volunteer Ambulance.)

Notable people
Savanna has produced many notable natives. These include Helen Scott Hay, an American Red Cross nurse during World War I, "America's Waltz King" Wayne King, Hollywood orchestrator Edward B. Powell, professional wrestler Tommy Treichel, Billy Zoom (Tyson Kindell) founding member and original guitarist of the punk band X, MLB player Pete Lister, and former NASA astronaut Dale Gardner.

title: Savanna, Illinois


text:
Shannon, Illinois

Shannon is a village in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 801 at the 2020 census, up from 757 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Shannon is located at 42.15194°N, -89.74028°W (42.152039, -89.740211).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Shannon has a total area of 0.48 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 801 people, 326 households, and 212 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,661.83 PD/sqmi. There were 367 housing units at an average density of 761.41 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.01% White, 1.12% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 3.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.74% of the population.

There were 326 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.13% were married couples living together, 3.37% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.97% were non-families. 32.82% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.55% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 2.29.

The village's age distribution consisted of 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 21% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $52,500, and the median income for a family was $67,500. Males had a median income of $41,776 versus $30,893 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,005. About 4.7% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
Shannon is home to three churches, Shannon Baptist, St. Wendelin's Catholic and Bethel United Methodist.

Notable person

 * Alfred Babb (1858-1933), farmer, businessman, politician, lived in Shannon; he served as postmaster for Shannon.

title: Shannon, Illinois


text:
Thomson, Illinois

Thomson is a village along Illinois Route 84 near the Mississippi River in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 590 at the 2010 census, up from 559 at the 2000 census. Just north of the village is the United States Penitentiary, Thomson, a mostly-unused former state prison, purchased by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2012. Currently USP Thomson houses over 100 low-security inmates as it remodels to federal maximum-security standards.

Thomson is known for wonderful watermelons, and it has the nickname "Melon Capital of the World."

Geography
Thomson is located at 41.96028°N, -90.10306°W (41.960168, -90.103152), about a mile (kilometer and a half) east of the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois, 9 mi northeast of Clinton, Iowa, 38 mi northeast of Moline, Illinois in the Quad Cities, and 120 mi west of Chicago.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Thomson has a total area of 2.22 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,610 people, 190 households, and 127 families residing in the village. The population density was 725.55 PD/sqmi. There were 263 housing units at an average density of 118.52 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 58.45% White, 36.65% African American, 2.11% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.55% of the population.

There were 190 households, out of which 13.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.63% were married couples living together, 14.21% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.16% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.74% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 1.94.

The village's age distribution consisted of 12.2% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 28.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $51,071, and the median income for a family was $62,031. Males had a median income of $27,330 versus $25,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,156. About 4.7% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.1% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Prison
The United States Penitentiary, Thomson (formerly Thomson Correctional Center) was opened in 2001, but as of 2009 has never had a prisoner in its main, 1600-bed maximum-security unit; the only prison population has been in the 200-bed minimum-security unit, which was populated in 2006 and averages about 150 prisoners. The minimum security unit has an annual budget of $7 million. State budget constraints, as well as labor union opposition to closing other state prisons, prevented the maximum-security prison from opening.

In 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed closing the state prison in Pontiac, Illinois and opening the Thomson maximum-security unit instead. However, Blagojevich was subsequently arrested on December 9, 2008, and removed from office. His replacement, Governor Pat Quinn cancelled plans to close the Pontiac prison in March 2009, leaving Thomson unused.

In 2009 the United States government announced that prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp would be moved to the prison in Thomson. CNN stated that before the decision was announced, many people in the town wanted the Guantanamo prisoners to be housed there so the town could get economic benefits.

On December 15, 2009, President Barack Obama ordered the federal government to proceed with acquisition of the underutilized state prison in Thomson to be the new home for a limited number of terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The facility was also used as a Bureau of Prisons facility to house other federal inmates. In response to the 2009 presidential order, the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents 13,000 Illinois prison staff, argued that rather than turn the maximum-security unit over to the Federal government, it should be used to relieve overcrowding in other Illinois prisons. AFSCME claims that the other facilities were designed for 32,000 prisoners, but currently house 45,000. Subsequent Congressional banning of federal expenditures for imprisoning in the United States of terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, stopped the Obama plans regarding those terror suspects, even though the federal government announced on October 2, 2012, that the acquisition of Thomson is going forward.

title: Thomson, Illinois


text:
Arenzville, Illinois

Arenzville is a village in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 367 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Arenzville has a total area of 0.77 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 367 people, 151 households, and 107 families residing in the village. The population density was 477.86 PD/sqmi. There were 174 housing units at an average density of 226.56 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.28% White, 0.27% African American, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 3.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.54% of the population.

There were 151 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.91% were married couples living together, 3.31% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.14% were non-families. 23.84% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.28% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 2.65.

The village's age distribution consisted of 30.3% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $81,250, and the median income for a family was $86,875. Males had a median income of $51,750 versus $33,214 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,825. About 1.9% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Arenzville, Illinois


text:
Ashland, Illinois

Ashland is a village in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,218 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Ashland has a total area of 0.75 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,218 people, 539 households, and 381 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,628.34 PD/sqmi. There were 571 housing units at an average density of 763.37 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.75% White, 0.74% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 3.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 539 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.97% were married couples living together, 21.89% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.31% were non-families. 26.72% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.91% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 2.36.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $60,104, and the median income for a family was $67,917. Males had a median income of $46,310 versus $36,467 for females. The per capita income for the village was $33,764. About 3.7% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ashland, Illinois