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Medora, Illinois

Medora is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 379 at the 2020 census, down from 419 in 2010.

Geography
Medora is located along the western edge of Macoupin County at 39.17611°N, -90.14167°W (39.176063, -90.141801). The village's western border is the Jersey County line. Illinois Routes 111 and 267 pass through the east side of the village. Together the highways lead south 9 mi to Brighton. Route 267 leads north 13 mi to Greenfield, while Route 111 leads northeast 8 mi to Chesterfield. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 20 mi to the northeast via Routes 111 and 108.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Medora has a total area of 0.38 sqmi, all land. The village drains northwest to a tributary of Macoupin Creek, part of the Illinois River watershed.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 501 people, 175 households, and 131 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,598.7 PD/sqmi. There were 188 housing units at an average density of 599.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.81% White, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 1.20% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.

There were 175 households, of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $26,583, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,052. About 10.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 28.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Medora, Illinois


text:
Modesto, Illinois

Modesto is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 182 at the 2020 census, down from 252 in 2000.

Geography
Modesto is located in northern Macoupin County at 39.47694°N, -89.98278°W (39.476855, -89.982813). Illinois Route 111 passes through the village as Main Street, leading north 8 mi to Waverly and south 3 mi to Palmyra. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 19 mi to the southeast.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Modesto has a total area of 0.56 sqmi, all land. The village drains east to an unnamed tributary of Nassa Creek, a southwest-flowing feeder of the Macoupin Creek watershed leading west to the Illinois River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 252 people, 102 households, and 74 families residing in the village. The population density was 449.2 PD/sqmi. There were 109 housing units at an average density of 194.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 102 households, out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,393, and the median income for a family was $37,917. Males had a median income of $31,023 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,356. About 10.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.5% of those 65 or over.

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

title: Modesto, Illinois


text:
Mount Clare, Illinois

Mount Clare is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 311 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Mount Clare is located in southeastern Macoupin County at 39.09972°N, -89.82194°W (39.099811, -89.821915). It is bordered to the east by the city of Benld, and Gillespie is 2 mi to the north. Illinois Route 4 runs north-south through the east side of the village, while Illinois Route 138 leads southwest 3 mi to Wilsonville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mount Clare has a total area of 1.58 sqmi, of which 1.54 sqmi are land and 0.04 sqmi, or 2.47%, are water. The village is drained by the headwaters of Big Branch, a south-flowing tributary of Cahokia Creek, which runs to the Mississippi River northeast of St. Louis.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 433 people, 135 households, and 91 families residing in the village. The population density was 285.5 PD/sqmi. There were 144 housing units at an average density of 95.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.46% White, 0.92% African American, 0.46% Native American, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of the population.

There were 135 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% 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 18.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 41.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 61.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 55.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,000, and the median income for a family was $39,250. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $27,188 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,451. About 3.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Mount Clare, Illinois


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Mount Olive, Illinois

Mount Olive is a city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,015 at the 2020 census. The city is part of the Metro East region within the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Geography
Mount Olive is located in southeastern Macoupin County. Illinois Route 138 has its eastern terminus in the city, leading west 5 mi to Benld. Former U.S. Route 66 passed through the north and west sides of the city and later on a wider alignment farther north and west of the city. Both routings are now local roads, as Interstate 55 now passes 1 mi west of town, with access from Exit 44 (IL 138). Old Route 66 leads 8 mi northeast to Litchfield and southwest 6 mi to Staunton, and I-55 leads north 50 mi to Springfield and southwest 45 mi to St. Louis.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mount Olive has a total area of 1.16 sqmi, of which 0.003 sqmi, or 0.26%, are water. The city drains west to tributaries of Cahokia Creek, a west-flowing direct tributary of the Mississippi River, and southeast to Silver Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Kaskaskia River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,150 people, 906 households, and 609 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,948.2 PD/sqmi. There were 991 housing units at an average density of 898.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.79% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 1.28% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.

There were 906 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,065, and the median income for a family was $41,765. Males had a median income of $30,709 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,172. About 6.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Frank Biscan, pitcher for the St Louis Browns
 * Jess Dobernic, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds
 * Elmer Droste, Illinois state senator and lawyer
 * Adolph Germer (1881-1966), National Executive Secretary of the Socialist Party of America from 1916 to 1919 and national union organizer
 * Mary Harris Jones, aka "Mother Jones", famed labor organizer; buried in Mount Olive
 * Mike Kreevich, player for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns and Washington Senators

Points of interest
In Mount Olive is located the Union Miners Cemetery where miners killed in the Battle of Virden and community and labor organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones are buried.

The cemetery sits just south of former U.S. Route 66. Soulsby Service Station is the oldest operating station on the historic route in Illinois. It is most easily reached by taking Exit 44 on Interstate 55 and going east off the exit ramp, then following the signs to the cemetery.

title: Mount Olive, Illinois


text:
Nilwood, Illinois

Nilwood is an incorporated town in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 201 at the 2020 census, down from 284 in 2000.

Geography
Illinois Route 4 passes through the north side of town, leading southwest 11 mi to Carlinville, the county seat, and northeast 4 mi to Girard.

According to the 2010 census, Nilwood has a total area of 0.47 sqmi, all land. The town is drained to the northeast by the headwaters of Shearles Branch, which turns south and flows to Macoupin Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Illinois River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 284 people, 107 households, and 80 families residing in the town. The population density was 610.4 PD/sqmi. There were 117 housing units at an average density of 251.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 107 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,386, and the median income for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,365. About 11.7% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.1% of those 65 or over.

title: Nilwood, Illinois


text:
Palmyra, Illinois

Palmyra is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 605 at the 2020 census, down from 698 in 2010.

History
The first home in the Palmyra area was a log cabin built in 1835 by William Owens.

The town originally was named "Newburg", then changed to "Cummington" and finally was platted as Palmyra in 1855.

Palmyra High School was established in 1892. It closed in 1948 as it combined with three other small towns.

Palmyra Opera House
In November 1902, Clarence Grimett bought a half interest in land and a building at the corner of Main and State streets in Palmyra, where Joseph Waters later joined him in operating a general store. In about 1905, they built a basement oven, hired a baker, and began selling baked goods. After they opened a second-floor theater for presentation of plays and touring performers, the entire establishment became known as the Palmyra Opera House. After a long history as the center of town activity and many years of ownership by Joyce and Rosco Bettis, the Palmyra Opera House was re-opened as a restaurant in November 1999 by Rick Creasy.

Palmyra Castle
Palmyra Castle is a 9000 sqft residence in a park-like setting of 40 acre, designed to resemble a German castle.

Geography
Palmyra is located in northwestern Macoupin County at 39.43389°N, -89.99556°W (39.433980, -89.995424). Illinois Route 111 passes through the village as Main Street, leading north 11 mi to Waverly and southwest 22 mi to Medora. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 16 mi to the southeast via local roads.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Palmyra has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land. Solomon Creek, part of the Macoupin Creek watershed leading to the Illinois River, flows southward along the western border of the village.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 733 people, 334 households, and 223 families residing in the village. The population density was 732.9 PD/sqmi. There were 361 housing units at an average density of 361.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.77% White, 0.41% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.

There were 334 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $18,667 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,801. About 10.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Richard Grace, justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court
 * Joe McManus, pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
 * Earle Benjamin Searcy, Illinois state legislator

title: Palmyra, Illinois


text:
Royal Lakes, Illinois

Royal Lakes is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 167 at the 2020 census, down from 197 in 2010.

Geography
Royal Lakes is located at 39.11167°N, -89.96056°W (39.1116990, -89.9606600) in Hillyard Township in southern Macoupin County. Royal Lakes lies at the southwestern corner of two intersecting roads, Illinois Route 16 and Illinois Route 159. The nearest large cities are St. Louis, approximately 45 mi to the southwest, and Springfield, around 60 mi northeast of the village.

According to the 2010 census, Royal Lakes has a total area of 0.512 sqmi, of which 0.466 sqmi are land and 0.046 sqmi (or 8.98%) are water.

Lakes
Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – are located within the village of Royal Lakes. Shad Lake is an impoundment on Coop Branch, a northwest-flowing tributary of Macoupin Creek, while Meshach and Shadrach Lakes are built on separate tributaries of Coop Branch. The entire community is within the Illinois River watershed.
 * Meshach Lake is located in the east central portion of Royal Lakes. With an average depth of between 9 and 12 ft, it is the deepest of the three lakes.
 * Shad Lake covers approximately 1.5 acre with a maximum depth of 2 ft.
 * Shadrach Lake is located north of Magnolia Drive and west of North Dogwood Drive. Its depth ranges from 5 to 8 ft.

History
The site that would eventually become Royal Lakes was purchased by a Chicago developer in 1956. The 320 acre tract was to be developed as a resort-style community. Three small lakes – Meshach, Shad, and Shadrach – were constructed for recreational purposes and the remaining land was divided into 2,435 lots, each measuring 25 by. Royal Lakes was marketed as an affordable resort location in a rural setting. The community was heavily promoted in the predominantly African American neighborhoods of St. Louis and East St. Louis. In 1957, the first families moved into Royal Lakes. A community church was organized in 1961, and the congregation moved into a permanent building seven years later.

Due to Royal Lakes' status as a "resort" area, a lack of zoning regulations meant that there had been no provisions for the developer to provide basic infrastructure. With no road maintenance, water supply, or proper sewage disposal, the overall quality of life for residents of the community deteriorated. By the early 1970s, residents agreed that the only way to improve conditions in the community was through incorporation. An incorporation election was held in October 1972. Of the 98 votes cast, 89 were in favor of incorporation and 9 opposed. Royal Lakes officially became the Village of Royal Lakes.

The village's first mayor, Thomas J. Stoddard, and other members of the municipal government took office in April 1973.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 190 people, 80 households, and 46 families residing in the village. The population density was 408.1 PD/sqmi. There were 121 housing units at an average density of 259.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 15.79% White, 80.53% African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.05% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 80 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.5% 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 3.26.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $17,708, and the median income for a family was $21,042. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,049. About 19.1% of families and 27.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 27.8% of those 65 or over.

Education
Public education in the village of Royal Lakes is provided by two school districts. The portion of Royal Lakes lying east of Julian Avenue is served by Bunker Hill Community Unit School District 8. Areas west of Julian Avenue are served by Southwestern Community Unit School District 9.

title: Royal Lakes, Illinois


text:
Sawyerville, Illinois

Sawyerville is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 268.

Geography
Sawyerville is located in southeastern Macoupin County at 39.07806°N, -89.80639°W (39.078047, -89.806263). It is bordered to the north by the city of Benld. Illinois Route 4 passes through the west side of the village, leading north 3.5 mi to Gillespie and south 5 mi to Staunton, while Illinois Route 138 passes through the east side of the village, leading north to its terminus in Benld and east 2.5 mi to Interstate 55 at White City.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sawyerville has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, of which 0.99 sqmi are land and 0.014 sqmi, or 1.40%, are water. An unnamed stream forming a 50 ft ravine splits the village into a small eastern section and larger western section. The village is part of the Cahokia Creek watershed leading southwest to the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 295 people, 117 households, and 84 families residing in the village. The population density was 291.1 PD/sqmi. There were 127 housing units at an average density of 125.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.63% White, 0.68% African American, 0.34% Native American, and 1.36% from two or more races.

There were 117 households, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% 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 2.96.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,571, and the median income for a family was $34,167. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,415. About 10.5% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 22.6% of those 65 or over.

title: Sawyerville, Illinois


text:
Scottville, Illinois

Scottville is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 93 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Scottville is located in northwestern Macoupin County at 39.47889°N, -90.10361°W (39.479021, -90.103494). It is 8 mi northwest of Palmyra and 24 mi northwest of Carlinville, the county seat.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Scottville has a total area of 1 sqmi, all land. Headwaters of Rock Branch flow through the village, leading northwest to Apple Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Illinois River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 140 people, 57 households, and 42 families residing in the village. The population density was 139.9 PD/sqmi. There were 63 housing units at an average density of 62.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 57 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% 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 2.88.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $30,833. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,362. There were 14.3% of families and 17.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 25.7% of under eighteens and 20.0% of those over 64.

title: Scottville, Illinois


text:
Shipman, Illinois

Shipman is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 511 at the 2020 census, down from 624 in 2010.

Geography
Shipman is located in southwestern Macoupin County at 39.11833°N, -90.04361°W (39.118240, -90.043506). Illinois Route 16 passes through the south side of the village as Railroad Street; it leads east 13 mi to Gillespie and west 15 mi to Jerseyville. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 15 mi to the northeast by local roads.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Shipman has a total area of 1.333 sqmi, of which 1.32 sqmi are land and 0.013 sqmi, or 0.98%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 655 people, 249 households, and 181 families residing in the village. The population density was 495.8 PD/sqmi. There were 273 housing units at an average density of 206.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.86% White, 0.76% African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.31% Asian, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 249 households, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% 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 3.12.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $34,318, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,139. About 7.2% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Museum registrar Helena M. Weiss was raised in Shipman.

title: Shipman, Illinois


text:
Standard City, Illinois

Standard City is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 135 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Standard City is located in northeastern Macoupin County at 39.35073°N, -89.78815°W. It is 9 mi northeast of Carlinville, the county seat, and 13 mi west of Raymond.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Standard City has a total area of 0.639 sqmi, of which 0.636 sqmi are land and 0.003 sqmi, or 0.47%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 138 people, 58 households, and 41 families residing in the village. The population density was 216.7 PD/sqmi. There were 61 housing units at an average density of 95.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.28% White and 0.72% Asian.

There were 58 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.4% 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 2.38 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $19,688, and the median income for a family was $25,000. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,852. There were 18.8% of families and 22.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 25.8% of under eighteens and 27.3% of those over 64.

title: Standard City, Illinois


text:
Staunton, Illinois

Staunton is the second largest city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,054.

Name origins
A settler named Stanton bought land in the area and donated the land to a nearby village. The village decided to name the town Stanton after the original settler. An application for the town's incorporation was sent to Washington DC where it was approved but misspelled as Staunton due to the name being similar to Staunton, Virginia.

Early history
In 1817, John Wood became the first colonial settler to settle in what is now downtown Staunton. The town slowly grew and by the town's incorporation in 1859, had a schoolhouse, general store, a doctor's office and a mill. Staunton grew with the introduction of the railroad and a coal mine in the 1860s. New immigrants from Ireland, Germany and Italy moved to Staunton, and the community soon became one of the largest cities in southern Illinois. The Staunton Star-Times started publication in 1878. In 1891, Staunton applied for city status and elected its first mayor, F. E. Godfrey.

Coal mining
Coal mining characterized the city for nearly a century. Henry Voge opened the first coal mine in 1869 ("The Gin Shaft"). Two large mounds of slag that rise from prairie farmland on the outskirts of Staunton tell much about the history and the present status of the small city. The size of the piles indicates many years of deep shaft coal production, while the weeded erosions indicate the tipples have been idle for years. Mining started here shortly before the Civil War. It ended shortly before World War II. When the shafts were operating, they provided most of the employment in the town.

Staunton Local 755 became the largest coal miners' union in the state. The Labor Temple was built in 1914 by the local union. The front doors of this fine structure opened onto an attractive lobby with a wide stairway to the second floor on the right and a ticket office centered between two entrances to a large auditorium which had a sloping floor, aisles between three sections of comfortable seats and in front a large, well-arranged stage. This auditorium had the first air conditioning system to be found anywhere within thirty-five miles of Staunton. From Tuesday through Sunday it was a theatre showing first-run movies for many years. The musical film  Don't Give Up the Ship gave inspiration to local high school students in writing the Staunton High School fight song Don't Give Up the Fight. The first Monday of each month the Miners Union held their meeting there. The other Mondays could be booked for graduations, dramatic or musical productions by local groups, speakers, etc. Upstairs were toilet facilities, several small conference or committee meeting rooms, and a large hall where lodges met and dances and receptions could be held.

The last coal mine in Staunton closed in 1951.

20th century
In the 1920s, Staunton accomplished the building of several notable institutions such as Lake Staunton, Staunton Community High School and the Staunton Fire Department. Staunton's population reached at all time high during the 1920s. In 1941 the treasury department approved for a mural to be painted in the Staunton Post Office. The mural is "Going to Work" (Ralf Henrikson, completed 1941). It was the subject of a documentary, Silver Lining, about federal-sponsored art projects in Illinois during the Great Depression.

In the 1950s, the Illinois Traction system ran its last passenger train through Staunton, leading to a substantial decline in business in the area. Interstate 55 was built in 1956 and bypassed the historic Route 66 that passed through staunton cementing the continued decline of Staunton. In 1959, Staunton celebrated its 100th anniversary.

1918 Staunton Riot
Beginning on February 12, 1918, Staunton experienced two days of mob vigilantism and rioting that gained attention nationwide. Two men were tarred and feathered, with scores of others forced to kiss the American flag and sign loyalty pledges. The demonstration was initiated by members of the United Mine Workers, Local Union 755, who decided to "Americanize" the city through vigilante tactics. The riot began at 9 p.m. at a meeting of Local Union 755 at Labor Temple, where a $100 donation was being ratified to help defend Severino Oberdan from a previous charge of seditious talk that violated the Espionage Act. Oberdan's lawyer, John L. Metzen, had been summoned from Chicago by telegram to attend, but after being barred entrance went to his hotel. After Oberdan was accused of being an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World, a fight broke out, with twenty members of a newly deputized police force (the "American Vigilantes") charging the hall and handcuffing Oberdan. Metzen was seized from the hotel lobby, and he was clubbed by police before being marched down a dark street where he was stripped and a bucket of tar poured over his head. Both men were driven to the outskirts of Staunton where they were pointed in opposite directions and told not to return.

Working under the direction of the American Protective League, the mob of men and women was reported to be as large as 400 persons, many of whom began storming homes of suspected pro-Germans and IWW supporters. They were dragged from their homes to a stand where, under threat of being tarred, they were forced to kiss the American flag and sign a pledge of loyalty. These actions were continued into the early morning and resumed the next day. More than 100 homes were visited, including that of former County Clerk William C. Seehausen, who was forced to kiss the flag next to a boiling pot of tar. Brothers Harry and John Mlekush were socialists who had flown the red flag from their home, but were forced to replace it with a U.S. flag and sing "The Star-Spangled Banner".

The police did nothing to stop the attacks, claiming citizens were exercising their patriotic duty during a special emergency. Chief of Police Benjamin G. Volentine stated, "No official report of a disturbance has been made to me. The only report I have received is that there are a lot more Americans in Staunton today than there was yesterday." Nine alleged "pro-Germans" were arrested on February 13.

Metzen claimed he had walked naked for three hours before being helped by some farmers who gave him clothing. When he returned to Chicago the Chicago Bar Association moved that he be disbarred for unprofessional conduct. Oberdan made it to Worden, Illinois, where he was treated by a physician. Two months later U.S. Marshal Vincent Y. Dallman reported 82 "German alien enemies" living in Staunton. In May the Staunton Vigilance Corps of the State Council of Defense posted signs that demanded that only English be spoken in public. The German language was also dropped from the curriculum at Zion.

The area press gave enthusiastic support to the actions. The Staunton Star-Times announced that "the members of Local Union 755 [were] to be heartily congratulated on what they accomplished." Other district papers not only supported them but implied that such actions were required elsewhere in the area. The Mt. Olive Herald congratulated the vigilantes and issued a warning: "To Staunton belongs the honor of being first in the county in a real loyalty demonstration...In the future, anyone with pro-German tendencies will do well to keep their mouths shut." The Gillespie News commended the citizens and explained that while "we are not believers in mob violence...under the existing circumstances we are for it, and every man who took part in the Staunton demonstration should be given a medal." The Chicago Tribune commended the crowd for its "zealous Americanism". The governor of Illinois, Frank Orren Lowden, also supported what the local union did. "The people in Staunton who took the ‘Pros to a cleaning are not mobs...They were the best citizens that can be found in the great state of ours."

Geography
Staunton is located in southeastern Macoupin County. Its southern border is the Madison County line. Illinois Route 4 passes through the city as North Edwardsville Street, Hibbard Street, West Pearl Street, and South Hackman Street. Route 4 leads north 21 mi to Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, and south 28 mi to Lebanon. U.S. Route 66 once passed through the east side of the city, leading northeast 56 mi to Springfield, the state capital, and southwest 43 mi to St. Louis. Interstate 55 now passes 2 mi east of Staunton, supplanting Route 66.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Staunton has a total area of 4.01 sqmi, of which 0.035 sqmi, or 0.87%, are water. The city is drained to the west by tributaries of Ginseng Creek, which leads to Cahokia Creek, a west-flowing direct tributary of the Mississippi River. The easternmost part of the city drains south to tributaries of Silver Creek, part of the Kaskaskia River watershed leading south to the Mississippi.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,139 people and 2,258 households in the city. The population density was 1,678.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,153 housing units at an average density of 943.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.01% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

In 2000, there were 2,020 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.7% 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 2.45 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% 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 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a Staunton household rose from $35,893 in 2000 to $43,720 in 2010, and the median income for a family was $44,630 at the turn of the millennium. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $21,121 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,905. About 4.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

The city reached its peak population in 1920, with a population of 6,027. It suffered a decline until 1950, when it reached 4,047.

Population of Staunton and nearby cities and villages
†No census data gathered for Livingston in 1900, since it was not yet incorporated.

As the above data shows, Staunton experienced quite robust growth in the early part of the 20th century. Compared to other cities/villages in the area, Staunton has held its own relatively speaking. While standouts such as Edwardsville have continued to experience robust growth even to this day, Staunton's modest growth is favorable when compared to neighboring Livingston.

Governance
The city of Staunton is split into four wards in order to maximize efficiency in civic maintenance and representation. The city is divided into its east and west by Union Street and into its north and south by Main Street. The first, second, third, and fourth wards are in the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest corners respectively. Each ward is represented on the city council by two alderman, one serving a four-year term, and one serving a two-year term.

Religion

 * Lutheran Church established in 1847 (first school building in 1881, though some instruction took place before that time)
 * Catholic Church established in 1867 (first school building in 1904, though some instruction took place before that time)
 * Many other denominations have establishments in Staunton

Media
The Staunton Star-Times has been Staunton's newspaper since 1878.

Education
In 1993, Staunton High School won the IHSA Basketball championship

In 2004, Staunton School District absorbed the Livingston Schools District due to declining enrollment in the latter.

Staunton Community Unit Schools provides K-12 education for the city. The school district has one elementary school, one middle school and one high school, Staunton High School

Notable people

 * Harold Brodkey, writer and novelist; born in Staunton
 * Bruno Gaido, WWII naval aviation machinist and gunner; born outside of Staunton
 * Archibald Hoxsey, American aviation pioneer who worked for the Wright Brothers; flew former President Theodore Roosevelt on October 11, 1910 at Kinloch Field, now St. Louis Lambert International Airport; born in Staunton
 * Henry Keupper, pitcher for the St. Louis Terriers; born in Staunton
 * Lou Rochelli, second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers; born in Staunton
 * Hampton W. Wall, Illinois state legislator and banker; born on a farm near Staunton

title: Staunton, Illinois


text:
Virden, Illinois

Virden is a city in Macoupin and Sangamon counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 3,231 at the 2020 census.

The Macoupin County portion of Virden is part of the St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Sangamon County portion is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Virden was the scene of an 1898 coal miners' strike, during which Mary Harris "Mother" Jones played a major role.

History
Virden sits atop a large seam of coal. After the 1850s, when the Chicago and Alton Railroad was completed, it became possible to mine Virden coal and ship it long distances for a profit. Throughout the second half of the 1800s, Virden prospered and grew as a coal-mining town.

A bitter coal strike broke out in 1898. The Chicago-Virden Coal Company, fearing loss of key business in Chicago, refused to allow its Virden mines to be unionized, nor would it pay the nonunionized miners union-scale wages. Instead, the coal company built a timber stockade around its mine head, adjoining the railroad tracks, and hired African-Americans from Southern states as coal miners. The Chicago-Virden Company knew that African-Americans, who were attempting to escape Jim Crow labor conditions, would not request union-scale wages. Instead, the company promised to pay their new workers by the ton. The new miners were promised only 30 cents per ton of coal mined.

The appearance of the African-American miners infuriated the strikers. They were motivated by racism, by labor solidarity, and by the desire to create decent lives for their own families. Some of the striking coal miners were themselves African-American, and black coal miners who were union members in good standing were apparently accepted by their unionized white comrades. However, this acceptance did not extend to strikebreakers.

Battle of Virden
On October 12, 1898, a northbound train, loaded with potential strikebreaking miners, pulled into Virden and stopped on the tracks just outside the minehead stockade. The mine manager and train operator, knowing there would be trouble, had reinforced the train with a troop of security guards, armed with Winchester rifles. It soon became clear that the security guards had been either ordered, or allowed, to shoot to kill. As the strikers attempted to surround the train, the guards opened fire.

As a gun battle broke out in and around the strikebreakers' train, there were dead and wounded on both sides. Of the thirteen dead, six were security guards. Furthermore, had the strikers won the battle, their intentions toward the Alabama strikebreakers were not friendly. After twenty minutes of firing on both sides, the train's engineer accepted defeat and the engine and part of the train pulled away from the minehead and continued northward to Springfield. A monument in the Virden town square commemorates the coal strike of 1898 and the battle of October 12 that was its bitter end. The monument contains a large bronze bas-relief that includes the names of those killed, and a copy of a mendacious recruiting handbill distributed by the Chicago-Virden Company in Birmingham, Alabama, to recruit the African-American miners. The body of the bas-relief is made of symbolic representations of the Chicago & Alton tracks and the assault on the strikers. The guards are shown pointing their Winchesters at the strikers and their families. Atop the bas-relief is a bronze portrait of Mary Harris Jones ("Mother Jones"), who is buried in nearby Mount Olive.

Geography
Most of the city lies in the northeast corner of Macoupin County, with a small portion extending north into Sangamon County. In the 2000 census, 3,378 of the city's 3,488 residents (96.8%) lived in Macoupin County and 110 (3.2%) lived in Sangamon County.

Illinois Route 4 passes through the city as Springfield Street, leading southwest 18 mi to Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, and northeast 22 mi to Springfield, the state capital.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Virden has a total area of 1.89 sqmi, all land. The city drains west to Sugar Creek and east to its tributary Brush Creek. Both creeks flow to the northeast, with Sugar Creek joining the Sangamon River, a tributary of the Illinois River, east of Springfield.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,488 people, 1,455 households, and 934 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,032.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,609 housing units at an average density of 937.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.80% White, 0.32% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 1,455 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% 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 city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,905, and the median income for a family was $41,511. Males had a median income of $30,824 versus $22,121 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,541. About 7.4% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Warren Ambrose, professor emeritus of mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the University of Buenos Aires
 * Julian N. Frisbie, decorated brigadier general, USMC, during World War II and later Warden of Southern Michigan Prison
 * Edward Alsworth Ross, sociologist, eugenicist, and major figure of early criminology
 * Henry Calvert Simons, economist at the University of Chicago
 * Luella Wilcox St. Clair Moss, suffragist, one of the first female college presidents in the U.S.; born in Virden
 * Melvin Vaniman, aviator and photographer who specialized in panoramic images

title: Virden, Illinois


text:
White City, Illinois

White City is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 212 as of the 2020 census.

Geography
White City is located in southeastern Macoupin County at 39.0725°N, -89.76417°W (39.072429, -89.764128). Interstate 55 runs along the eastern border of the village, with access from Exit 44 (Illinois Route 138). The Interstate runs north 51 mi to Springfield, the state capital, and southwest 45 mi to St. Louis. IL 138 leads east 1.5 mi to the center of Mount Olive (the mailing address for White City with ZIP Code 62069) and northwest 3.5 mi to Benld.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, White City has a total area of 1.216 sqmi, of which 1.212 sqmi are land and 0.004 sqmi, or 0.33%, are water. The village drains west to the valley of Cahokia Creek and southeast to East Creek, its tributary. Cahokia Creek is a west-flowing direct tributary of the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 221 people, 90 households, and 56 families residing in the village. The population density was 181.9 PD/sqmi. There were 103 housing units at an average density of 84.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.64% White, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 90 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% 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 3.11.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $26,000, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $45,313 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,826. About 15.2% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.1% of those 65 or over.

title: White City, Illinois


text:
Wilsonville, Illinois

Wilsonville is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 536 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Wilsonville is located in southern Macoupin County at 39.07°N, -89.85417°W (39.070124, -89.854243). Illinois Route 138 passes through the northwest side of the village, leading northeast 3 mi to Mount Clare and west 7 mi to Bunker Hill. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 17 mi to the north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wilsonville has a total area of 0.982 sqmi, of which 0.956 sqmi are land and 0.026 sqmi, or 2.65%, are water. The West Fork of Cahokia Creek runs through a 50 ft ravine on the western edge of the village, flowing south to Cahokia Creek, a west-running direct tributary of the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 604 people, 249 households, and 167 families residing in the village. The population density was 633.4 PD/sqmi. There were 273 housing units at an average density of 286.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.68% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.33% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.

There were 249 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $27,917, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $20,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,089. About 9.1% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Wilsonville, Illinois


text:
Alhambra, Illinois

Alhambra is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 622 at the 2020 census.

Alhambra is part of the Metro-East region of the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Alhambra was laid out in 1849. The name was inspired by Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving.

The first cooperative soybean processing unit in Illinois, the Alhambra Grain & Feed Co., was located in the village. It began full production on March 1, 1945.

Geography
Alhambra is located in northeastern Madison County at 38.88861°N, -89.7325°W (38.888614, -89.732616). Illinois Route 140 passes through the village as Main Street, leading west 6 mi to Hamel and east 17 mi to Greenville. St. Louis, Missouri, is 36 mi to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alhambra has a total area of 0.76 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 1.05%, are water. The village drains southwest to Silver Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Kaskaskia River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 630 people, 209 households, and 145 families residing in the village. The population density was 834.4 PD/sqmi. There were 216 housing units at an average density of 286.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.73% White, and 1.27% from two or more races.

There were 209 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.3% 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 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 17.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 34.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,818, and the median income for a family was $53,214. Males had a median income of $31,484 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,124. About 3.1% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Alhambra, Illinois


text:
Alton, Illinois

Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about 18 mi north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 25,676 at the 2020 census. It is a part of the River Bend area in the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

It is famous for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city, as the former location of the state penitentiary, and for its role preceding and during the American Civil War. It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary in Alton was used during the Civil War to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war. Also, the tallest man in history, Robert Wadlow, was born and raised in Alton.

History
Although Alton once was growing faster than the nearby city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build a competing town to stop Alton's expansion and bring business to St. Louis. The resulting town was Grafton, Illinois.

Many blocks of housing in Alton were built in the Victorian Queen Anne style. They represent a prosperous period in the river city's history. At the top of the hill in the commercial area, several stone churches and a fine city hall also represent the city's wealth during its good times based on river traffic, manufacturing, and shipping. It was a commercial center for a large agricultural area. Numerous residences on hills have sweeping views of the Mississippi River.

Early history
The Alton area was home to Native Americans for thousands of years before the 19th-century founding by European Americans of the modern city. Historic accounts indicate occupation of this area by the Illinois Confederation at the time of European contact. Earlier native settlement is demonstrated by archaeological artifacts and the famous prehistoric Piasa bird painted on a cliff face nearby. The image was described in 1673 by French missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette.

19th century
Alton was developed as a river town in January 1818 by Rufus Easton, who named it after his son. Easton ran a passenger ferry service across the Mississippi River to the Missouri shore. Alton is located amid the confluence of three navigable rivers: the Illinois, the Mississippi, and the Missouri. Alton grew into a river trading town with an industrial character. The city rises steeply from the waterfront, where massive concrete grain silos and railroad tracks were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries to store and ship the area's grains and produce. Brick commercial buildings are spread throughout downtown. Once the site of several brick factories, Alton has an unusually high number of streets still paved in brick. The lower levels of Alton are subject to floods, many of which have inundated the historic downtown area. The dates of different flood levels are marked on the large grain silos, part of the Ardent Mills, near the Argosy Casino at the waterfront. The flood of 1993 is considered the worst of the last century.

Alton became an important town for abolitionists, as Illinois was a free state, separated from the slave state of Missouri only by the Mississippi River. Pro-slavery activists also lived there and slave catchers often raided the city. Escaped slaves would cross the river to seek shelter in Alton, and proceed to safer places through stations of the Underground Railroad. During the years before the American Civil War, several homes were equipped with tunnels and hiding places for stations on the Underground Railroad to aid slaves escaping to the North. On November 7, 1837, the abolitionist printer Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob while he tried to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of opposition there. He had printed many abolitionist tracts and distributed them throughout the area. When one of the mob made a move to set the old warehouse on fire, Lovejoy, armed with only a pistol, went outside to try to stop him. The pro-slavery man shot him dead (with a shotgun, five rounds through the midsection). The mob stormed the warehouse and threw Lovejoy's printing press into the Mississippi. Lovejoy thus became the first martyr of the abolition movement.

Alton became the seat of a diocese of the Catholic Church in 1857. Its first bishop was French-born Henry Damian Juncker. The new diocese had 58 churches, 18 priests, and 50,000 Catholics. When he died, 11 years later, the churches were 125, the priests more than 100, and the Catholics 80,000. He was succeeded by Peter Joseph Baltes from Germany (1869–1886) and James Ryan (1888–1923). In 1923 the bishop's seat was moved to Springfield, Illinois. The Diocese of Alton, no longer a residential bishopric, is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see. Titular bishops appointed to the see have been John Clayton Nienstedt, and Josu Iriondo.

On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate. A memorial at the site in downtown Alton features oversized statues of Lincoln and Douglas, as they would have appeared during the debate. Congressional representatives came to Alton when they drafted the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution, to permanently end slavery throughout the Union. Alton resident and US Senator Lyman Trumbull, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment. His Alton home, the Lyman Trumbull House, is a National Historic Monument.

Just two weeks into the American Civil War, Alton played a role in the infamous Camp Jackson Affair, which led to the eviction of Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson from office. The State of Missouri's neutrality was tested in a conflict over the St. Louis Arsenal. The Federal Government reinforced the Arsenal's tiny garrison with several detachments, including a force from the 2nd Infantry under Captain Nathaniel Lyon. Concerned by widespread reports that Governor Jackson intended to use the Missouri Volunteer Militia to attack the Arsenal and capture its 39,000 small arms, Secretary of War Simon Cameron ordered Lyon (by that time in acting command) to evacuate the majority of the arms to Illinois. 21,000 guns were secretly evacuated to Alton on the evening of April 29, 1861.

The first penitentiary in Illinois was built in Alton. While only a corner of it within a few blocks of the river remains, it once extended nearly to "Church Hill". During the American Civil War, Union forces used it to hold prisoners of war, and some 12,000 Confederates were held there. During the smallpox epidemic of 1863–1864, an estimated 1500–2200 men died. A Confederate mass grave on the north side of Alton holds many of the dead from the epidemic and a memorial marks the site. Often when Confederate prisoners escaped, they tried to cross the Mississippi River back to the slave state of Missouri.

20th century
Alton native Robert Pershing Wadlow, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, 2.72 m, is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in the area known as Upper Alton. The earth over his grave was raised so visitors can compare its length to other graves. A memorial to him, including a life-sized statue and a replica of his chair, stands on College Avenue, across from the Southern Illinois University Dental School.

The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George have their American province motherhouse in Alton.

In 1937 two commercial fishermen from Alton caught a bull shark in the Mississippi River. Late that summer they had realized something was troubling their wood and mesh traps. Concluding that it was a fish, they built a strong wire trap and baited it with chicken guts. The next morning, they caught the 5-foot 84-pound shark, which they displayed in the Calhoun Fish Market, where it attracted crowds for days.

World War II saw a group of seven brothers join the military and variously became decorated veterans. Among these were Millard Glen Gray, who was decorated by Douglas MacArthur, and Neil Gray, who received the Silver Star.

In 1954, the city of Alton was named as one of three finalists for the location of the new United States Air Force Academy. Alton lost to the winning site of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Because of Alton's location at the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1993 with its high water levels caused severe damage to the city. Alton's water supply was cut off due to flooding, and townspeople had to be supplied with bottled water for more than three weeks. Many local businesses, including Anheuser-Busch of St. Louis, donated funds to help the people of Alton.

The original bridge connecting Alton with West Alton, Missouri, was a two-lane (one in each direction) bridge that had become a hazard for motorists and a hindrance for emergency vehicles. The northernmost bridge in the St. Louis metropolitan area, it was torn down in the 1990s. The current Clark Bridge, with two lanes of divided traffic in each direction, plus two bike lanes, opened in 1994. Work had proceeded during the Great Flood of 1993. The award-winning cable-stayed design was done by Hanson Engineers of Springfield, Illinois. Pieces of cables identical to those of the bridge were handed out in educational settings all over the city to allow the city's children to "take home a piece of the bridge". The complex work of construction of the bridge, in which engineers had to deal with the strong river current, barge traffic and the 1993 flood, was featured in the documentary Super Bridge on Nova.

21st century
In 2021, voters in the city elected David Goins as Alton's first black mayor.

Geography
Alton is located on the Mississippi River above the mouth of the Missouri River. Most of Alton is located on bluffs overlooking the river valley. The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway runs along the Alton riverfront. A monument and observatory tower, Confluence Tower, located next to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in neighboring Hartford, IL, has been constructed to provide an overview of the Great Rivers area. This point also marks the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. Also on the river at Alton is Lock and Dam 26, the newest and busiest lock and dam complex on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Adjacent to it on the Illinois side is the National Great Rivers Museum, which features tours of the dam itself several times per day. On the Missouri side is the Audubon Center at Riverlands, which is one of the best places in the world to view birds, as it lies near where the Mississippi Flyway merges the flight paths of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers. Also adjacent to the Audubon Center is the Jones-Confluence Point State Park, where one can stand at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

According to the 2010 census, Alton has a total area of 16.736 sqmi, of which 15.47 sqmi (or 92.44%) is land and 1.266 sqmi (or 7.56%) is water.

The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the new Lock and Dam No. 26, or Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The lock and dam are open for tours. The lock is a favorite spot to watch bald eagles, which feed on fish coming up in waters below the dam. A large bird sanctuary is located in an area of floodplain and wetlands on the west side of the river.

The River Road goes right next to the river north to Grafton. Above that, it is often routed inland of the floodplain. It provides views of the dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to the broad, flat, green agricultural countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri. The Great River Road is a popular bicycle touring route. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny village of Elsah, once a down-and-dirty, liquor-soaked tugboaters' retreat, now with renovated properties and antique shops in historic houses.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,949.3 PD/sqmi. There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 888.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.3% White, 24.7% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 12,518 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% 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 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,213, and the median income for a family was $37,910. Males had a median income of $33,083 versus $22,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,817. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Alton became a town of heavy industry and manufacturing. Laclede Steel established major steel manufacturing operations in the town. Local industry also includes Cope Plastics and Hanley Industries. Alton was home to once-thriving, now defunct, industries such as the Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Works and Alton Box Board Company (a maker of all types of cardboard boxes for all types of uses).

Restructuring in the industry in the mid-20th century led Alton to create a new future. It has facilities for corporate and vacation retreats and it has transitioned into a popular tourist destination. Alton's location and historical heritage make it a popular destination for antique shopping, touring historic areas, and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina; nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, the only Arnold Palmer-designed and -managed course in Illinois or the St. Louis Metropolitan area; fine dining and night life; and a large selection of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses.

Some visitors come to explore the natural environment of the area. A designated bikeway extends for miles north of town along the Mississippi River and below the limestone bluffs; its relatively flat grade and passage through tree-shaded areas makes it an easy ride for families. During the migration seasons, Alton is a destination for birdwatchers along the Mississippi Flyway; winter visitors come to see the bald eagles that roost on the Illinois limestone bluffs and feed on fish in the river. It is the area of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. A few miles to the north is Père Marquette State Park, with a WPA-era lodge and attractions including trails for hikers and riders, and horses for hire.

On January 28, 2010, Illinois was selected for a $1.2 billion federal award to bring high-speed passenger rail service to Illinois by 2015–2017. Alton has been selected as a station stop on a line running from St. Louis to Chicago, and opened on September 13, 2017.

Alton won the Small Business Revolution: Main Street contest and got a $100,000 boost to its community.

Arts
Alton is home to the Jacoby Arts Center (JAC) (formerly the Madison County Arts Council), a not-for-profit organization that supports local arts and art education and is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council. It is located on Broadway between Henry and Ridge Streets in the building that housed the Jacoby Furniture Store for nearly 100 years. The JAC is a regional arts center, serving 17 counties throughout south central Illinois, providing a public art gallery, art classes in a variety of media for adults and children, strong performing arts programming including a monthly live music performance, and an outlet to the literary arts, through such programs as the "Poetry Out Loud" high school-level competition and support of the Alton Writers Guild.

Alton is also home to the Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). As of 2011, the ASO was in its 66th season, and is considered one of the premier community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from young adults in their teens to senior citizens. It holds four regular season concerts, a stylish pops concert, and a children's concert; the symphony offers performances to entertain and educate diverse sectors of the community.

Theater
Founded in 1934 as a community theater, the Alton Little Theater continues to produce a full season of dramatic and comedic plays and musicals. Its all-volunteer members bring quality theater productions to Alton in an intimate setting. The Alton high schools all offer theatrical productions throughout the school year as well.

Alton Children's Theater, founded in 1958 by Solveig Sullivan, has provided live theater for children through the years. The plays are now held at Lewis and Clark Community College's Hatheway Hall. For many years, the company has performed for up to 10,000 children annually. This all-volunteer membership hires a professional director, who works with the members for the annual week of performances.

Landmarks

 * The Piasa Bird painting, reproduction of original on the face of a cliff north-west of the city.
 * Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument, a 110-foot tall memorial to the famous abolitionist and free speech advocate who was murdered by a pro-slavery mob. The monument is in Alton Cemetery on the bluffs.
 * A monument to 1354 Confederate soldiers who died in the Alton prison, at the North Alton Confederate Cemetery.
 * The Franklin House, later known as the Lincoln Hotel, and now the Lincoln Lofts. Lincoln dined here and may have stayed overnight when in Alton for his seventh debate with Stephen Douglas on October 15, 1858. Statues of Lincoln and Douglas mark Lincoln Douglas Square, at the corner of Landmarks and Broadway. This was the site of their last debate before the 1858 Illinois Senatorial Election.
 * The Beall Mansion, designed by notable architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger and built in 1902 and 1903. It has been the private residence of Edmond Beall, four-time mayor of Alton and state senator.
 * St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church; more than 150 years old, it served as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Alton under three bishops (1857 to 1923). In 1923 the cathedral seat of the diocese was moved from Alton to Springfield.
 * First Unitarian Church located at 110 E. Third Street, was built upon the foundation of St. Matthew's Catholic Church which had previously burned in the 1850s, is one of Alton's most popular ghost hunting sites in the city. The church is supposedly haunted by former pastor Philip Mercer who committed suicide on November 20, 1934, within the church. It was also a popular stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.
 * The Mineral Springs Hotel, located at 301 East Broadway, was opened in 1914 due to the natural spring located on the property. During its heyday, in 1918, Hollywood actress Marie Dressler spoke at the hotel on behalf of the Liberty Loan committee. The hotel closed in 1971 and became an outlet mall in 1978 and has been in operation ever since. It is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the city, drawing ghosts hunters from all around the U.S.
 * A statue of Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest fully documented man in the recorded history of the world.
 * The cable-stayed Clark Bridge (1994).
 * Meeting of the Rivers National Scenic Byway, runs through the city adjacent to its Riverfront Park.
 * Argosy Casino Alton, owned by Penn National Gaming.
 * National Great Rivers Museum includes daily tours of Melvin Price Locks and Dam, the newest and busiest lock and dam complex on the main channel of the Mississippi River.
 * Audubon Center at Riverlands on the south side of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, includes a small museum and is a well-known spot for birding enthusiasts.
 * Alton Riverfront Amphitheater in Alton's Riverfront Park, has views of the Mississippi River, Clark Bridge and Alton Marina.

Education
Based on 2006 district data, Alton Community Unit School District 11 enrollment stands at 6,480; the average number of teaching years in the district is 13.5; the high school graduation rate is 97.7%; the elementary pupil-teacher ratio is 18.9; and the secondary pupil-teacher ratio is 22.3. The Alton High School has an award-winning math team and music program. Alton High School offers an honors program.

Alton High School is the new public school, complete with a three-court gymnasium and six tennis courts.

The Alton Middle School is housed in the old Alton High School complex. Alton Middle School serves grades 6–8. The school is made up of three buildings: the main building, annex, and Olin Building. The Main building is the oldest. It is of architectural interest for its Romanesque design. Alton Middle School is the largest middle school in Illinois, with approximately 1,500 students.

The school system has a student program for 1st through 8th grades, covering the Middle School. This program gives participating students access to wider knowledge as well as special projects.

Marquette Catholic High School, named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette, serves the area as well. Its sports teams are called the Explorers.

Alton was home to Shurtleff College from 1827 to 1957 and prominent military prep school Western Military Academy from 1879 to 1971. The Shurtleff campus is now the site of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.

Transportation
Alton station provides Amtrak intercity rail service along the Lincoln Service route. Trains travel north to Chicago Union Station, and south to Gateway Transportation Center in St. Louis. Madison County Transit provides bus service in the city with hubs downtown and at the Amtrak station.

Media
Alton has one daily newspaper, The Telegraph, formerly the Alton Evening Telegraph. The Telegraph provides coverage of local news, as well as sports and relevant national news.

''Locally owned Big Z Media operates Radio Station WBGZ 1570AM and 107.1FM and Music Radio Station 94.3FM. In 2022, Big Z Media acquired AdVantage News'', a free online (daily) and print newspaper, focusing on community features and hyperlocal news.

Alton also has internet-based resource, Riverbender.com. Named for the local bend in the Mississippi River, Riverbender is a portal serving local and national news, sports, obits, classifieds, and events. In 2007 it was the first company to broadcast the Alton High School's sports games live online.

Film and television
The 1979 feature film Dreamer, starring Tim Matheson, Susan Blakely and Jack Warden, was primarily shot on location in Alton. The McPike Mansion and Mineral Springs Hotel were featured on the Travel Channel series, Ghost Adventures. Alton was featured on the third season of the Hulu series Small Business Revolution.

Notable people

 * Jesse Anderson, murderer who stabbed his wife to death in 1992; murdered in prison alongside serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer by Christopher Scarver in 1994
 * David J. Apple, pioneer in ophthalmological research and ophthalmic pathology; medical historian and biographer; born in Alton
 * Frank Ballard, puppeteer, professor at the University of Connecticut, and founder of the first puppetry bachelor of fine arts program in the United States
 * Amos E. Benbow, Illinois state legislator
 * Alexander Botkin, Wisconsin state senator
 * George T. Brown, newspaper editor, mayor of Alton 1846–47, U.S. Senate sergeant-of-arms 1861–69
 * Joseph Brown, miller, steamboat captain, mayor of Alton 1856–57, mayor of St. Louis 1871–75
 * Samuel A. Buckmaster, prison warden, and state legislator
 * Jonathan Russell Bullock, Rhode Island state legislator and US federal judge; served on the Alton city council
 * Dick Burwell, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
 * John W. Coppinger, lawyer, Illinois state legislator, mayor of Alton
 * Anthony W. Daly, Illinois state representative, judge, and lawyer
 * Levi Davis, Illinois State Auditor and lawyer
 * Miles Davis, jazz musician
 * Steve Davis, Illinois state legislator
 * AnnMaria De Mars, technology executive, author and judoka
 * Ezekiel Elliott, NFL running back
 * Herbert G. Giberson, Illinois state senator and businessman
 * David Goins, first African-American mayor of Alton
 * Lloyd Nelson Hand, Chief of Protocol of the United States (1965–66) and assistant to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson (1957–61)
 * Craig Hentrich, NFL football player
 * Charles A. Herb, merchant, mayor of Alton, Illinois State Senator
 * Michael Ann Holly, art historian and mother of actress Lauren Holly
 * Mary Beth Hughes, actress
 * Donald Juel, Lutheran educator and scholar
 * Don Lenhardt, outfielder, first baseman, third baseman, scout and coach with several MLB teams
 * Lawrence Leritz, Broadway, Film, TV, Dance and Recording
 * Stephen Harriman Long, U.S. army explorer, topographical engineer, and railway engineer, retired and died in Alton
 * Elijah Lovejoy, abolitionist
 * Bill Lyons, infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Trevor Mann, a.k.a. Ricochet, professional wrestler in the WWE
 * Barrelhouse Buck McFarland, blues and boogie-woogie pianist and singer
 * Jumbo McGinnis, pitcher for the St. Louis Brown Stockings
 * Salim Nourallah, musician and producer
 * Edward O'Hare, Medal of Honor recipient; O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in his honor; graduate of Western Military Academy in Alton
 * John M. Olin, inventor, industrialist, philanthropist
 * William S. Paley, founder and chairman of the board of directors of CBS Corp.; graduate of Western Military Academy in Alton
 * James Earl Ray, convicted for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
 * Arch Reilly, infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Red Rhodes, musician and steel guitarist
 * Christina Romer, 25th Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
 * Rosey Rowswell, baseball broadcaster for Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Andrew Schlafly, son of Phyllis Schlafly, attorney, homeschool teacher, Christian conservative activist, and founder of Conservapedia
 * Phyllis Schlafly, conservative author, constitutional lawyer, and activist, known for her role in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment in the late 1970s and early 1980s
 * Thomas N. Scortia, authored novel adapted into film The Towering Inferno
 * William Sears, doctor and author of several popular books on pregnancy and parenting
 * Dale Swann, character actor
 * Richard Thatcher, Union Civil War soldier and first president of Territorial Normal School, now the University of Central Oklahoma
 * Paul Tibbets Jr., pilot of the Enola Gay; graduated from Western Military Academy in Alton
 * Lyman Trumbull, United States Senator from Illinois and coauthor of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
 * Louis Unser, auto racer; Unser family patriarch, and nine-time Pikes Peak Hill Climb winner
 * Robert Wadlow, at 8 feet and 11.1 inches, the tallest known person in history
 * Minor Watson, stage and screen actor
 * Jesse White, 37th Secretary of State of Illinois
 * Beals Wright, Hall of Fame tennis player, died in Alton
 * Rick Yager, cartoonist

title: Alton, Illinois


text:
Bethalto, Illinois

Bethalto is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. Bethalto, like the rest of Madison County, is part of the Illinois Metro East portion of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

Early in its history, the village was a railway town along the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad. In the 19th century, industry in the town included milling of grain from local farms and coal mining. In the early 20th century, the railroad was rerouted to go through nearby Edwardsville. By the mid 20th century, the rail industry had pulled out entirely and the village became known as a bedroom town.

At the 2020 census, the population of Bethalto was 9,310.

Toponymy
The name "Bethalto" is commonly believed to be derived from Bethel (the original name of the town) and nearby Alton. The name "Bethel" came from the first church located in the area, with the Post Office Department requiring it to change its name to avoid confusion with the Clay County village of Bethel.

Early history
Before pioneering American settlers arrived, there were numerous Native Americans in the area, and Kickapoo villages lined nearby Indian Creek. In 1804, a man named Thomas Rattan arrived in the area from Ohio and established the first pioneer settlement, often referred to in those days as "Rattan's Prairie". The town was laid out by Joel U. Starkey, with the town plat being recorded June 23, 1854.

Milling industry
In the late 1800s, the principal industry of Bethalto was milling. In 1859, the President Mill and Elevator Company was established by James Neimrich. The company was bought, sold and expanded various times over the years, eventually coming into the ownership of John W. Kaufman in 1881. In either 1895 or 1896, the flour mill was destroyed in a fire. Kauffman declined to rebuild the mill, instead opting to purchase the Eagle flour mill of St. Louis. The loss of the mill had a profound impact on the village. In 1890, the population of Bethalto was 879. By 1900, it had fallen to 477 and in 1910 the population of the village was just 447.

1996 plane crash
On June 19, 1996, a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet crashed into a home, shortly after taking off from St. Louis Regional Airport. The plane originally belonged to the US Navy, but had been leased back to the manufacturer, McDonnell Douglas. A spokesperson for McDonnell Douglass said the pilot had been practicing for an air show the next week in the Czech Republic. One eyewitness stated, "He started doing an outside roll ... and when he got to the top of the roll something went wrong; he stalled or something. He started coming down, and I lost him behind some trees. Then I heard a thump―not an explosion, just a loud thump―and I knew what'd happened."

Red Barn
A longtime landmark just north of Bethalto was an old barn at the intersection of Culp Lane and Bethalto Road, known to residents as simply "the red barn". On July 26, 2012, the owner of the barn was spraying insecticides inside the barn to kill wasps. After spraying for wasps, the owner left and at some point a fire broke out. Fosterburg, Bethalto and Brighton volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, but it was too late to save the structure. It was believed the barn had been there for around a hundred years. Often, residents would give directions based on the red barn.

Governance
Bethalto was incorporated in 1869 under a special charter, and later incorporated again in 1873 under Illinois general law. The village is governed by an elected village president and a board of village trustees, who are elected at-large.

Geography
Bethalto is located in northwestern Madison County at 38.90417°N, -90.04667°W (38.904197, -90.046579). It is 9 mi east of Alton, 10 mi northwest of Edwardsville, the county seat, and 30 mi north-northeast of St. Louis.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bethalto has a total area of 7.64 sqmi, of which 7.59 sqmi are land and 0.05 sqmi, or 0.63%, are water. Most of the village drains west to the East Fork of the Wood River, a southwest-flowing direct tributary of the Mississippi River. The east part of the village drains east to Indian Creek, a south-flowing tributary of Cahokia Creek, which joins the Mississippi in Hartford.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,454 people, 3,810 households, and 2,647 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,437.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,007 housing units at an average density of 609.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.84% White, 0.76% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 3,810 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% 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 2.98.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,201, and the median income for a family was $50,764. Males had a median income of $41,512 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,697. About 6.5% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Highways
Bethalto is connected to the region by several routes. Illinois Route 140 is the main east-west highway running through the village, leading east 10 mi to Hamel and west 9 mi to Alton. Illinois Route 111 joins with Illinois Route 140 from the south, connecting the village to the rest of the Metro East. It leads south 3.5 mi to Wood River and west 7 mi to the northern part of Alton. In October 2006, Illinois Route 255, a four-lane, controlled-access highway, was extended from Illinois Route 143 in Wood River to Fosterburg Road, passing through the west side of Bethalto. IL 255 leads south 10 mi to Interstate 255 in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, connecting Bethalto to the Interstate Highway System, and now leads northwest 9 mi to U.S. Route 67 in Godfrey.

St. Louis Regional Airport
Bethalto is home to St. Louis Regional Airport. Originally called Civic Memorial Airport, St. Louis Regional was founded in 1946 with a ballot measure approving the creation of the Civic Memorial Airport Authority. The airport is home to various services, including West Star Aviation, a fixed-base operator.

Education
Public schools in Bethalto are operated by Bethalto Community Unit School District 8, which was founded in 1950 along with Civic Memorial High School. The village is also home to Our Lady Queen of Peace, a Catholic school founded in 1962 under Father Thomas Manning, and a Lutheran school also founded in 1962, Zion Lutheran. Both parochial schools offer kindergarten through eighth grade classes.

Religious organizations
Bethalto is home to a number of religious organizations, consisting of both small and large congregations.

Churches that serve Bethalto are listed here in alphabetical order:

 * Assembly of God
 * Bethalto United Methodist
 * Bethalto United Presbyterian
 * Bible Baptist Church
 * Church of God
 * Church of the Nazarene (IL District Office)
 * Cornerstone Church
 * Concordia Lutheran
 * Cottage Hills Baptist Church
 * First Baptist Church
 * First Church of God
 * First Christian Church
 * First Southern Baptist Church
 * Grace Community Church
 * Heart's Harvest
 * Landmark Worship Center
 * Lifebrook Church
 * New Witness Fellowship
 * Meadowbrook Assembly of God
 * Metro Presbyterian Church
 * Our Lady Queen of Peace
 * Riverbend Calvary Chapel
 * Lifepoint Church - Bethalto Campus
 * St. Paul's United Methodist
 * Zion Lutheran

Central Park
Central Park is in the center of the village, behind the current village hall, and sits on $10 1⁄3$ acres of land purchased from New York Central Railroad when the rail line closed in Bethalto. The park consists of a walking path, band stand, lighted tennis courts, baseball fields, and a basketball court. The Bethalto Homecoming is held at the park every year.

Bethalto Arboretum
Adjacent to Central Park is the Bethalto Arboretum. This arboretum was developed in 1966 on former railroad property, much like Central Park. A directory of trees and bushes contained in the arboretum may be viewed in the mayor's and clerk's offices. There are also many plaques, in memory of Bethalto's notable persons, placed next to many of the trees in the park. A set of rail wheels on top of a short slab of railroad track lie in the center of the park. The short piece of track remains in its original position as part of the old railroad tracks that existed to transport coal to and from the area. In April 2021, the arboretum was recognized with ArbNet accreditation. A time capsule was buried at the dedication ceremony, and a commemorative plaque sits at the entrance.

Steve Bryant Park
Known as "Culp Lane Park" until 2014, Bryant Park is on the northwest end of town. Features include a fishing lake, a children's play area, walking paths, pavilions, a playground, and stretches of attractive landscaping. The park was named for former mayor Steve Bryant, who was instrumental in transforming the town lagoon into a family park.

Bethalto Sports Complex
The Bethalto Sports Complex is located on the north side of town just off Culp Lane. The complex was completed in 2006 and is made up of two baseball fields, two softball fields, two soccer fields, a grandstand, and a concession stand. The complex, which is maintained by the Village of Bethalto, replaced the old baseball and soccer fields located at Civic Memorial High School for varsity and junior varsity baseball, softball and soccer teams. The Indians, the Bethalto Legion team, also calls the complex home.

Southside Park
Southside Park (sometimes referred to as the "Field of Dreams") is located on the south side of town in the Chateaux residential area. The complex consists of four lighted diamonds with a concession stand in the center. The fields are primarily set up to handle all of the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America youth baseball and softball games. The fields are also home to a number of private and select league baseball teams that play there every summer.

Notable people

 * Wilbur Trimpe (1906-1996), first superintendent of Bethalto Community Unit School District 8, third president of Lewis and Clark Community College
 * Steve Davis (born 1949), former representative in the Illinois General Assembly
 * Alison Krauss, bluegrass-country singer and musician, often rehearsed in Bethalto with Mike Harman and the Harman Family Bluegrass Band. Mike Harman was an original member of Union Station.
 * Joe Odom (born 1979), American football player for the Chicago Bears
 * Brent Madison (born 1989), producer of The Crusades (2023 film).

title: Bethalto, Illinois