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Pontiac, Illinois

Pontiac is a city in and the county seat of Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,150 in the 2020 census. The 1984 movie Grandview, U.S.A. was set in Pontiac.

Location

According to the 2010 Census, Pontiac has a total area of 7.87 sqmi, of which 7.73 sqmi (or 98.22%) is land and 0.14 sqmi (or 1.78%) is water.

Most of the land adjacent to Pontiac is farmland.

Pontiac lies on the Vermilion River. On December 4, 1982, Pontiac had the worst flood in the town's history, cresting at 19.16 feet, caused by a major storm. The most recent flooding occurred on January 9, 2008, cresting at 18.85 feet, the second worst in the town's history.

Slow beginnings
Pontiac was laid out on July 27, 1837 by Henry Weed and brothers Lucius Young and Seth M. Young. A small group of people gathered at the cabin of Andrew McMillan on the banks of the Vermilion River. They intended to create a county seat for the newly established county of Livingston. The town they would design was nearly the last of hundreds of new towns laid out in Illinois between 1835 and 1837. Livingston County, which had been created five months before, had almost no functioning government. Illinois, like the rest of the nation, was slipping into an economic depression that would cause the next decade to be called “the hungry forties".

Moreover, the men had guaranteed a great deal in order to be granted the right to found the seat of the new county. They had agreed to donate twenty acres of land for a courthouse, another acre for a jail, and a pen for stray livestock. They had agreed to give the new county $3,000 toward erecting new buildings, to erect “a good and substantial wagon bridge" across the Vermilion River, and to build a county courthouse. None had the ready cash to support such an effort. They had simply promised to do so, and their promises were guaranteed by three others: C. H. Perry, the county's first storekeeper; James McKee, who had an interest at a mill at the new town site; and Jesse W. Fell, an Illinois legislator and Bloomington land dealer. Fell was the person who had been responsible for creating the new county. As it turned out, for the town's three founders, the future of Pontiac would not be their problem. Within five weeks of the founding of the town, both Young brothers would be dead, and Henry Weed soon drifted away and would die of pneumonia in 1842 while working on a railroad near Binghamton, New York. The men who founded Pontiac would not be its developers.

The design of Pontiac
The design of the original town was typical of Midwestern town plats in the 1830s. Since there were neither improved roads nor railroads, the plan was centered on a town square; such squares would become much less common after the arrival of railroads. In these early towns, the public square served to define the town center and therefore to establish the location of the highest value lots. Isaac Wicher, the County Surveyor, made the initial survey of Pontiac and staked out its streets and lots. Pontiac was the only town laid out in Livingston County in the 1830s, but similar square-centered towns from that time can be found at Metamora, Lexington, Danvers, Clinton, and Le Roy, all established within two years of Pontiac. The original Town of Pontiac differed somewhat from these others because it was unusually large, with ninety-three blocks, most divided into eight lots with some left unsubdivided. The new town extended on both sides of the river. The square, where the courthouse would be built, was bounded by Washington, Madison, Main and Mill Streets. At first, lots were sold for as little as five dollars each and, even as late as 1850, good lots could be had for as little as twenty dollars each.

Naming and first attempt to take away the county seat
Jesse W. Fell had been asked to use his influence to establish a post office in the area. In order to do this, he needed a name and selected “Pontiac” in honor of the Native American leader, who as far anyone knew had never set foot in the area that would be Livingston County. Fell had also selected the name of Livingston County. The town did have a few advantages. It was a good place to cross the river, there was a good mill seat, and James McKee was working to establish a sawmill on the Vermilion river at the town site. By 1838, the mill was in operation. Before leaving the county, Seth Weed had built the first house in Pontiac.

After the Young brothers' deaths, Isaac Fellows came west to settle their estate. He liked the location and took up residence. Work started on the courthouse, but was behind schedule. Early growth was so slow that rivals decided there was a good chance they could strip the honor and the business of the county seat from Pontiac. In 1839 they forced the matter to a vote. The proprietors of Pontiac, they argued, had not lived up to their obligations: the courthouse was unfinished and no bridge across the Vermilion had been built. Their new suggestion for the seat of Government of Livingston County, four or five miles upstream would, they said, be more centrally located. They complained that the site of Pontiac had been poorly chosen and was low, damp, and generally unhealthy. The people of the county agreed. By a margin of 81 to 56, they voted to move the county seat but a two-thirds majority was needed to relocate a county seat. As a two-thirds majority failed by a small margin, Pontiac was continued to be the location of the county offices. After considerable delay, the first Courthouse, a twenty-two by thirty-foot wooden building, was finished and, in 1847, the promised bridge across the Vermilion was completed. Shortly after the $450 bridge was opened, a sudden rise in the Vermilion river swept it away.

Second attempt to displace Pontiac
The 1878 History of Livingston County remarked, “the town of Pontiac was little more than a name.” In the early 1840s it had only a half-dozen cabins and an unfinished courthouse, and everything was so scattered among “clumps of bushes” that the town was almost invisible. In 1848, August Fellows, who now owned much of the town, had managed to set up a hostelry. Some of the first church services in Pontiac were held at the tavern. In 1849 cholera swept through Pontiac, killing Fellows and two of his children. One early settler remembered that in Livingston County one person in two suffered from the disease. Fellow's widow, Maria Tracey Fellows, continued to run the hotel; she remarried Nelson Buck in 1850 and renamed the place Buck Hotel.

In 1851, there was a second attempt to displace Pontiac. On June 23, 1851, a town called Richmond was platted two miles east of Pontiac. Its backers included powerful local business and political figures. These men had calculated that the new Chicago and Mississippi Railroad would miss Pontiac and cross the Vermilion River at their location. Stores, shops, and a schoolhouse were built at Richmond. However, the Richmond speculators had not reckoned with Jesse W. Fell, who had retained a strong economic and social interest in Pontiac and had important friends among the railroad officials. The tracks missed Richmond and passed through Pontiac, with the station located in Fell's First Addition to the town. Richmond was quickly abandoned; some of its buildings were moved to Pontiac. On July 4, 1854, an exhibition train steamed into Pontiac, and a few months later regular service on the railroad, soon to be known as the Chicago and Alton, began.

Years of rapid growth
Pontiac became a boom town. People flooded in and money for improvements was available. In 1856, Pontiac was incorporated. By 1866, the people of Livingston County could afford to spend $18,000 to construct a new stone jail in Pontiac. In 1870, the state established the Reform School at Pontiac. It was to be a model correctional institution for boys. Jesse W. Fell donated sixty-four acres, valued at $10,000, and more land was purchased. Livingston County issued $50,000 in bonds. The town of Pontiac added another $25,000 in bonds, and the first buildings were constructed. In 1892, this facility became the Illinois State Reformatory and is now the Pontiac Correctional Center.

In 1870, a fire destroyed $50,000 worth of buildings in downtown Pontiac and, like many Illinois towns, the town fathers, spurred on by insurance companies, created a “fire district,” a zone in the commercial part of the city where buildings had to be constructed of brick or some other fireproof material. These districts make Pontiac a classic example of one of the key visual features of the American Midwest: towns with brick commercial districts surrounded by wooden residences. Rebuilding was rapid, and growth continued. In 1871, The Chicago and Paducah Railroad was built with the aid of local bonds. The new railroad had revenues of $21,600 by 1877, while the older Chicago and Alton Railroad was handling $61,578 worth of goods. A second and larger courthouse was built. During Independence Day celebrations on July 4, 1874, stray fireworks started a blaze which burned the courthouse, the Union Block, and the Phoenix Block. Undaunted, Livingston County set out to find the best possible architect to design a new and more splendid building. They settled on John C. Cochrane, known for his work on the Capitol building in Springfield and for the Richland County courthouse. The building was finished in 1875 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Continued growth
By 1880, improvements continued at a rapid pace, which included the installation of the first electric lights in 1882. In 1891, the wooden bridge over the Vermilion river was replaced by an iron span. Pontiac built a municipal water works in 1892. Between 1875 and 1900, new buildings were erected around the courthouse square.

Abraham Lincoln visited Pontiac in the 1840s and again in February 1855, when his train was snowbound on the nearby tracks, and he was taken by sled to spend the night at the home of Mr. John McGregor. On January 25, 1860, Lincoln was again in town when he addressed the Young Men's Literary Association. In 1858, Stephen A. Douglas and Owen Lovejoy, the abolitionist, both visited Pontiac. When local people learned in 1880 that former president Ulysses S. Grant would pass through Pontiac on his way to visit his son, they begged the general to stay over for breakfast, and a large reception committee quickly arranged a celebration. William Jennings Bryan came to Pontiac on October 27, 1896 and returned on several other occasions. On June 3, 1903, during his whistle stop tour through Central Illinois, Theodore Roosevelt spoke in Pontiac and unveiled the soldier's monument. He spoke there again in 1910.

Automobile age
In the American Midwest, new highways often parallel early railroads. This happened at Pontiac. The Chicago Mississippi, linking St. Louis with Chicago, was Pontiac's first railroad. In 1922 and 1923, Route 4, the first paved highway between Chicago and St. Louis, followed almost exactly the same route as the railroad. Local people called it the ‘hard road.” The new state highway passed along Ladd Street and brought traffic through the center of Pontiac. The 1891 iron truss bridge over the Vermilion proved inadequate to carry increased traffic over the river, and in 1925 it was replaced with a steel and concrete structure. Also in 1925, the designation of the road was changed to Route 66, but this was only a change in name, as most of this famous highway simply borrowed the pavement of Route 4.

The Threshermen's Reunion started in a modest way in 1949 at Pontiac's Chautauqua Park next to the Vermilion River as a gathering of interested people who brought together a collection of old farm machinery. The assemblage of steam engines and the people who ran them grew in popularity. In 1999, the sponsors purchased their own forty acres north of town.

The first phase of construction on Interstate 55 was finished in 1966, and in the early 1970s the road, which closely followed Route 66, was brought up to improved federal standards. Highway-oriented businesses soon clustered around these roads, at first on the north and south sides of Pontiac, and later near Exit 197, west of the old town center. Unlike many towns, Pontiac has continued to be serviced by railroad passenger service. In 1971, Amtrak took over the task of moving people between Chicago and St. Louis, and Pontiac has continued to be a stop.

Pontiac is home to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. It was previously located at Dixie Truckers Home in McLean, Illinois, but it was moved to a new, larger location in Pontiac when Dixie changed ownership.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,864 people, 4,139 households, and 2,619 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,263.0 PD/sqmi. There were 4,379 housing units at an average density of 835.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 85.39% White, 10.90% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 2.06% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.

Of the 4,139 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% 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 3.00.

The population of the city was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 120.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,593, and the median income for a family was $43,231. Males had a median income of $35,709 versus $22,302 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,863. About 8.1% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The Illinois Department of Corrections Pontiac Correctional Center is located in Pontiac. Pontiac housed the male death row until 2003. Prior to the January 11, 2003 commutation of all death row sentences, male death row inmates were housed in Pontiac, Menard, and Tamms correctional centers. Governor Rod Blagojevich threatened to close the prison in 2008. After the community protested the closing for many different reasons, the prison closure was averted.

Media
The city is served by the newspaper The Daily Leader. Local radio stations include WIBL 107.7 ("The Bull") and WJEZ 98.9.

Education
Pontiac Elementary School District 429 operates public elementary and junior high schools.

Pontiac Township High School District #90 operates Pontiac Township High School.

Museums
Pontiac is home to several museums including the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, the Pontiac Oakland Museum, the Livingston County War Museum, the Yost House Museum and Art Center, and the International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum.

Murals
Downtown Pontiac has a collection of more than 20 murals that depict events, people and places from the history of the town. Included in these murals is a large Route 66 shield that is a popular photo opportunity for tourists from many countries.

Parks
Pontiac has 10 parks in the area, all of which are open to the public from dawn to dusk.
 * Jaycee Park – 4.6-acre city park with a baseball field, batting cage and playground equipment. Located at 100 N. Pearl Street.
 * Play Park – 12.5-acre city park with a boat ramp, playground equipment, Riverview Disc Golf Course and two swinging bridges. Located at 3030 E. Grove Street.
 * Dargan Park – 2-acre city park with sculptures, a picnic pavilion and playground equipment. Located at 210 Fountain Street.
 * Chautauqua Park – 26.5-acre city park with an auditorium, two picnic pavilions for rent, one picnic pavilion for public use, playground equipment, Riverview Disc Golf Course, and a swinging bridge. Located at 100 Park Street.
 * Humiston-Riverside Park – 5-acre city park with playground equipment and swinging bridge. Located at 400 W. Water Street.
 * Westview Park – 5.2-acre city park with a picnic pavilion, outdoor basketball court and playground equipment. Located at 1315 Indian Drive.
 * Fell Park – 2.3-acre city park with an outdoor basketball court, skate park and playground equipment. Located at 200 N. Vermillion Street.
 * Kiwanis-Humiston Park – 1.7-acre city park with five pickleball courts, one tennis court, a softball/baseball field and playground equipment. Located at 1100 S. Division Street.
 * Lions Park – 1.3-acre city park with a basketball court, softball/baseball field and playground equipment. Located at 401 E. North Street.
 * Recreation Complex – 60-acre city park with five softball/baseball fields, a football field, four basketball courts, six tennis courts, four sand volleyball pits, dog park and playground equipment. Located at 2104 Old Airport Road.

Notable people

 * Donald Attig, (born February 2, 1936, in Pontiac, Illinois), businessman, entrepreneur, inventor, author, and adventurer
 * Oscar F. Avery, (settled in Pontiac, Illinois with his wife and family) lawyer and Illinois state senator
 * Harry Bay, (January 17, 1878 – March 19, 1952), outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Bronchos/Naps
 * E. Wayne Craven, art historian
 * Emily Grove, pole vaulter
 * Moira Harris, actress and wife of Gary Sinise
 * William C. Harris, Illinois state legislator and businessman
 * Irene Hunt, Newbery Medal winning author
 * Frank L. Pinckney, second Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball head coach from 1906 to 1907
 * Dan Rutherford, Illinois Treasurer (2011–2015)
 * Mark Schwahn, screenwriter, director and producer
 * Jason Strevell, businessman, politician, friend of Abraham Lincoln
 * Patricia Tallman, actress and stuntwoman
 * Natashia Williams, actress

Transportation

 * Pontiac, Illinois (Amtrak station)
 * Pontiac Municipal Airport (KPNT) is 3 miles north of the town

In popular culture
Scenes from "Chained Heat," an episode of the TV series Revolution, were set in Pontiac. The episode was largely filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. C. Thomas Howell appeared in the episode. Howell also starred in Grandview, U.S.A., which was filmed in Pontiac.

In the TV series Supernatural, Jimmy Novak and his family live in Pontiac. Most of the first episode of season four takes place in Pontiac, but the places were all fictional with no real-world counterparts in the genuine Pontiac. The episode was filmed in the Vancouver metro area.

title: Pontiac, Illinois


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Saunemin, Illinois

Saunemin is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. As of 2023 the current population is 396.

Geography
Saunemin is located in eastern Livingston County. Illinois Route 116 passes through the southern side of the village, leading west 12 mi to Pontiac, the county seat, and east 26 mi to Ashkum. The village limits extend west along Route 116 to the crossroads with Illinois Route 47, which leads north 15 mi to Dwight and south 10 mi to Forrest.

Notable people

 * George S. Brydia, journalist, salesman, and politician,; born in Saunemin
 * Albert Cashier, a transgender man who enlisted in the army during the American Civil War
 * Arthur R. Falter, businessman and politician
 * Ira M. Lish, businessman, Representative and Senator of Illinois

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

title: Saunemin, Illinois


text:
Strawn, Illinois

Strawn is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population is 100 as of the 2010 census.

Geography
Strawn is located in southeastern Livingston County.

According to the 2010 census, Strawn has a total area of 0.52 sqmi, all land.

Founding and design of Strawn
Strawn was laid out on June 6, 1873, by David Strawn (October 1, 1818 – September 25, 1873). David Strawn had moved to La Salle County, Illinois, with his family in 1830 from Preble County, Ohio, and in 1835 had settled in South Ottawa Township. He had been elected to the Illinois General Assembly and, by the time the Town of Strawn was platted, he had become a very wealthy land owner. In addition to his La Salle County holdings, Strawn owned thousands of acres in Livingston County. David Strawn never lived in the town that had been named in his honor. The Chicago and Paducah Railroad was at that time being built through Fayette Township in Livingston County. Alfred C. Hueston, the Livingston County Surveyor, laid out the town. He staked out ten blocks on the west side of the tracks, each divided into nine to twenty-four lots. The town was aligned with the railroad tracks rather than in true compass directions. Strawn was unusual because it was designed with a Public Square, a feature common in Illinois towns of the 1830s, but much less so in Illinois towns of the 1870s. Hueston also included a square in his design of the Livingston County town of Cornell, laid out in 1871. There was a Depot Ground near the tracks and the station was on the west side of the tracks.

Early events in Strawn
In an effort to attract people to the town, Strawn decided that every alternate lot would be offered free of charge to anyone who would erect a house. The houses had to be of a specified size and they had to be finished quickly; Strawn was emphatic that he did not want "shanties" either as homes or as places of business. E. H. Roberts bought the first lot on the first day they were offered for sale. Many doubted Strawn would be a success.

John Colfer built the first house in Strawn; it was soon converted into a hotel. Roberts also had the distinction of being partner in Aaron, Roberts and Company, the firm that sold the first goods in the town. By 1878 Strawn had eight stores, a harness shop, a blacksmith shop, shoe shops, a grain business and a saloon. A Post Office was established in 1873. On July 1, 1873, the railroad station opened for business. On that day, the first item shipped into Strawn arrived: a barrel of meat bound for the boarding house operated by S.K. Mitchell. Six days later the first freight shipped out of town was sent off: a carload of hogs loaded by Walter D. Strawn, son of the town's founder, who was operating a nearby farm. The first school in Strawn was taught by Sarah Hanagan in the summer of 1873. The Railroad eventually became part of the Wabash system later on the Bloomer Line. Soon after its founding the population of Strawn grew rapidly, but this growth was not sustained.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 100 people, 40 households, and 25 families residing in the village; there were 46 housing units.

title: Strawn, Illinois


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Atlanta, Illinois

Atlanta (formerly Xenia) is a city in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,692 at the 2010 census.

History
The community was incorporated on February 14, 1855.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Atlanta has a total area of 1.268 sqmi, of which 1.26 sqmi (or 99.37%) is land and 0.008 sqmi (or 0.63%) is water.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,649 people, 694 households, and 469 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,310 PD/sqmi. There were 734 housing units at an average density of 583.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.58% White, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% from other races, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.

There were 694 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% 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 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,194, and the median income for a family was $51,157. Males had a median income of $32,891 versus $25,658 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,460. About 3.5% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
Per the 2010 United States Census, Atlanta has 1,692 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 1,638 White (96.8%), 5 Black (0.3%), 6 Asian (0.4%), 2 Native American & 15 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 26 people (1.5%).

There were 718 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.7% had someone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age was 39.3 years. The gender ratio was 48.3% male & 51.7% female. Among 718 occupied households, 79.4% were owner-occupied & 20.6% were renter-occupied.

Education
Atlanta Public Schools are part of the Olympia Community Unit School District 16. Students attend Olympia High School.

Notable people

 * Ellen Rankin Copp, sculptor, born in Atlanta
 * Lee Dunham, first baseman in Major League Baseball, played for the Philadelphia Phillies; born in Atlanta
 * Dave Kindred, sportswriter
 * Eleanor Sophia Smith, composer, music educator, Hull House Music School co-founder

title: Atlanta, Illinois


text:
Broadwell, Illinois

Broadwell is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 136 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Broadwell is located in southwestern Logan County. Interstate 55 passes through the western side of the village, with access from Exit 119. I-55 leads northeast 7 mi to Lincoln, the county seat, and 41 mi to Bloomington, while to the southwest it leads 25 mi to Springfield, the state capital.

According to the 2010 census, Broadwell has a total area of 0.18 sqmi, all land.

History
The village of Broadwell was platted in 1856 by William Broadwell and Jacob Eisiminger, which occurred in conjunction with the construction of the railroad linking Chicago and Springfield.

Prior to the plat of the village, there was an inn three-quarters of a mile east of the present site, called "Tantivy" or "TAN-TI-VY". The name apparently derives from an old English hunting cry. Tantivy Lodge was in existence from about 1840 through the early 1950s; tradition states that Abraham Lincoln stopped there while traveling from Springfield to the Logan County courthouse at Postville (today a part of the newer city of Lincoln, Illinois) while Lincoln rode the judicial circuit as a lawyer. It is recorded (with greater certainty) that the (later) central Illinois cattle and land baron, John Dean Gillett, proposed marriage to his future wife, Lemira Parke, at the Tantivy cabin c. 1840. It is likely that Tantivy was relocated by about one-eighth of a mile (from east to west) at least once during its existence.

When Jacob Eisiminger was offered the honor of having the village named after him, he declined, stating that the new village would be handicapped with such an unusual name; accordingly, it was named Broadwell. William Broadwell (of Springfield) owned the original land, but had very little further connection with the village, and he later moved to Kansas; the Eisiminger family, however, were long-time merchants, postmasters and schoolteachers in the village. Leola Eisiminger, the last member of the family bearing this name, died on August 16, 2005.

Broadwell became a shipping point for hogs, corn, wheat and later soybeans. The village and township has never known any great period of economic boom or bust. The surrounding Broadwell Township features some of the finest productive agricultural soils in North America.

The village was located directly on historic U.S. Route 66, from 1926 to 1978; today the limited-access Interstate 55 is located on the western edge of the village. There is a full interstate exit for the village and township. The former northbound lane of U.S. Route 66 remains intact, and it still serves the village as a major local road and tourist magnet.

Broadwell featured the well-known "Pig Hip" Restaurant, operated by Ernest L. ("Ernie") Edwards and family from 1937 through 1991. Edwards recently received the citation for "The BEST U.S. Route 66 attraction where the ORIGINAL GUY is still there". Until recently, the Pig Hip building was still open as a museum of Route 66 memorabilia, with Ernie Edwards (born August 5, 1917) as the host. The restaurant/museum and most of its contents were destroyed by fire on March 5, 2007. Ernie operated a small museum from his adjacent residence until late 2010, and he died in nearby Lincoln on April 11, 2012. He retained his wits and memory to the very end of life, and was a fount of Route 66 stories and information. On June 9, 1990, Ernie became an inaugural inductee into the Route 66 Hall of Fame of Illinois.

A bronze and stone memorial dedicated to the Pig Hip Restaurant and to U.S. Route 66 was unveiled by Ernie Edwards on August 5, 2007. The large boulder and bronze marker were presented to Ernie by his family, friends, and neighbors on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

The village and township of Broadwell sent two of its native sons to the Illinois General Assembly during the late twentieth century. John R. ("Jack") Lauer served as state representative from 1973 to 1978, and Robert F. ("Bob") Olson served as state representative from 1986 to 1994. Both men farmed locally for many years.

Demographics
Per the 2010 United States Census, Broadwell had 145 people. This includes 143 non-Hispanics White, 1 Black & 1 Hispanic or Latino.

There were 66 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 1 household had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.2% had someone who was 65 years of age or older.

The population was spread out, with 84.8% over the age of 18 and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. The gender ratio was 50.3% male & 49.7% female. Among 66 occupied households, 65.2% were owner-occupied & 34.8% were renter-occupied.

As of the census of 2000, there were 169 people, 70 households, and 46 families residing in the village. The population density was 884.2 PD/sqmi. There were 82 housing units at an average density of 429.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 70 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $40,469 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,911. About 8.3% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.8% of those 65 or over.

title: Broadwell, Illinois


text:
Elkhart, Illinois

Elkhart is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 405 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Elkhart is located in southwestern Logan County is in Elkhart and Hurlbut townships, with the geographic center of the village slightly east of the township border, in Elkhart Township.

Interstate 55 passes through the northwest part of the village, with access from Exit 115. I-55 leads northeast 11 mi to Lincoln, the county seat, and southwest 20 mi to Springfield, the state capital.

According to the 2010 census, Elkhart has a total area of 1.459 sqmi, of which 1.45 sqmi (or 99.38%) is land and 0.009 sqmi (or 0.62%) is water. Elkhart Hill, with a summit elevation of 771 ft, is in the southeast part of the village, rising 180 ft above the village center and the surrounding flatlands.

Demographics
Per the 2010 United States Census, Elkhart had 405 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 387 White (95.6%), 2 Asian (0.5%), 2 Native Hawaiian & 1 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 13 people (3.2%).

There were 176 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 34.1% had someone who was 65 years of age or older.

The age distribution of the population shows 80.0% over the age of 18 and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. The gender ratio was 46.2% male & 53.8% female. Among 176 occupied households, 84.7% were owner-occupied & 15.3% were renter-occupied.

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 443 people, 183 households, and 116 families residing in the village. The population density was 303.9 PD/sqmi. There were 194 housing units at an average density of 133.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.32% White, 0.45% African American and 0.23% Asian.

There were 183 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 32.8% 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 2.42 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the village, the age distribution of the population shows 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,838, and the median income for a family was $55,417. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $24,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,958. About 4.3% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

History
Elkhart takes its name from Elkhart (or "Elk Heart") Grove, which along with Buffalo Hart was an area of woodland along the Edwards Trace. The grove's name has been attributed to its shape, resembling the heart of an elk. Prior to the forced expulsion of indigenous peoples from Illinois, a Kickapoo village was located at the grove.

The history of non-indigenous settlement at Elkhart dates from the arrival of James Latham and his family at Elkhart Grove in the spring of 1819. James Latham's house, and later his son Richard Latham's place on the brow of the hill further south, were stops on the early stage routes from Springfield to Bloomington. Around 1822, James and Richard Latham built a horse mill at the foot of Elkhart Hill. Before this, the early settlers had been compelled to go to Edwardsville to mill. During the mill's existence, settlers came a great distance to get their grinding done and frequently camped overnight waiting their turn.

In later days, Abraham Lincoln, David Davis, John T. Stuart and others frequently spent the night at Elkhart Grove when traveling the 8th Judicial Circuit.

A town site at Elkhart Grove had been laid out by early settler Aquilla Davis in the 1820s. However, nothing definite was done in that direction until the Alton & Sangamon (now the Chicago & Alton) railroad came through in 1853. Once the tracks were laid, an old horse mill, owned by Seneca Woods, was brought from Springfield by William Mozee and converted into a warehouse. This was the first building in the town of Elkhart. In 1855, John Shockey, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, laid out the town, and County Surveyor Conaway Pence surveyed it on April 11 of that year. The town was given the name of Elkhart City to distinguish it from the nearby locations of Elkhart Hill and Elkhart Grove.

Also in 1855, John Shockey erected a large frame hotel. J. R. Saunders also built a brick store and offered the first general stock of goods for sale in the town. A few goods had been for sale in the old warehouse, but no regular stock had been kept. Quite a number of houses were built that same summer, and the town experienced quite a growth spurt during the later 1850s. The Elkhart City post office was established in 1856. J. R. Saunders served as the first postmaster and railroad agent, and William Rankin was his assistant. In 1858, John Gibbs erected a warehouse. Shockey's 16 acre addition was added to the original town in January 1858. Rigney's addition was laid out in 1863, and Thompson's addition was added in 1865. A small district school house was moved into the town in 1856, which gave way to a larger structure in 1865.

For many years Elkhart was one of the largest shipping points on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. This was due in part to the large stock farms of John D. Gillett. The town was incorporated February 22, 1861, by special legislative charter. The first officers were James Rigney, president; W. M. Helm, clerk; T. H. Cantrall, treasurer; L. D. Dana, justice; Martin Buzzard, constable; and A. H. Bogardus, street commissioner. A Methodist church was built in the village in 1863, a Catholic church in 1864, and a Christian church in 1867.

The name of the post office was changed from Elkhart City to Elkhart in 1883. A new rail depot was built at Elkhart in 1888.

Like many frontier towns, Elkhart had its share of fires. The nearby residence of the rancher John D. Gillett was destroyed by fire on February 14, 1871, although he rebuilt on the same site. On May 24, 1889, lightning struck the Crang Building, which was occupied by the Hughes & Mendenhall General Store. The fire spread to adjacent buildings and destroyed most of Elkhart's commercial buildings, wiping out ten businesses and one home.On March 2, 1891, Governor Richard J. Oglesby's residence was consumed by fire. A new residence was erected by Gov. Oglesby but on a site further to the south and east, now known as Oglehurst. Gov. Oglesby died in this home on April 24, 1899.

In 1885, the town was incorporated as a village under the general laws of the state, relinquishing the special legislative charter. The first board under the new incorporation consisted of Henry Stahl, C. P. Bridges, A. H. Bogardus, C. B. Taylor, David Lippott and Luther Wood. A new library building was erected in 1904, the gift of the Gillett family.

Elkhart was a station on the Illinois Traction System, an interurban railroad providing passenger service between Peoria and St. Louis that was built through the village in 1904. It continued in service until the 1950s.

Notable people

 * Adam Bogardus, 19th-century world champion trap shooter; lived in Elkhart
 * Richard J. Oglesby, 19th-century governor of Illinois; lived and died in Elkhart
 * Jake Stahl, first baseman and manager for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, and New York Highlanders; born in Elkhart
 * Tommy Thompson, outfielder for the Boston Braves, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Browns; born in Elkhart

title: Elkhart, Illinois


text:
Emden, Illinois

Emden is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 485 at the 2010 census. The village was named after Emden, Germany due to the large number of residents who immigrated to the area from villages along the River Ems

The first newspaper published in Emden was The Emden Star in 1893.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Emden has a total area of 0.23 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
Per the 2010 United States Census, Emden had 485 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 475 White (97.9%), 1 Black (0.2%), 1 Asian (0.2%), & 2 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 6 people (1.2%).

Of the 211 households 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 32.2% of households were one person and 37.9% had someone who was 65 or older.

The age distribution was 76.1% over the age of 18 and 23.7% 65 or older. The median age was 46.3 years. The gender ratio was 47.6% male & 52.4% female. Among 211 occupied households, 82.5% were owner-occupied & 17.5% were renter-occupied.

At the 2000 census, there were 515 people, 216 households, and 147 families in the village. The population density was 2,278.9 PD/sqmi. There were 226 housing units at an average density of 1,000.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.03% White, 0.19% Native American, and 0.78% from two or more races.

Of the 216 households 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 29.2% of households were one person and 19.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90.

The age distribution was 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median household income was $36,776 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,082. About 4.8% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions
Rail Splitter Wind Farm is centered on the village of Emden.

title: Emden, Illinois


text:
Hartsburg, Illinois

Hartsburg is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 314 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Hartsburg has a total area of 0.14 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
Per the 2010 United States Census, Hartsburg had 314 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 300 White (95.5%) & 5 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 9 people (2.9%).

There were 128 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.9% had someone who was 65 years of age or older.

The population was spread out, with 77.4% over the age of 18 and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. The gender ratio was 48.1% male & 51.9% female. Among 128 occupied households, 82.8% were owner-occupied & 17.8% were renter-occupied.

As of the census of 2000, there were 358 people, 132 households, and 99 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,465.7 PD/sqmi. There were 141 housing units at an average density of 971.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.72% White and 0.28% Native American.

There were 132 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% 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 3.08.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,000, and the median income for a family was $39,750. Males had a median income of $31,538 versus $19,125 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,057. About 6.7% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Hartsburg, Illinois


text:
Latham, Illinois

Latham is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 380 at the 2010 census.

History
Latham was platted in 1871 and named in honor of Robert B. Latham, a railroad official. A post office called Latham has been in operation since 1872.

Geography
Latham is located in southeastern Logan County. Illinois Route 121 passes around the north and east sides of the village, leading northwest 7 mi to Mount Pulaski and 18 mi to Lincoln, the county seat, while to the southeast it leads 6 mi to Warrensburg and 15 mi to Decatur.

According to the 2010 census, Latham has a total area of 0.28 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 371 people, 157 households, and 107 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,333.7 PD/sqmi. There were 177 housing units at an average density of 636.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.73% White and 0.27% Native American.

There were 157 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% 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 2.88.

In the village, the age distribution of the population shows 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,750, and the median income for a family was $47,292. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,917. About 12.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Chad Gray, (b. 1971) singer in heavy metal band Mudvayne; born in Latham
 * Eugene Earl "Junior" Thompson, (1917 - 2006) pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants; born in Latham

title: Latham, Illinois


text:
Lincoln, Illinois

Lincoln is a city in Logan County, Illinois, United States. First settled in the 1830s, it is the only town in the U.S. that was named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president; he practiced law there from 1847 to 1859. Lincoln is home to two prisons. It is also the home of the world's largest covered wagon and numerous other historical sites along the Route 66 corridor.

The population was 13,288 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Logan County.

History
The town's standard history holds that it was officially named on August 27, 1853, in an unusual ceremony. Abraham Lincoln, having assisted with the platting of the town and working as counsel for the newly laid Chicago & Mississippi Railroad which led to its founding, was asked to participate in a naming ceremony for the town. On this date, the first sale of lots took place in the new town. Ninety were sold at prices ranging from $40 to $150. According to tradition Lincoln was present. At noon he purchased two watermelons and carried one under each arm to the public square. There he invited Latham, Hickox, and Gillette, proprietors, to join him, saying, "Now we'll christen the new town," squeezing watermelon juice out on the ground. Legend has it that when it had been proposed to him that the town be named for him, he had advised against it, saying that in his experience, "Nothing bearing the name of Lincoln ever amounted to much." The town of Lincoln was the first city named after Abraham Lincoln, while he was a lawyer and before he was President of the United States.

Despite that story, newspaper reports make it clear that the city's name of Lincoln had been chosen at least several weeks before the August 27 date. The new site of Lincoln was about three-quarters of a mile from the small settlement of Postville. "The position is fine and commanding, and if it does not make a big city, we have no doubt it will soon arrive at the dignity of a flourishing and respectable town," the Illinois State Register wrote. "We will also add that the town was named by the proprietors, of whom our enterprising citizen, Virgil Hickox, is one, in honor of A. Lincoln, esq., the attorney of the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad Company."

Lincoln College (chartered Lincoln University), a private four-year liberal arts college, was founded in early 1865 and granted 2 year degrees until 1929. News of the establishment and name of the school was communicated to President Lincoln shortly before his death, making Lincoln the only college to be named after Lincoln while he was living. Despite the city of Lincoln's 90%+ white population, Lincoln college was an HBCU. After a cyber attack in 2021, Lincoln College closed permanently in May 2022. The College had an excellent collection of Abraham Lincoln–related documents and artifacts, housed in a museum which was open to the general public before their closure. The City of Lincoln was located directly on U.S. Route 66 from 1926 through 1978. This is its secondary tourist theme after the connection with Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln City Hall was built in 1895. A phone booth was installed on the roof of the building in the 1960s for weather spotting.

American author Langston Hughes spent one year of his youth in Lincoln. Later on, he was to write to his eighth-grade teacher in Lincoln, telling her his writing career began there in the eighth grade, when he was elected class poet.

American theologians Reinhold Niebuhr and Helmut Richard Niebuhr lived in Lincoln from 1902 through their college years. Reinhold Niebuhr first served as pastor of a church when he served as interim minister of Lincoln's St. John's German Evangelical Synod church following his father's death. Reinhold Niebuhr is best known as the author of the Serenity Prayer.

The City of Lincoln features the stone, three-story, domed Logan County Courthouse (1905). This courthouse building replaced the earlier Logan County Courthouse (built 1858) where Lincoln once practiced law; the earlier building had fallen into serious decay and could not be saved. In addition, the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site contains a 1953 replica of the original 1840 Logan County courthouse; Postville, the original county seat, lost its status in 1848 and was itself annexed into Lincoln in the 1860s.

Lincoln was also the site of the Lincoln Developmental Center (LDC); a state institution for the developmentally disabled. Founded in 1877, the institution was one of Logan County's largest employers until closed in 2002 by former Governor George Ryan due to concerns about patient maltreatment. Despite efforts by some Illinois state legislators to reopen LDC, the facility remains shuttered.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Lincoln has a total area of 6.4 sqmi, all land.

I-55 (formerly U.S. Route 66) connects Lincoln to Bloomington and Springfield. Illinois Route 10 and Illinois Route 121 run into the city. Amtrak serves Lincoln Station daily with its Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle routes. Service consists of four Lincoln Service round-trips between Chicago and St. Louis, and one Texas Eagle round-trip between San Antonio and Chicago. Three days a week, the Eagle continues on to Los Angeles. Lines of the Union Pacific and Canadian National railroads run through the city. Salt Creek (Sangamon River Tributary) and the Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area are nearby.

Climate
Lincoln has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfa). Monthly means range from 26.1 F in January to 74.6 F in July. There are 126 days below freezing while there are 24 days above 90 F. Since having an average record minimum of -11 F (-24 °C) according to XMACIS, It lies in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b.

The highest temperature was 113 F on July 15, 1936, and the lowest was -34 F on January 15, 1927.

Demographics

According to the 2010 United States Census, Lincoln had 14,504 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 13,262 White (91.4%), 528 Black (3.6%), 118 Asian (0.8%), and 227 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 336 people (2.3%).

There were 5,877 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 29.7% had someone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.83.

The population was spread out, with 78.5% over the age of 18 and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. The gender ratio was 47.9% male & 52.1% female. Among 5,877 occupied households, 64.6% were owner-occupied & 35.4% were renter-occupied.

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,369 people, 5,965 households, and 3,692 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,596.6 PD/sqmi. There were 6,391 housing units at an average density of 1,079.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.79% White, 2.82% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

There were 5,965 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The town's population is spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,435, and the median income for a family was $45,171. Males had a median income of $33,596 versus $22,500 for females. The per-capita income for the town is $17,207. About 8.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The United States Postal Service operates the Lincoln Post Office.

The Illinois Department of Corrections Logan Correctional Center is located in unincorporated Logan County, near Lincoln.

Cresco Labs opened their cultivation site there and has since replaced over 250 jobs lost when the bottle factory closed down. The farm has shown to be an integral factor in Lincoln’s economy.

Notable people

 * Scott Altman, NASA astronaut and space shuttle Columbia commander
 * Brian Cook, forward for five NBA teams
 * Henry Darger, writer and artist
 * William D. Gayle, Illinois State Representative and Mayor of Lincoln
 * Langston Hughes, poet, novelist, playwright
 * Terry Kinney, actor, cofounder of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company
 * David T. Littler, Illinois state legislator and lawyer
 * Edward R. Madigan, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1991–1993), congressman (1973–1991)
 * Robert Madigan, Illinois State Senator
 * William Keepers Maxwell, Jr., author; his 1979 novel So Long, See You Tomorrow is set in Lincoln
 * Kelly McEvers, journalist and correspondent for NPR
 * Alberta Nichols, composer for Broadway, radio and films of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s
 * H. Richard Niebuhr, prominent American theologian, brother of Reinhold Niebuhr
 * Reinhold Niebuhr, prominent American theologian and author of Serenity Prayer, brother of H. Richard Niebuhr
 * Stella Pevsner, children's book author
 * Clifford Quisenberry, Illinois State Representative
 * Rip Ragan, MLB pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
 * Dick Reichle, MLB outfielder for the Boston Red Sox
 * Bill Sampen, former Major League baseball pitcher
 * Kevin Seitzer, former Major League Baseball player
 * Tony Semple, former National Football League player
 * Willis R. Shaw, Illinois state senator
 * John Schlitt, lead singer of Christian rock band Petra
 * Larry Tagg, rock musician, songwriter, teacher, and historian
 * John Turner Illinois State Representative and judge
 * Emil Verban, MLB second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves
 * Dennis Werth, MLB first baseman for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals

title: Lincoln, Illinois


text:
Middletown, Illinois

Middletown is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 324 at the 2010 census, down from 434 in 2000.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Middletown has a total area of 0.24 sqmi, all land.

History
Middletown, founded in 1832, is the oldest town in Logan County. At one time, Middletown was considered as a location for the capital of Illinois. Middletown was a frequent overnight stop for legislators traveling between Springfield and Peoria in the mid-to-late 19th century. The Stage Coach Inn, located off the town square, is the oldest such wooden structure in Illinois. It is believed that Abraham Lincoln stayed at the Inn. Unfortunately, official records were destroyed in a fire many years ago.

The town does have at least one official and verified link to Abe Lincoln as he surveyed the site which would become the town during his early days surveying in Logan County.

Middletown is also home to the Knapp library and museum. The Knapp building is the oldest brick building in Logan county.

Several hot air balloon records were set in Middletown and the historic Vin Fiz, the first cross country flight, counts Middletown as one of the stops on that journey.

Middletown celebrated its Terquasquicentennial (175th birthday) during June 2007.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 434 people, 162 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,809.5 PD/sqmi. There were 181 housing units at an average density of 754.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.00% White, 0.23% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.15% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 162 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,929, and the median income for a family was $44,375. Males had a median income of $33,125 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,478. About 11.1% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88 operates the primary and middle school for the community. The high school for students assigned to District 88 schools is Lincoln Community High School.

title: Middletown, Illinois


text:
Mount Pulaski, Illinois

Mount Pulaski is a city in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,566 at the 2010 census, and 1,481 at a 2018 estimate. It is the home of the Mount Pulaski Courthouse State Historic Site. The city is named in honor of Polish Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski. Mount Pulaski has one high school: Mount Pulaski High School, home of the Hilltoppers. The school colors are purple and gold (MPGS colors are blue and white ). Mount Pulaski held the county seat of Logan County from 1848 to 1855.

Geography
Mount Pulaski is located near the geographic center of the state.

Mount Pulaski sits atop a glacial ridge dating to the Illinoian period.

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

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,701 people, 696 households, and 471 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,494.1 PD/sqmi. There were 741 housing units at an average density of 650.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.47% White, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 696 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% 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 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,750, and the median income for a family was $46,181. Males had a median income of $37,941 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,616. About 4.3% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Henry Pierson Crowe, Colonel in the USMC (1899–1991); attended high school in Mount Pulaski
 * Nicholas L. Hubbard, Illinois state legislator, grain dealer, and farmer; was born in Mount Pulaski
 * Vaughn De Leath (1894–1943); First female to sing live on a radio station January 1920 (New York City); was from Mt. Pulaski.
 * Herbert Ryman (1910-1989), American artist and Disney Imagineer lived in Mt. Pulaski as a youth.
 * John Schlitt, leader singer of Petra
 * William J. Rothwell, academic and author
 * Former Yankee Dennis Werth is a 1971 graduate of Mt. Pulaski High School.

title: Mount Pulaski, Illinois


text:
New Holland, Illinois

New Holland is a village in Logan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 269 at the 2010 census, down from 318 in 2000.

The village start up and growth is highly influenced by the Diffendefer family, which was the first family to settle in the location we call New Holland today.

The post office was established in 1802.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, New Holland has a total area of 0.29 sqmi, all land.

Illinois Route 10 runs through the village.

Demographics
Per the 2010 US Census, New Holland had 269 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 259 White (91.4%), 3 Native American, & 2 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 5 people.

There were 114 households, out of which 30 had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54 were married couples living together, 6 had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 45 were non-families. 38 households were made up of individuals, and 31 had someone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.01.

The population was spread out, with 77.7% over the age of 18 and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.9 years. The gender ratio was 51.7% male & 48.3% female. Among 114 occupied households, 86.8% were owner-occupied & 13.2% were renter-occupied.

As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 126 households, and 86 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,107.8 PD/sqmi. There were 137 housing units at an average density of 477.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.06% White, and 0.94% from two or more races.

There were 126 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $40,278, and the median income for a family was $45,313. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $21,944 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,241. About 9.2% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88 operates the primary and middle school for the community. The high school for students assigned to District 88 schools is Lincoln Community High School.

The first school was established in 1787 by the German Lutheran congregation, which taught English and German.

title: New Holland, Illinois


text:
San Jose, Illinois

San Jose is a village in Logan and Mason counties, Illinois, United States, founded in 1858. The population was 479 at the 2020 census, down from 642 in 2010.

History
San Jose was platted in 1858. The village was incorporated in 1876.

Geography
San Jose is located in eastern Mason County and northwestern Logan County. U.S. Route 136 passes through the village as its Main Street, leading west 24 mi to Havana, the Mason county seat, and east 23 mi to McLean. Lincoln, the Logan County seat, is 21 mi to the southeast.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Jose has a total area of 0.41 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 696 people, 261 households, and 199 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,361.3 PD/sqmi. There were 274 housing units at an average density of 535.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.28% White, 0.29% African American and 0.43% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population.

There were 261 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% 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 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,028, and the median income for a family was $45,104. Males had a median income of $37,083 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,110. About 2.7% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: San Jose, Illinois


text:
Argenta, Illinois

Argenta is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States, whose population was 913 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Argenta is located in northeastern Macon County at 39.98389°N, -88.82111°W (39.983996, -88.821076). Illinois Route 48 passes through the southeast side of the village, leading southwest 13 mi to Decatur, the county seat, and northeast 6 mi to Cisco. Interstate 72 passes 1 mi southeast of the village, with access from Exit 150 (Argenta Road).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Argenta has a total area of 0.65 sqmi, all recorded as land. Friends Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Sangamon River, crosses the east end of the village.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 921 people, 372 households, and 273 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,643.8 PD/sqmi. There were 385 housing units at an average density of 687.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.24% White, 0.11% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.11% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.11% of the population.

There were 372 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% 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 2.96.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,315, and the median income for a family was $49,028. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $23,214 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,154. About 1.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Neva Gerber, silent-film actress

title: Argenta, Illinois


text:
Blue Mound, Illinois

Blue Mound is a village in Macon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,133 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Blue Mound is located in southwestern Macon County at 39.69972°N, -89.12194°W (39.699677, -89.122075). Illinois Route 48 passes through the village, leading northeast 14 mi to Decatur, the county seat, and southwest the same distance to Taylorville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Blue Mound has a total area of 0.59 sqmi, all land.

One and a half miles northwest of the village is the Blue Mound, a glacial kame, a cone-shaped gravel hill rising 80 ft above the surrounding farmland. Surrounded by the Griswold Conservation Area, park and camping place, the mound is estimated to date from about 130,000 years ago in geologic time from melting of glacier ice. It is one of a group of glacial mounds in the Blue Mound area.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,129 people, 459 households, and 329 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,898.9 PD/sqmi. There were 483 housing units at an average density of 812.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.65% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.09% from other races, and 0.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 459 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $44,018, and the median income for a family was $49,432. Males had a median income of $36,354 versus $21,081 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,039. About 2.7% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Blue Mound, Illinois