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Pleasant Hill, Illinois

Pleasant Hill is a village in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 966 at the 2010 census.

Pleasant Hill is the site of the annual Pike County Fair, as well as the location of the Bi-State Annual Demolition Derby, which was previously held at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri.

The village also happens to have an annual Fourth of July celebration which attracts many throughout the county. The fireworks display can be seen by many surrounding towns.

Geography
Pleasant Hill is located at 39.44333°N, -90.87306°W (39.443315, -90.873132).

According to the 2010 census, Pleasant Hill has a total area of 0.805 sqmi, of which 0.78 sqmi (or 96.89%) is land and 0.025 sqmi (or 3.11%) is water.

Demographics
Per the 2010 US Census, Pleasant Hill had 966 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 949 White, 3 Black, 1 some other race, & 1 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 12 people.

There were 406 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 32.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

The village population was spread out, with 76.1% over the age of 18 and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. The gender ratio was 48.8% male & 51.2% female. Among 406 occupied households, 79.1% were owner-occupied & 20.9% were renter-occupied.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,047 people, 442 households, and 288 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,372.8 PD/sqmi. There were 483 housing units at an average density of 633.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.66% White, 0.57% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 442 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,156, and the median income for a family was $31,029. Males had a median income of $24,583 versus $16,534 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,682. About 10.8% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Pleasant Hill has two schools: an elementary school for Grades Kindergarten - 8 and a High School for Grades 9 - 12.

title: Pleasant Hill, Illinois


text:
Time, Illinois

Time is a village in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 29 at the 2000 census.

Culture
In the past, Time was a popular tourist location in Illinois during the annual "Fall Color Tour" and "Ice Cream Social" celebrations, centered on the historic Band Stand in Time Square. Time had a thriving local tourist economy during these events under the supervision of former mayor Richard Perry.

Science writer Rebecca Boyle visited the village for her 2018 essay "Heartland Driving is Good for the Soul." She published with it a picture of a road sign pointing to Time. She mentioned visiting its bandstand and thinking "about why mid-19th-century Americans would name a town Time..."

Public architecture
The Time band stand is (2012) a classic example of a public park gazebo.

Geography
Time is located at 39.56111°N, -90.72306°W (39.561160, -90.722947).

According to the 2010 census, Time has a total area of 0.44 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 29 people, 13 households, and 7 families residing in the village. The population density was 66.5 PD/sqmi. There were 14 housing units at an average density of 32.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 13 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 10.3% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $14,375, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,253. There were no families and 5.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

History
Time is a village in the Midwestern United States, in the West Central region of Illinois. It was established as a village in 1857 in Hardin Township, which was then located in Pike County, Illinois. The slogan for the village, created in 1910, is "Time marches on 1857-2007." It thrived during the 20th century but later met a decline. For an extended period of time, the Dyer family was very prominent. This family is the ancestors of the Pittsfield resident Richard Dyer.

When the censuses began in 1880, there were roughly 120 members of the community. There were also 4 stores, 2 wagons, a blacksmith shop, and a flouring mill. The popularity of the community has slowly declined and in the 2010 census, there were only 22 community members. They reside under a village president. The current village president is Joe Chiatello.

The town was a religious outlet for members of the surrounding community. It originally contained a Methodist and Christian church. This was later reduced to the current Time community church under the leadership of pastor Musgrove.

One of the prized possessions of the township is the bandstand which is located on the square next to the shelter house. The bandstand was established around the years of 1906 and 1907. This housed the concerts of the brass band that was famous around the county in the 19th and 20th century. It also had a string band in 1867. Time was also known for its revolutionary invention of the granitoid sidewalk.

As for the schooling, there was a two room brick schoolhouse. This school still resides on the east side of the village and is no longer in use. It has been vacant since 1950. It is just west of the cemetery. The village is also known for its croquet course. It was found in the square, alongside the bandstand. This sport was available to the residents until 1910.

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

title: Time, Illinois


text:
Valley City, Illinois

Valley City is a village in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14 at the 2020 census, making Valley City the smallest incorporated place in Illinois in terms of population. As of 2024, the population is 13. In late December 2015 and early January 2016 the village flooded, leaving many roads underwater.

Geography
Valley City is located at 39.70611°N, -90.65361°W (39.705990, −90.653656).

According to the 2010 census, Valley City has a total area of 0.212 sqmi, of which 0.2 sqmi (or 94.34%) is land and 0.012 sqmi (or 5.66%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 14 people, 4 households, and 3 families in the village. The population density was 71.5 PD/sqmi. There were 7 housing units at an average density of 35.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White. Of the 4 households 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.0% were married couples living together, and 25.0% were non-families. 25.0% of households were one person and 25.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.50 and the average family size was 4.00.

The age distribution was 14.3% under the age of 18, 35.7% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.4 males.

The median household income was $41,250 and the median family income was $41,250. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the village was $6,833. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

title: Valley City, Illinois


text:
Eddyville, Illinois

Eddyville is a village in Pope County, Illinois, United States. The population was 153 at the 2000 census. Two designated wilderness areas, the Burden Falls Wilderness and the Lusk Creek Wilderness, are nearby.

History
Eddyville was laid out in 1866, and named for Edward Fulghum, who owned the land where the village is located. A post office has been in operation at Eddyville since 1869. Eddyville was incorporated as a village in 1883.

Geography
Eddyville is located at 37.50028°N, -88.58694°W (37.500412, -88.587024).

According to the 2010 census, Eddyville has a total area of 0.291 sqmi, of which 0.29 sqmi (or 99.66%) is land and 0.001 sqmi (or 0.34%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 153 people, 65 households, and 41 families residing in the village. The population density was 533.1 PD/sqmi. There were 78 housing units at an average density of 271.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.46% White, 1.31% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.65% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.

There were 65 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% 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 3.05.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $22,083, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,084. About 13.9% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.9% of those 65 or over.

title: Eddyville, Illinois


text:
Golconda, Illinois

Golconda is a city in and the county seat of Pope County, Illinois, United States, located along the Ohio River. The population was 630 at the 2020 census. Most of the city is part of the Golconda Historic District.

History
The city is named after the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Golconda was the first permanent settlement in Pope County in 1798, and a ferry point across the Ohio River that was sometimes called Lusk's Ferry was established around that time. The town was named Sarahsville upon the organization of Pope County in 1816, but changed its name to Golconda on January 24, 1817, after the ancient city of Golkonda in India. In 1840, the Buel House, a single-family home presently-owned by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, was built. Among the many historic buildings built in the latter half of the 19th century is the First Presbyterian Church (built in 1869). It is the oldest continuous Presbyterian congregation in Illinois. The church was organized in 1819.

Trail of Tears
Some 13,000 Cherokees, led by Chief Bear Paw crossed the Ohio River at Golconda by ferry as part of the infamous "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma. Because of the threat of disease, the Native Americans were not allowed to go into any towns or villages along the way; often this meant traveling much farther to go around them. After crossing Tennessee and Kentucky, they arrived at the Ohio River across from Golconda about the 3rd of December 1838. The starving Indians were charged a dollar a head (equal to $0 today) to cross the river on "Carpenter's Ferry", which typically charged twelve cents ($0 today). They were not allowed passage until the ferry had serviced all others wishing to cross and were forced to take shelter under "Mantle Rock", a bluff on the Kentucky side, until "Mr. Carpenter had nothing better to do". Many died huddled together at Mantle Rock waiting to cross. Several Cherokee were also murdered by locals. Many of the Cherokee were rescued and sheltered by the Carpenter family, one of the founding leaders of Golconda. The killers filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Government through the courthouse in Vienna, suing the government for $35 a head (equal to $0 today) to bury the murdered Cherokee.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Golconda has a total area of 0.503 sqmi, of which 0.49 sqmi (or 97.42%) is land and 0.013 sqmi (or 2.58%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 726 people, 330 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,287.0 PD/sqmi. There were 418 housing units at an average density of 741.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.45% White, 0.96% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.55% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 330 households, out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.6% were non-families. 48.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 27.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 29.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,000, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $16,146 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,698. About 18.3% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.1% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * James Lusk Alcorn, (1816–1894), senator and 28th governor of Mississippi
 * John R. Hodge, (1893–1963), military governor of South Korea, commanding general of the U.S. Third Army
 * Mason Ramsey, (born 2006), star of viral video, “Walmart Kid Singing”, and country singer
 * Green B. Raum, (1829–1909), Union general during the Civil War, congressman, and head of the Internal Revenue Service
 * James A. Rose, (1850–1912), Illinois Secretary of State

In literature
In "Walking the Trail", a 1991 book by Jerry Ellis, the author describes his visit to Golconda during his 900-mile walk retracing of the Trail of Tears in reverse.

In the Movies: Tommy Lee Jones in "U.S. Marshalls" mentioned Golconda, among others, when telling Law Enforcement where to set up road blocks along the Ohio River.

title: Golconda, Illinois


text:
Karnak, Illinois

Karnak is a village in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 499 at the 2010 census.

History
A post office called Karnak has been in operation since 1905. The village was named after Karnak, in Egypt.

Geography
Karnak is located at 37.29222°N, -88.975°W (37.292146, -88.974920).

According to the 2010 census, Karnak has a total area of 1.814 sqmi, of which 1.81 sqmi (or 99.78%) is land and 0.004 sqmi (or 0.22%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 619 people, 263 households, and 174 families residing in the village. The population density was 341.4 PD/sqmi. There were 293 housing units at an average density of 161.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.70% White, 5.49% African American, 0.16% Asian, 0.65% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.

There were 263 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% 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 2.90.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,125, and the median income for a family was $33,833. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $16,635 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,346. About 16.3% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Karnak, Illinois


text:
Mound City, Illinois

Mound City is a city and the county seat of Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. It is located along the Ohio River just north of its confluence with the Mississippi River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 588.

History
Mound City was incorporated in 1857 as a union of two cities: Mound City, founded by Major General Moses Marshal Rawlings, and Emporium City, a project of the Emporium Real Estate and Manufacturing Company, a group of Cincinnati and Cairo businessmen. The city took its name from a Native American mound on which guests at General Rawlings' hotel would sleep in summer, as the breezes cooled them and dispersed the mosquitoes.

During the Civil War, Admiral Andrew Hull Foote made Cairo the naval station for the Mississippi River Squadron of over 200 ironclads, timberclads, hospital ships, transports, and other vessels. Since Cairo had no land available for base facilities, the navy yard repair shop machinery was afloat aboard wharf-boats, old steamers, tugs, flat-boats, and rafts. The naval station was moved upstream in 1862 when 10 acre of land was purchased in Mound City. The Mound City Naval Station included a shipyard with marine ways, a foundry, marine barracks, supply offices, and a hospital; but many repair facilities remained afloat because the Mound City land was frequently inundated by flood waters.

USS Cairo was built in 1861 by James Eads and Co. of Mound City, under contract to the War Department. She was commissioned in January 1862 as part of the Mississippi River Squadron, U.S. Navy Lieutenant James M. Prichett in command. She was a City-class ironclad gunboat constructed for the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was the lead ship of the City-class gunboats, sometimes also called the Cairo class, and was named for Cairo, Illinois. On December 12, 1862 just north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the USS Cairo became the first ship sunk by electrically detonated torpedoes during its mission to destroy Confederate batteries and clear the Yazoo River of underwater mines.

In 2017, Mound City elected Allison Madison, the city's first African-American and first female mayor.

Geography
Mound City is located at 37.08556°N, -89.16306°W (37.085624, -89.163054).

According to the 2010 census, Mound City has a total area of 0.729 sqmi, of which 0.67 sqmi (or 91.91%) is land and 0.059 sqmi (or 8.09%) is water.

The majority of the Native American mounds for which the city was named have been destroyed by development and farming.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 588 people and 270 households. The racial makeup of the city was 44.39% White, 53.4% African American, a single Asian, three individuals from other races, and eight individuals from two or more races. There were nine people who were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 692 people, 279 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was 973.5 PD/sqmi. There were 319 housing units at an average density of 448.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 49.57% White, 49.57% African American, 0.14% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 279 households, out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.5% were married couples living together, 30.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.5% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,607, and the median income for a family was $22,143. Males had a median income of $35,469 versus $15,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,020. About 35.5% of families and 39.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.5% of those under age 18 and 26.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Charlie Hoover, catcher for the Kansas City Cowboys
 * Katherine D. Tillman, writer

National Register of Historic Places

 * Mound City Civil War Naval Hospital
 * Mound City National Cemetery

title: Mound City, Illinois


text:
Mounds, Illinois

Mounds is a city in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 661 in the 2020 census.

Geography
Mounds is located at 37.11472°N, -89.19917°W (37.114838, -89.199030).

According to the 2010 census, Mounds has a total area of 1.219 sqmi, of which 1.21 sqmi (or 99.26%) is land and 0.009 sqmi (or 0.74%) is water.

History
The town was named for the prehistoric monumental earthwork mounds in the area.

2020 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 1,117 people, 407 households, and 264 families residing in the city. The population density was 918.9 PD/sqmi. There were 504 housing units at an average density of 414.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 36.53% White, 60.61% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 407 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 24.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% 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 3.33.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,727, and the median income for a family was $20,125. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,035. About 38.1% of families and 42.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 59.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Meridian CUSD 101 is located between Mounds and Mound City east of I-57. Century School District 100 is located on Shawnee College Road between Shawnee College and I-57 near Ullin. Both schools serve grades K-12 and have competitive basketball, baseball, and softball programs.

Notable people

 * Ivory "Deek" Watson, an original member of the singing group The Ink Spots, was born in Mounds.
 * Eric Hargan, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services

title: Mounds, Illinois


text:
New Grand Chain, Illinois

Grand Chain is a village in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 190 at the 2010 census. The village's official name changed from "Grand Chain" to "New Grand Chain" in the 1970s, but its residents continue to refer to it as "Grand Chain."

Geography
Grand Chain is located at 37.25361°N, -89.02028°W (37.253578, -89.020361).

According to the 2010 census, Grand Chain has a total area of 1.055 sqmi, of which 1.04 sqmi (or 98.58%) is land and 0.015 sqmi (or 1.42%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 233 people, 99 households, and 63 families residing in the village. The population density was 220.2 PD/sqmi. There were 121 housing units at an average density of 114.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 90.99% White and 9.01% African American.

There were 99 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% 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 3.03.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $29,688, and the median income for a family was $36,500. Males had a median income of $38,750 versus $14,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,617. About 21.7% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 15.0% of those 65 or over.

Notable people

 * George W. Bristow, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, was born in Grand Chain.
 * Laura Jacinta Rittenhouse (1841–1911), temperance worker, author, poet, orphanage manager, clubwoman

title: New Grand Chain, Illinois


text:
Olmsted, Illinois

Olmsted is a village in Pulaski County, Illinois, along the Ohio River. The population was 299 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Olmsted is located at 37.18083°N, -89.08639°W (37.180733, -89.086431).

According to the 2010 census, Olmsted has a total area of 3.496 sqmi, of which 3.37 sqmi (or 96.4%) is land and 0.126 sqmi (or 3.6%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 333 people, 139 households, and 85 families residing in the village. The population density was 178.0 PD/sqmi. There were 173 housing units at an average density of 103.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 80.94% White, 18.06% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.67% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 139 households, out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $19,833, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,615. About 16.9% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 16.9% of those 65 or over.

title: Olmsted, Illinois


text:
Pulaski, Illinois

Pulaski is a village in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 235 at the 2010 census. The village is named in honor of Polish Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski.

History
Pulaski was founded in 1852 as a construction camp along the Illinois Central Railroad. A post office was established in 1856. The village was initially known as "Camp Pulaski," but the "Camp" was dropped from the name in 1872. Pulaski incorporated in 1898.

Geography
Pulaski is located at 37.21667°N, -89.20611°W (37.216751, -89.206127). The village lies in the Cache River basin north of Cairo. It straddles Old U.S. Highway 51 and is west of Interstate 57. Pulaski is west of the Ohio River.

According to the 2010 census, Pulaski has a total area of 1.316 sqmi, of which 1.31 sqmi (or 99.54%) is land and 0.006 sqmi (or 0.46%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 274 people, 116 households, and 67 families residing in the village. The population density was 214.9 PD/sqmi. There were 135 housing units at an average density of 105.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 28.10% White, 70.80% African American, and 1.09% from two or more races.

There were 116 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.8% were married couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 67.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $16,786, and the median income for a family was $28,250. Males had a median income of $29,444 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,946. About 26.5% of families and 32.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 29.8% of those 65 or over.

title: Pulaski, Illinois


text:
Ullin, Illinois

Ullin is a village in Pulaski County, Illinois, United States. The population was 466 at the 2020 census.

History
Ullin was established as a site along the Illinois Central Railroad in the mid-1850s. Some sources suggest it was named for a Gaelic folk hero who frequently appears in the works of the poet Ossian. Other sources suggest it was named for its first postmaster, Samuel Ulen. A post office was established in 1856, and the village was platted the following year. Ullin incorporated in 1900.

Geography
Ullin is located at 37.27778°N, -89.18167°W (37.277861, -89.181533). The village is situated along the Cache River north of Cairo. The Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge lies to the east of Ullin. Interstate 57 passes along the village's eastern border.

According to the 2010 census, Ullin has a total area of 2.862 sqmi, of which 2.81 sqmi (or 98.18%) is land and 0.052 sqmi (or 1.82%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 779 people, 247 households, and 145 families residing in the village. The population density was 272.1 PD/sqmi. There were 273 housing units at an average density of 95.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 57.25% White, 31.84% African American, 7.57% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.91% of the population.

There were 247 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 27.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $20,000, and the median income for a family was $31,979. Males had a median income of $29,049 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,789. About 9.8% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 25.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ullin, Illinois


text:
Granville, Illinois

Granville is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,427 at the 2010 census, up from 1,414 in 2000, making it the largest community in Putnam County. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The village of Granville is named after Granville, Massachusetts. The founding of the St. Paul Mine in neighboring Mark in 1903 and the Berry Mine in nearby Standard in 1905 caused Granville to expand from a farming center to become a commercial center in a coal mining region.

On April 20, 2004, Granville was struck by a series of tornadoes, which destroyed the local primary school, the high school baseball diamond, and numerous houses.

Geography
Granville is located at 41.2625°N, -89.22806°W (41.262480, -89.227949).

According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 0.97 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,414 people, 591 households, and 395 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,476.8 PD/sqmi. There were 626 housing units at an average density of 653.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.88% White, 0.42% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.39% of the population.

There were 591 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,548, and the median income for a family was $55,093. Males had a median income of $41,932 versus $21,364 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,074. About 3.6% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Edward K. Hall (1870–1932), football coach
 * Red Ruffing (1905–1986), professional baseball
 * Charles T. Wardlaw (1858–1928), politician

title: Granville, Illinois


text:
Hennepin, Illinois

Hennepin is a village located on the Illinois River in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 757 in 2010, an increase of 50 since the 2000 census. It is the county seat and second largest village in Putnam County.

Hennepin is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The Village of Hennepin was named for the explorer, Father Louis Hennepin, O. F. M.

The Putnam County Courthouse, in Hennepin, was built in 1837, and is the oldest county courthouse in Illinois still serving its original purpose. Abraham Lincoln visited the courthouse, including when he campaigned for a Congressional seat in September 1845. The Putnam County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 707 people, 304 households, and 206 families residing in the village. The population density was 135.4 PD/sqmi. There were 334 housing units at an average density of 64.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.17% White, 1.13% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.57% from other races, and 0.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.82% of the population.

There were 304 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,827, and the median income for a family was $56,111. Males had a median income of $48,500 versus $19,231 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,981. About 2.6% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Industry
Hennepin's location on the Illinois River, along with its proximity to a Class I railroad (Norfolk Southern Railway), and multiple inter and intrastate highway routes (Interstate 80, Interstate 39, Illinois Route 180, Illinois Route 89, Illinois Route 71, Illinois Route 26, and Illinois Route 6) has, historically, made it a transportation hub attracting a variety of both small businesses and large industries.

J&L Steel, a cold roll steel mill built by Jones and Laughlin Steel Company on Hennepin's northern boundary, began operations in 1967 and employed 600 workers at height of production. The mill was later acquired by Ling-Temco-Vought, at which time it became known as LTV Steel. Ling-Temco-Vought's bankruptcy led to acquisition of the mill by International Steel Group (ISG). As a result of additional acquisitions followed by a merger, Putnam County's largest employer was absorbed by ArcelorMittal. Long and arduous union lobbying and protests ultimately proved futile and ArcelorMittal ceased production at the mill in March 2009. The mill's equipment was dismantled, sold, or shipped and on June 22, 2017, the vast plant was imploded. As of 2020, the 800 acres once occupied by the steel mill remain mostly vacant, though infrastructure has been retained in anticipation that another industry might one day purchase and redevelop the property.

Hennepin Power Station, a coal-fired power plant near Donnelley Wildlife Area on the western edge of town, was retired November 1, 2019.

There are also Cargill, ADM, and CGB elevators throughout the area.

Marquis Energy opened a 100 million gallon/year ICM/Fagen ethanol plant just north of town in April 2008.

Landmarks
Edward Pulsifer House, museum and headquarters of the Putnam County Historical Society

Putnam County Historical Society's Agriculture Museum

Putnam County Courthouse (Illinois)

The Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, a privately maintained wetland, is located two miles south of Hennepin.

Notable people

 * Albert W. Durley, Wisconsin State Assemblyman and lawyer; was born near Hennepin.
 * John Wesley Powell, Civil War era Army second lieutenant, teacher and superintendent of Hennepin schools.

title: Hennepin, Illinois


text:
Magnolia, Illinois

Magnolia is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 260 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Magnolia is the oldest village in Putnam County, originally settled in the 1830s by William Hawes. Said to once have over 2,000 residents, the village now has approximately 300 citizens. Magnolia is most famous for its mushroom festival, which later moved to a larger city. This made room for the Magnolia days events that take place in August every year.

The high school building was constructed in 1912 and later demolished in 2006. In 1964, Magnolia joined the newly created school district, Putnam County, which consolidated the school districts of Magnolia Swaney (communities of Magnolia and McNabb), Hennepin (town of Hennepin), and Hopkins Township High School (communities of Granville, Standard, and Mark).

At one time, the village had a bank, jail, grocery store and much more. The town is now occupied by a restaurant, tavern, consignment shop and several churches. Another long-standing social institution is the Magnolia Masonic Lodge. Magnolia has a long heritage of military tradition and strong following through the American Legion.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 0.33 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 279 people, 103 households, and 73 families residing in the village. The population density was 936.9 PD/sqmi. There were 109 housing units at an average density of 366.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.70% White, 2.51% African American, 1.08% Native American and 0.72% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 103 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $38,125, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $25,694 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,909. About 2.9% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 16.3% of those 65 or over.

Two families make up the majority of the villages populace. The Smith family makes up approximately 50% of the population, while the Ringenberg family makes up approximately 10% of the population. These percentages are expected to grow in upcoming years due to the larger than average harvest this year.

Economy
Magnolia is a predominantly agricultural community with no industry; the majority of employees work for local farmers, are union contractors, or travel to nearby towns for employment.

Notable people

 * Mildred Amanda Baker Bonham (1840-1907), traveler, journalist
 * Charles E. Mills (1867-1929), businessman
 * Victor Cicero Kays (1882–1966) American educator, coach and the founding president of Arkansas State University

title: Magnolia, Illinois


text:
Mark, Illinois

Mark is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 555 at the 2010 census, up from 491 in 2000. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. It maintains close ties to neighboring Granville, Illinois.

History
The St. Paul Coal Company opened a shaft and founded the village in 1903. Superintendent Jame Cherry was in charge. The mine was sold to Prairie State Coal in 1928 and remained in operation until 1940.

Geography
Mark is located at 41.26559°N, -89.24852°W.

According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 1.13 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 491 people, 192 households, and 139 families residing in the village. The population density was 604.9 PD/sqmi. There were 209 housing units at an average density of 257.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.57% White and 1.43% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.68% of the population.

There were 192 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.08. In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $45,208, and the median income for a family was $50,417. Males had a median income of $39,000 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,912. About 6.9% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Mark, Illinois


text:
McNabb, Illinois

McNabb is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 285 at the 2010 census, down from 310 in 2000. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. Just outside of McNabb is the Clear Creek Meeting House, one of the few surviving western Quaker meeting houses. The Meeting House once hosted local abolitionists, such as Benjamin Lundy.

In 1900, the Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa Railroad wanted a station in Magnolia township. Hon. J. M. McNabb, at that time county judge, promoted it and the resulting station and town were named after him. Today the Toluca, Marquette & Northern Railroad also runs through the town.

Geography
McNabb is located at 41.17639°N, -89.20861°W (41.176355, -89.208522).

According to the 2010 census, McNabb has a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 310 people, 125 households, and 91 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,555.4 PD/sqmi. There were 129 housing units at an average density of 647.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 125 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $51,389, and the median income for a family was $55,357. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $22,143 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,374. About 5.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: McNabb, Illinois


text:
Standard, Illinois

Standard is a village in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. The population was 220 at the 2010 census, down from 256 in 2000. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The B.F. Berry Coal Company, a division of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad, hired John Cherry in 1905 to sink a new mine. They set up a new railroad between Granville and Oglesby to service the shaft. The village was called Berry until 1908 when it was changed to Taft. Then in 1914 it was renamed Standard because of confusion with another town named Taft. Initially the town was just two large boarding houses for the miners, but later the company built houses for those with families. The mine closed in 1924.

Geography
Standard is located at 41.25639°N, -89.17889°W (41.256450, -89.179014).

According to the 2010 census, Standard has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 256 people, 115 households, and 67 families residing in the village. The population density was 453.2 PD/sqmi. There were 119 housing units at an average density of 210.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.44% White, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.

There were 115 households, out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $35,972, and the median income for a family was $41,875. Males had a median income of $35,179 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,453. About 5.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 5.4% of those 65 or over.

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

Notable person

 * Ernani Bernardi, big-band musician and member of the City Council of Los Angeles; born in Standard

title: Standard, Illinois


text:
Baldwin, Illinois

Baldwin is a town in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 373 at the 2010 census. Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is nearby.

Geography
Baldwin is located at 38.18377°N, -89.84466°W.

According to the 2010 census, Baldwin has a total area of 0.67 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 373 people, 146 households, and 101 families residing in the village. The population density was 533 PD/sqmi. There were 161 housing units at an average density of 230 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 97.9% White, 0.0% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% some other race, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 146 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the village was $32,083, and the median income for a family was $31,528. Males had a median income of $22,096 versus $25,147 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,009. About 8.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Baldwin, Illinois


text:
Chester, Illinois

Chester is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, Illinois, United States, on a bluff above the Mississippi River. The population was 7,640 at the 2020 census. It lies 61 mi south of St. Louis, Missouri.

Founding
Samuel Smith is said to be the town's founder because he built the first home in Chester, established a ferry system, and began the construction of a mill in 1829. The town was named after Chester, England, the city from where his wife Jane Smith was from. The first business in Chester was a general store that opened in 1830 along with a castor oil press established by R. B. Servant, who furnished farmers with seed and growing methods to later buy the beans they produced for oil extraction. This was a flourishing business until the petroleum industry made it obsolete. The first wedding in the town of Chester was held on February 4, 1834. Content Walker, the bride and Amzi Andrews, the groom held their wedding in a 16 feet square log cabin.

Cole Milling Company
The H.C. Cole Milling Company was founded by Nathan Cole in 1839. It started out as a small sawmill with a corn-grinding attachment which encouraged the townspeople to plant grains, and in a short time the first Cole flour mill was built. The mill still exists in Chester but it is now operated by Ardent Mills. Nathan Cole also brought the first electric generator to Chester and used the surplus of power from the mill to operate street lights. This was a modern convenience that was not even available in Chicago at that point. The generator is now on display at the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

International Shoe Company
In 1916, Messrs. Bronson, Albert Gilster, Frank Wolff and John Herschbach developed the site for the International Shoe Company in the center of town where the Gilster Mary Lee Corp. is today. In 1922, a second building was built, and the company had more than 1000 employees and was producing thousands of pairs of children's shoes. During World War Two, the factory operated primarily by women produced military/combat boots for the troops in service. In 1953, payroll reached over $2,000,000. The factory was closed by the company in the early 1960s after 45 years of operation.

Prim Hosiery Mill
In 1925, the Prim Hosiery Mill was a knitting mill that began operations under Joshua Richman with 50 employees. The mill grew to employ more than 275 people and produced over 300,000 pairs of stockings a month with annual payroll exceeding $700,000. The knitting mill continued operations through the 1960s. The building still stands as one of the Gilster Mary Lee Corp. factory buildings.

Chester Pool
Construction began for the Chester Pool in 1939 as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) public works program to create employment during the Great Depression. It was completed in 1941, although due to the delivery of the filtration system being delayed it did not officially open until May 30, 1942, under the management of William Weber. A total of 250 swimmers visited the swimming pool in the first week and were charged 15 cents for weekdays and 25 cents for weekends.

Due to leaks and other deterioration issues, as well as high repair costs, the pool has been closed since 2014.

Home of "Popeye"
Chester is the "Home of Popeye," where a 6 ft, 900 lb bronze statue of Popeye the Sailor Man stands in the Elzie C. Segar Memorial Park, which honors Popeye's creator, Elzie Segar. The park is located next to the Chester Bridge. Several of Segar's characters were created from his experiences with people of Chester. Chester's big event is its annual Popeye Picnic and parade, held the weekend after Labor Day. Popeye fans travel from all over the United States and the world to partake in the weekend activities. Most of the events and entertainment are free and all are family friendly.

New statues honoring the other Thimble Theater characters are added each year.

Popeye's Picnic and Parade
Popeye's Picnic is an event held in Chester the Friday, Saturday and Sunday following Labor Day in the month of September. Popeye's Picnic consists of rides, food stands, music, and fireworks. The Popeye Parade is held on a Saturday morning. Before the parade there is a walk and run for anyone who wants to participate. Medals and trophies are awarded to the top runners and walkers in each age category. A Popeye T-shirt is included with each entry. Many people from different towns participate in this parade. The parade consists of local school bands, band fronts, such as dance teams and cheerleaders, floats from various businesses, fire departments, veterans representing the United States, politicians marching, clowns passing out stickers and candy, and finally horses trail the parade. Many people and businesses help sponsor the picnic and donate money and time.

Parks and historic sites
Part of the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Mississippi River at Chester.

Bridges
Chester is connected to Perry County, Missouri via a river bridge known as the Chester Bridge. The Chester Bridge was first constructed on August 23, 1942, as a toll bridge. Sections of this bridge were destroyed by a storm in July 1944, but it was reopened in August 1946. Tolls ceased to be collected on January 1, 1989.

Media
Chester now has Channel 10 through Cable TV. It broadcasts events, post announcements and upcoming community events, relays emergency notices and much more to the citizens of Chester. Students from the Chester Grade School contribute daily broadcasts from the school.

Chester's newspaper was the Herald Tribune until it ceased publication in 2022. The local radio station is KSGM.

Claims to fame
On April 11, 1842, Charles Dickens, the author of A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations, visited Chester with his wife. Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a pilot on the Mississippi River between 1857 and the Civil War, supposedly on many of his trips stayed at Chester's Cliff House, a fine river hostelry. Twain also mentioned the blue windows of Chester's Cohen Home, visible from the Mississippi, in his book Life on the Mississippi.

The Chester post office contains a federally commissioned mural, Loading the Packet, painted by Fay E. Davis through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department. A former postal employee favored the mural so strongly that he said if the building should catch fire, the mural should be saved rather than the mail.

Chester was the filming location of scenes from the 1967 movie In the Heat of the Night and was only mentioned in the 1993 movie The Fugitive.

Geography
Chester is located at 37.91389°N, -89.82306°W (37.913947, -89.823140).

According to the 2010 census, Chester has a total area of 5.826 sqmi, of which 5.81 sqmi (or 99.73%) is land and 0.016 sqmi (or 0.27%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,400 people, 2,018 households, and 1,283 families residing in the city. The population density was 879.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,229 housing units at an average density of 378.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 94.87% White, 3.59% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 2,018 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,079, and the median income for a family was $49,426. Males had a median income of $36,103 versus $22,239 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,190. About 5.4% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The Illinois Department of Corrections Menard Correctional Center is located in Chester. Prior to the January 11, 2003 commutation of death row sentences, male death row inmates were housed in Menard, Tamms, and Pontiac correctional centers. After that date, only Pontiac continued to host the male death row.

Economy
Large employers include the private label food company Gilster-Mary Lee, Corp., the maximum security Menard Correctional Center, and the maximum security forensics mental health center, Chester Mental Health Center.

Public
Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 consists of two schools, Chester High School and Chester Grade School.

Private
St. John's Lutheran School and St. Mary's Catholic School are Chester's parochial schools.

Religious affiliations
There are eleven churches located in Chester. These churches consist of the New Life First Pentecostal Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church of Chester, Family Worship Center Assembly of God, First Presbyterian Church, First Apostolic Pentecostal Church, First United Methodist Church, Grace Church Ministries, Peace Lutheran Church ELCA, St. John Lutheran Church LCMS, and St. Mary's Help of Christians Roman Catholic Church.

Notable people

 * Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois
 * William Hartzell, U.S. representative
 * Elias Kane, U.S. senator and architect of the Constitution of Illinois
 * Nora Lane, actress
 * Pierre Menard, first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
 * E.C. Segar, creator of Popeye
 * Tom Wham, game designer

title: Chester, Illinois


text:
Coulterville, Illinois

Coulterville is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 945 as of the 2010 census.

History
Coulterville was named for its founder, James B. Coulter.

Geography
Coulterville is located at 38.18417°N, -89.60556°W (38.184172, -89.605496).

According to the 2010 census, Coulterville has a total area of 0.56 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 1,230 people, 514 households, and 360 families in the village. The population density was 2,174.4 PD/sqmi. There were 610 housing units at an average density of 1,078.4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 96.34% White, 1.87% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16%.

Of the 514 households 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.5% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 27.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median household income was $26,776 and the median family income was $30,938. Males had a median income of $31,550 versus $19,113 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,994. About 12.6% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Vincent Birchler, Illinois educator and politician, was born in Coulterville
 * Nick Kahl, second baseman for the Cleveland Naps
 * George Khoury, known for his organization of the Khoury League. George Khoury was born on the summer of 1900. To parents Salem and Lily Khoury who emigrated from the Middle East in 1898. He lives outside of Coulterville and worked at a printer press in town as a young man. Khoury moved to St. Louis and married Dorothy Smith in 1922. After having three sons, the couple wanted a way to keep the boys busy in the summer. In the summer of 1936, the first season of Khoury league was started, the first game was played on Mothers' Day. Khoury League got its start in Missouri, but by 1952 teams started playing in Illinois. In 1958, girls started teams in the league. Over the years the league expanded to soccer, basketball, softball, and bowling. The league also spread to other countries.

title: Coulterville, Illinois


text:
Ellis Grove, Illinois

Ellis Grove is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 328 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Ellis Grove is located at 38.01028°N, -89.90806°W (38.010394, -89.908123).

According to the 2010 census, Ellis Grove has a total area of 0.491 sqmi, of which 0.49 sqmi (or 99.8%) is land and 0.001 sqmi (or 0.2%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 381 people, 145 households, and 102 families residing in the village. The population density was 819.4 PD/sqmi. There were 149 housing units at an average density of 320.4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.21% White, 0.26% Native American, and 0.52% from two or more races.

There were 145 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,250, and the median income for a family was $42,750. Males had a median income of $36,667 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,527. About 5.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ellis Grove, Illinois


text:
Evansville, Illinois

Evansville is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States, on the banks of the Kaskaskia River. The population was 547 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Evansville is located at 38.08972°N, -89.93389°W (38.089613, -89.933976).

According to the 2010 census, Evansville has a total area of 0.817 sqmi, of which 0.79 sqmi (or 96.7%) is land and 0.027 sqmi (or 3.3%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 724 people, 298 households, and 191 families residing in the village. The population density was 976.9 PD/sqmi. There were 317 housing units at an average density of 427.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 98.90% White, 0.41% African American, 0.14% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 298 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,292, and the median income for a family was $41,719. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $20,208 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,194. About 7.0% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government
As of 2021, the town's government is made up of Kenneth Kempfer, President, Board of Trustees; Bethany Wunderlich, Village Clerk; Denise Holmes, Treasurer; Lori Valleroy, Collector; Mike Hanna, Fire Chief; Tia Martel, Librarian; Mark McConachie, Zoning Administrator; and Ed Braun, Superintendent.

Notable person

 * Roger Wolff, pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates

title: Evansville, Illinois


text:
Kaskaskia, Illinois

Kaskaskia is a village in Randolph County, Illinois. Having been inhabited by indigenous peoples, it was settled by France as part of the Illinois Country. It was named for the Kaskaskia people. Its population peaked at about 7,000 in the 18th century, when it was a regional center. During the American Revolutionary War, the town, which by then had become an administrative center for the British Province of Quebec, was taken by the Virginia militia during the Illinois campaign. It was designated as the county seat of Illinois County, Virginia, after which it became part of the Northwest Territory in 1787. Kaskaskia was later named as the capital of the United States' Illinois Territory, created on February 3, 1809. In 1818, when Illinois became the 21st U.S. state, the town briefly served as the state's first capital until 1819, when the capital was moved to more centrally located Vandalia. Most of the town was destroyed in April 1881 by flooding, as the Mississippi River shifted eastward to a new channel, taking over the lower 10 mi of the Kaskaskia River. This resulted from deforestation of the river banks during the 19th century, due to crews taking wood for fuel to feed the steamboat and railroad traffic. The river now passes east rather than west of the town. The state boundary line, however, remained in its original location. A small bridge crosses the old riverbed, now a creek that is sometimes filled with water during flood season.

In the 2020 United States Census the population was 21, making it the third-least populous incorporated community in Illinois behind Valley City (pop. 14) and Florence (pop. 17). Kaskaskia has an Illinois telephone area code (618) and a Missouri ZIP Code (63673). Its roads are maintained by Illinois Department of Transportation, and its few residents vote in Illinois elections. The town was evacuated in the Great Flood of 1993, which covered it with water more than 9 ft deep.

History
The site of Kaskaskia near the Mississippi River was long inhabited by varying Native American indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Kaskaskia, part of the Illiniwek peoples, colonized this area in the 1600s, and lived there at the time of European encounter and traded with the early French colonists. Historically this name was referred to with many spelling variations, as Kasklas, Kaskasky, Cas-caskias, Kasquskias, and Kaskaskias.

During the Beaver Wars, Kaskaskia grew as people sought common defense against Iroquois raids. The numbers swelled to around twenty thousand people by the 1680s. Kaskaskia aligned with the French to aid in defense against the Iroquois. The French also gave them trade goods, which Kaskaskia merchants used to trade with nations too far South or West for French traders to reach. Kaskaskia became heavily involved in the slave trade, capturing and selling people from neighboring nations.

By the 1690s, Kaskaskia was in decline. This was in part due to an epidemic that hit the large town particularly hard. By this time, it had also become harder to obtain sources of wood and bison near Kaskaskia. The Great Peace of Montreal in 1701, which ended the Beaver Wars, also reduced the need for mutual defense.

French settlement
In 1703, French Jesuit missionaries established a mission with the goal of converting the Native Americans to Catholicism. The congregation built its first stone church in 1714. The French also had a fur trading post in the village. Canadien settlers moved in to farm and to exploit the lead mines on the opposite side of the river (now in Missouri). Favorably situated on a peninsula on the east side of the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia became a large settlement center attracting a large proportion of the region's Native American population. It became the capital of Upper Louisiana and the French built Fort de Chartres nearby in 1718. In the same year they imported the first enslaved Africans, shipped from Santo Domingo in the Caribbean, to work as laborers in the lead mines.

In the years of early French settlement, Kaskaskia was a multicultural village, consisting of a few French men and numerous Illinois and other American Indians. In 1707, the population of the community was estimated at 2,200, the majority of them Illinois who lived somewhat apart from the Europeans. Writing of Kaskaskia about 1715, a visitor said that the village consisted of 400 Illinois men, "good people"; two Jesuit missionaries, and "about twenty French voyageurs who have settled there and married Indian women." Of 21 children whose birth and baptism was recorded in Kaskaskia before 1714, 18 had mothers who were Indian and 20 had fathers who were French. One devout Catholic, full-blooded Indian woman disowned her mixed-race son for living "among the savage nations".

Many of the Canadiens and their descendants at Kaskaskia became voyageurs and coureurs des bois, who would explore and exploit the Missouri River country for fur trading. The Canadiens had the goal of trading with all the Prairie tribes, and beyond them, with the Spanish colony in New Mexico. The Spanish intended to keep control of the latter trade. The Canadien goals stimulated the expedition of Claude Charles Du Tisne to establish trade relations with the Plains Indians in 1719.

King Louis XV sent a bell to Kaskaskia in 1741 for its church, one of several constructed there. During the years of French rule, Kaskaskia and the other agricultural settlements in the Illinois Country were critical for supplying Lower Louisiana, especially New Orleans, with wheat and corn, as these staple crops could not be grown in the Gulf climate. Farmers shipped tons of flour south over the years, which helped New Orleans survive.

The French settlers raised Fort Kaskaskia around 1759; the fort stood atop the bluff that overlooked the frontier village.[1] "Fort Kaskaskia" is not technically a "fort", but an earthen redoubt. Frontier settlers throughout Woodland North America often built such redoubts for defense during times of threat from Native Americans.

In 1763, the French ceded the Illinois country, including Kaskaskia and the redoubt, to Great Britain after being defeated in the Seven Years' War (known as the French and Indian War on the North American front). The British did not use the redoubt but from 1766 through 1772, maintained a rotating detachment of around 25 men under a junior officer, from Fort de Chartres. They used the Jesuit compound as their base.

Rather than live under British rule after France ceded the territory east of the river, many French-speaking people from Kaskaskia and other colonial towns moved west of the Mississippi to Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, and other areas. In May 1772, when the British abandoned Fort de Chartres, Kaskaskia continued to survive as a primarily French-speaking village on the Mississippi River frontier.

American settlement
During one of the westernmost military campaigns of the American Revolution, the city fell on July 4, 1778, to George Rogers Clark and his force of 200 men, including Captains Joseph Bowman and Leonard Helm. The parish rang the church bell in celebration, and it has since been called the "liberty bell". The brick church, built in 1843 in the squared-off French style, was later moved to the restored village of Kaskaskia on the west side of the Mississippi.

In 1803, the Kaskaskia people, for whom the town is named, signed a treaty with the United States of America, arranged by future president William Henry Harrison, who was at that time governor of the Indiana territory, and Kaskaskia chief Jean Baptiste Ducoigne. Ducoigne was of mixed descent, noted for being friendly with the United States and being hated by other tribal chiefs. The treaty specifically provides for a house on a lot of "no more than one hundred acres" for Jean Baptiste Ducoigne and that a "suitable sum" of all material and monetary payments to the tribe would be reserved for the chief and his family. This treaty was said to "rightfully represent" not only the Kaskaskia tribe but also the Cahokia, Mitchigamia, and Tamarois, though the signatures for those tribes were not made by chiefs and were marked only with 'X' and a notation of the individual's name, one of which was noted as "Micolas or Nicolas".

In exchange for ceding a tract of land comprising approximately half the area of modern-day Illinois, the Kaskaskia and associated tribes were allotted three hundred fifty acres "near the town of Kaskaskia", as well as the right to relocate to another larger settlement within the ceded territory.

As a center of the regional economy, Kaskaskia served as the capital of Illinois Territory from 1809 until statehood was gained in 1818, and then as the state capital until 1819. The first Illinois newspaper, the Illinois Herald, was published here on June 24, 1814. In 1818 it was the site of the state's first constitutional convention and first legislative session.

The city's peak population was about 7,000, before the capital was moved in 1819 to Vandalia. Although the introduction of steamboats on the Mississippi River stimulated the economies of river towns, in the 19th century, their use also had devastating environmental effects. Deforestation of the river banks followed steamboat crews' regular cutting of trees, which were used to feed the engine boiler fires as fuel to power the steamboats. Through this rapid, man-made erosion, river banks became unstable, resulting in massive amounts of soil to collapse into the flowing water.

In 1832, during the era of Indian removal, the Peoria tribe, speaking for Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Mitchigamia, and Tamarois, signed a second treaty. This treaty was arranged by Superintendent of Indian Affairs William Clark, who was at that same time a figurehead in the implementation of the Indian Removal Act, associated with the Trail of Tears further south. The treaty was signed two months after the end of the Black Hawk War in northwestern Illinois, between the Sauk tribe and the United States. The Sauk disputed the validity of a treaty similar to the Kaskaskia treaty of 1803, arranged by William Henry Harrison in 1804. The Sauk lost the Black Hawk War, resulting in the death of half of the Sauk forces. The Kaskaskia treaty of 1832 relinquished all lands reserved for the tribe in the 1803 treaty with the exception of 350 acres near the town of Kaskaskia, Illinois, reserved to Ellen Ducoigne, a daughter of Jean Baptiste Ducoigne who had married a white man. All other members of all five tribes mentioned in the treaty were relocated to Indian Country in modern-day Kansas.

Effects of the Mississippi River
From St. Louis to the confluence of the Ohio River, the Mississippi became wider and more shallow, resulting in more severe seasonal flooding. In the late 19th century, the town was cut off from the Illinois mainland and mostly destroyed by repeated flooding and a channel change by the Mississippi River. Much of the former property of Kaskaskia and other French colonial towns on the river has been lost. Following the Great Flood of 1844, residents of Kaskaskia relocated the town to the south. The original location of Kaskaskia became an island, surrounded by the Mississippi River. The flood of 1881 destroyed all remnants of the original town and the Mississippi shifted into the channel of the Kaskaskia River, passing east instead of west of the town.

Parts of the town were rebuilt in the new area. As the Mississippi continued to flow through its new bed, earth was deposited so that the village land became physically attached to the west bank of the river, which primarily lies within the boundaries of the state of Missouri. Now a bayou, the old channel is regularly flooded by the river. A small bridge carries traffic from the mainland over the bayou to Kaskaskia and its surrounding farmlands in the floodplain. A levee lines the river to the east. In 1893 the people of the town moved and rebuilt the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Kaskaskia. They also built a shrine in a similar style nearby to house the "liberty bell".

By 1950, only 112 people lived in Kaskaskia. By 1970, the population had fallen to 79, and it continued to decline to 33 in 1980. The town was submerged under nine feet of water by the Great Flood of 1993, which reached the roofs of the buildings. By 2000, with nine residents, Kaskaskia was almost a ghost town, the least populous incorporated community in the state of Illinois.

Geography

Kaskaskia is located at 37.92139°N, -89.91647°W. According to the 2010 census, Kaskaskia has a total area of 0.11 sqmi, all land. However, the village comprises only a small part of Kaskaskia Precinct, which includes all of Randolph County's land west of the Mississippi. Kaskaskia Precinct has a land area of 24.037 sqmi and a 2020 census population of 31 people. In 1993 the Mississippi River almost completely flooded the island.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9 people, 4 households, and 3 families residing in the village. The population density was 83.0 PD/sqmi. There were 5 housing units at an average density of 46.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 7 White, 1 Pacific Islander, 1 from other races. There were 2 Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were four households, none of which had children under the age of 18 living with them. Two were married couples living together, one had a female householder with no husband present, and one was a non-family. One household was made up of individuals, and one had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the village two people were under the age of 18, both girls. There was one person from 18 to 24, one from 25 to 44, two from 45 to 64, and three who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. There were seven females and two males.

Notable people

 * David J. Baker (1792-1869), United States senator
 * David J. Baker Jr. (1834-1899), Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
 * Shadrach Bond (1773-1832), the first Governor of Illinois from 1818-1822.
 * John Duff, outlaw and Revolutionary War soldier; scout and sergeant under George Rogers Clark
 * Thomas Duncan, general during the American Civil War
 * John Edgar, businessman and legislator
 * George Fisher, pioneer, physician, and legislator
 * William Gillis (businessman) (1788–1869), businessman, one of the founders of Kansas City, Missouri
 * John Rice Jones, jurist and politician
 * Samuel Judy, pioneer and legislator
 * Lucien Maxwell, rancher
 * John Willis Menard, the first African American elected to the United States Congress
 * James L. D. Morrison, Mexican War officer, U.S. Representative, gubernatorial candidate
 * John Doyle Lee, Colleague of Brigham Young, leader of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
 * Nance Legins-Costley (1813-1892), first slave freed by Abraham Lincoln in 1841.
 * Thomas Jefferson Vance Owen (1801-1835), served as the first president of the Board of Trustees of the 'Town of Chicago' from 1833-1834. Began living in Kaskaskia in 1809 at age 8.
 * Étienne de Boré (1741-1820), served as the first Mayor of New Orleans from December 20, 1803 to May 26, 1804.

title: Kaskaskia, Illinois


text:
Percy, Illinois

Percy is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 970 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Percy is located at 38.01568°N, -89.61841°W.

According to the 2010 census, Percy has a total area of 0.933 sqmi, of which 0.93 sqmi (or 99.68%) is land and 0.003 sqmi (or 0.32%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 942 people, 387 households, and 250 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,070.6 PD/sqmi. There were 431 housing units at an average density of 489.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 98.94% White, 0.21% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.32% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.23% of the population.

There were 387 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $31,333, and the median income for a family was $35,956. Males had a median income of $28,043 versus $20,385 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,524. About 8.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Percy, Illinois


text:
Prairie du Rocher, Illinois

Prairie du Rocher ("The Rock Prairie" in French) is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. Founded in the French colonial period in the American Midwest, the community is located near bluffs that flank the east side of the Mississippi River along the floodplain often called the "American Bottom". The population was 502 at the 2020 census.

Prairie du Rocher is one of the oldest communities in the 21st century United States that was founded as a French settlement. About four miles to the west, closer to the Mississippi River, is Fort de Chartres, site of a French military fortification and colonial headquarters established in 1720. Some buildings were reconstructed after falling into ruins, and the complex is now a state park and historical site. The fort and town were a center of government and commerce at the time when France claimed a vast territory in North America, New France or La Louisiane, which stretched from present-day Louisiana and the Illinois Country to Canada.

The village was founded in 1722 by French colonists, mostly migrants from Canada.

New France
In 1718, Pierre Dugué de Boisbriand built the first Fort de Chartres. In 1722, St. Thérèse Langlois, a nephew of Boisbriand, founded Prairie du Rocher. The town was built on a tract of land donated by the Royal Indian Company. Boisbriand later became the commandant of the area. The town was strategically located along fertile Mississippi River bottomland. Surpluses from the productive cultivation by habitants later helped supply critical wheat and corn to New Orleans and other lower Louisiana Territory communities.

D'Artaguette, an inspector in the country in the early 18th century, wrote: "This country is one of the most beautiful in all Louisiana. Every kind of grain and vegetables are produced here in the greatest abundance .... they have, also, large numbers of oxen, cows, sheep, etc., upon the prairies. Poultry is abundant, and fish plentiful. So that, in fact, they lack none of the necessaries or conveniences of life."

In 1743 the territorial government granted the Prairie du Rocher Common (land used by all the villagers) to the village; the common was used until 1852. The villagers had plots for cultivation defined in typical French fashion: long narrow lots that reached back from the riverfront through the common. The villagers kept the plots open within the common, and built a fence around it to keep out livestock. A school existed as early as the 1760s; students boarded with local families.

Because habitants did not practice fertilization, the soil became exhausted. In addition, an increase in population meant there was not sufficient land for everyone. Some villagers moved to the west side of the Mississippi and founded Ste. Genevieve about 1750, in present-day Missouri. They quickly created an agricultural community with characteristics similar to Prairie du Rocher.

British rule
Following their victory in the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years' War), the British gained possession of French lands east of the Mississippi, excluding New Orleans. The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763; however, the British did not arrive in force until 1765. To avoid British rule, many of the town's French residents moved across the Mississippi River to towns such as Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis in what was now, via the secret Treaty of Fontainebleau, Spanish Louisiana. Additionally, King George III's Royal Proclamation of 1763 designated all the land west of the Appalachians and east of the Mississippi an Indian Reserve. He tried to prevent settlers entering from the then-British Colonies.

American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, George Rogers Clark captured Prairie du Rocher for the colonies in his Illinois campaign that also resulted in the capture of Vincennes, Indiana. Reportedly, his campaign caused some of the remaining French settlers to emigrate to the Spanish-controlled territories west of the Mississippi, leaving relatively few in Prairie du Rocher. Many of the subsequent settlers of the area had been members of Clark's campaign, or were related to someone who was. They were convinced of the promise of the area by tales of the fertility of the soil in the area now called American Bottom.

1993 floods
Prairie du Rocher was one of the few towns along the Mississippi River that escaped being flooded in the Great Flood of 1993. After levees broke to the north near the towns of Columbia and Valmeyer, Illinois, flood waters engulfed Fort de Chartres. They also threatened the town of Prairie du Rocher.

With only the Prairie du Rocher Creek levee protecting the town, residents discovered a unique situation had developed. The water that had broken through the main Mississippi River levee and was approaching the top of the Prairie du Rocher Creek levee was higher than the water in the main Mississippi River channel. The Army Corps of Engineers (COE) decided to use a barge-mounted shovel to break through the Mississippi River levee near Fort de Chartres, to allow flood waters to escape back to the Mississippi River channel. This did not significantly lower the water level, but the COE decided against further action.

In a 3:30 a.m. decision, with the flood waters at the top of the sandbags stacked on top of the Prairie du Rocher Creek levee, all three commissioners of the Fort de Chartres – Ivy Landing Drainage and Levee District voted to use dynamite to breach the levee in two additional locations. Because of risk, the COE had argued against such a decision. The village put out a call for help and added a foot and a half of sandbags to the creek levee. Finally, the two openings allowed enough water to escape back to the main channel so that the town was saved from flooding. The levee still stands strong today.

Recent history

French settlers founded Prairie du Rocher circa 1722. At least twelve surviving houses in the village were built in the eighteenth century, including the Melliere House, which was constructed in 1735. Another is the Creole House, constructed in 1800, which was built in the French Colonial style by an unknown English-speaking immigrant from the eastern United States.

Arts and culture
French customs practiced in Prairie du Rocher include La Guiannée, a custom of caroling on New Year's Eve dating back to medieval times in France. It has been celebrated in Prairie du Rocher every New Year's Eve since settlement in 1722. The town also celebrates Rendezvous during the summer, as well as the winter, at the Fort de Chartres. During that time, people from a broad area come to camp out for the weekend. They dress like Indians and French soldiers of the mid-18th century, camp out at the fort, and re-enact the wars that decided the ownership of the fort.

Fort de Chartres is a French military fort constructed in the 18th century. It later was designated an Illinois state historic site.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Prairie du Rocher has a total area of 0.57 sqmi, all land.

Illinois Route 155 is the only state highway that runs through Prairie du Rocher. It connects the town with Ruma, 7 mi to the northeast, and Fort de Chartres, 4 mi to the west. Bluff Road connects the town to as far south as Ellis Grove and as far north as Columbia.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 613 people, 240 households, and 160 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,076.2 PD/sqmi. There were 255 housing units at an average density of 447.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.02% White, 0.33% Native American, and 0.65% from two or more races.

There were 240 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $35,795, and the median income for a family was $44,659. Males had a median income of $31,750 versus $20,556 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,771. About 9.3% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town has one elementary school for grades K-8. Students must travel to a nearby town for high school. The village has a library and two parks, one owned by the school and the other by the town.

Infrastructure
The volunteer fire department occupies part of the city hall (which also houses the post office).

Notable people

 * Henry C. Hansbrough, U.S. Congressman and Senator from North Dakota

title: Prairie du Rocher, Illinois