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Varna, Illinois

Varna is a village in Marshall County, Illinois, United States. The population was 375 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The village was named for Varna, Bulgaria.

Geography
Varna is in eastern Marshall County, northeast of the intersection of Illinois Routes 17 and 89. IL 89 passes through the west side of the village as Pine Street, leading north 6 mi to Magnolia and south 4 mi to La Rose. IL 17 runs along the southern border of the village, about half a mile south of the village center; it leads west 9 mi to Lacon, the Marshall county seat, and east 11 mi to Wenona.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Varna has a total area of 0.30 sqmi, all land. The village is drained to the west by tributaries of Shaw Creek and to the east by a tributary of Sandy Creek, part of the Illinois River watershed.

3 mi northwest of Varna and within the village's postal zone is the 1400 acre gated community of Lake Wildwood, which was developed in the 1970s around a man-made 220 acre lake on Shaw Creek. In September 2015, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency completed a watershed management project to stabilize the source water of Shaw Creek and prevent natural sediment from entering the watershed.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 436 people, 177 households, and 138 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,488.2 PD/sqmi. There were 190 housing units at an average density of 648.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.85% White, 0.23% African American, 0.46% Native American, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 176 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% 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 2.77.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,308, and the median income for a family was $36,591. Males had a median income of $37,321 versus $20,694 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,948. About 3.0% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Varna, Illinois


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Washburn, Illinois

Washburn is a village mostly in Woodford County, with a small northerly portion in Marshall County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,032 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Washburn is an agricultural community in north-central Illinois. It is located in northern Woodford County at 40.92°N, -89.29167°W (40.9174,-89.2915), with a small portion extending north into Marshall County. Illinois Route 89 forms the main north–south road through Washburn as Jefferson Street; it leads southwest 10 mi to Metamora and northeast 9 mi to Varna. Downtown Peoria is 25 mi to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washburn has a total area of 0.72 sqmi, all land. Snag Creek flows through the village, running west to the Illinois River near Chillicothe.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,147 people, 436 households, and 309 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,576.6 PD/sqmi. There were 476 housing units at an average density of 654.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.38% White, 0.17% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 436 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% 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 3.16.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $44,167, and the median income for a family was $50,385. Males had a median income of $35,096 versus $22,188 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,619. About 4.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Bob Barnes, pitcher with the Chicago White Sox
 * James Frank Duryea, built and road-tested America's first gasoline-powered car ]
 * Clifford C. Ireland, U.S. congressman, 1917–1923
 * George Henry Lesch, CEO of Colgate-Palmolive (1960–1971)

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

title: Washburn, Illinois


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Wenona, Illinois

Wenona is a city in Marshall and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 974 at the 2020 census.

The Marshall County portion of Wenona is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in LaSalle County is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Around 1852, the first buildings had been erected within the town, including living quarters for the rail-men, the freight depot, and passenger station. This same year, the house for Gr. W. Goodwell, Wenona's station agent and first postmaster, was completed. Along with the post office, in June 1854, the Presbyterian Church was set up. During the winter months of 1854, W.M Brown arrived in Wenona with a large stock of goods; a building was constructed to accommodate his sales. Wenona was laid off by the Illinois Central Railroad Company on May 15, 1855. At the time, the town had around nine buildings and fifty permanent citizens. By 1858 it had grown rapidly, and was now a thrifty village of several hundred inhabitants, with two hotels, a number of stores, and other branches of business in proportion.

A great amount of grain was annually shipped at this point, and a considerable amount of trade was carried on with the surrounding country. The largest single industry contributing to the growth and prosperity of Wenona was its coal mine, located in the northeast quarter of the town, east of the Illinois Central tracks. The mine was opened under the Hamilton-Hodge-Monser partnership and was incorporated November 9, 1882, as the Wenona Coal Company. The partnership was soon dissolved, and ownership passed on to E. L. Monser, with George S. Monser production manager and W. E. Monser sales manager. The vein of coal varied from 3 ft to 4 ft. Peak employment numbered 550 miners and the average payroll approximated $30,000 per month, paid to employees in gold coin for a number of years, later cash at the mine and finally by checks at the bank. The mine operated from 1882 to 1924, at which time it was closed never to reopen. A new union scale was said to have made it unprofitable for the company to continue mining such a thin vein.

It was during the operation of the mine and World War I that the population of Wenona reached an all-time high of 1892 inhabitants. It was said by old timers that on the day after pay-day at the mines, the Chicago & Alton depot was so crowded with people that the railroad could not accommodate its out-of-town passengers.

At the height of the Cold War, the highest spot in town played a role in US defense. Beginning in April 1958, atop the slag pile from the old Wenona coal mine, a radar station was developed which was equipped to detect incoming missiles and enemy airplanes potentially headed to Chicago or Milwaukee. The radar station was manned by approximately 20 troops from the 45th AAA Brigade and the 105th Signal Corps Detachment. It could detect aircraft as far up as 75000 ft in any direction, and as far away as 200 nmi. The Wenona station was one of ten stations set up in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin within 200 mi of Chicago in the Chicago Air Defense System. The radar station included two metal buildings and the radar antenna. The base of the slag pile was surrounded by a six-strand barbed-wire fence. Prior to constructing the buildings on top of the slag pile, 30 ft were graded off the top and a circular roadway was built around the slag pile from bottom to top. At least three men who served at the Wenona Radar Station settled in Wenona after completion. The Army left Wenona in 1959, but before leaving town, planted the seeds on the mound which gave way to the beautiful forestry seen today.

The Wenona Coal Mine Historical Site was dedicated by members of the Wenona Historical Society on August 10, 2018, during the Wenona Days celebration.

Geography
Most of the city lies in Marshall County, although two small areas of about a block each extend east into southern LaSalle County. In the 2000 census, all of Wenona's 1,065 residents lived in Marshall County. As of 2022, Wenona has a total area of 0.74 sqmi, all land.

Illinois Route 17 passes through Wenona as Chestnut Street. The highway leads east 35 mi to Dwight and west 20 mi to Lacon, the Marshall county seat. Illinois Route 251 joins Route 17 on Chestnut Street through the center of Wenona but leads north 7 mi to Lostant and south 5 mi to Rutland. Interstate 39 passes just west of Wenona, with access from Exit 35 south of the city; I-39 leads north 24 mi to La Salle and south 40 mi to Normal.

Wenona is drained to the north by tributaries of Sandy Creek, which flows west to the Illinois River at Henry.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 974 people, 488 households, and 256 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,323.37 PD/sqmi. There were 497 housing units at an average density of 675.27 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.63% White, 2.67% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.85% from other races, and 4.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.85% of the population.

There were 488 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.84% were married couples living together, 15.78% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.54% were non-families. 38.52% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.29% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 2.20.

The city's age distribution consisted of 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,179, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $42,917 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,417. About 18.4% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Wenona, Illinois


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Bath, Illinois

Bath is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 279 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Bath is in southwestern Mason County, on a low bluff overlooking the Illinois River valley to the west. Illinois Route 78 passes through the village center as Oak Street, leading northeast (upriver) 9 mi to Havana, the county seat, and south 10 mi to Chandlerville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bath has a total area of 0.36 sqmi, all land. The East Branch of the Illinois River, a channel that forms the east side of Grand Island, serves as the northwest border of the village.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 310 people, 130 households, and 86 families residing in the village. The population density was 848.9 PD/sqmi. There were 153 housing units at an average density of 419.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 96.45% White, 0.32% African American, 0.97% Native American, and 2.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 130 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% 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 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,208, and the median income for a family was $31,875. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,262. About 22.2% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 3.2% of those 65 or over.

Events
Bath is host to the annual midsummer Redneck Fishing Tournament.

Notable people

 * Mark Clark, pitcher for several Major League Baseball teams; grew up in Bath

title: Bath, Illinois


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Easton, Illinois

Easton is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the village population was 312.

History
Easton was laid out in the 1870s and named for Oliver C. Easton, an original owner of the town site. A post office has been in operation at Easton since 1873.

Geography
Easton is located in central Mason County at 40.23222°N, -89.84333°W (40.232331, -89.843336). Illinois Route 10 passes through the village as its Main Street, leading east 8 mi to Mason City and north 4 mi to its terminus at U.S. Route 136. Havana, the Mason county seat, is 14 mi northwest of Easton.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Easton has a total area of 0.24 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 373 people, 151 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,599.5 PD/sqmi. There were 167 housing units at an average density of 716.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.46% White and 0.54% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 151 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% 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 2.87.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,045, and the median income for a family was $38,125. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,745. None of the families and 1.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 3.3% of those over 64.

Local attractions

 * Revis Hill Prairie State Natural Area, 6 mi south of Easton

title: Easton, Illinois


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Forest City, Illinois

Forest City is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 222 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Forest City is located in northern Mason County at 40.37°N, -89.82944°W (40.370103, -89.829504). It is 16 mi northeast of Havana, the county seat, and 15 mi northwest of San Jose.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Forest City has a total area of 0.52 sqmi, all land. Sand Ridge State Forest occupies hilly country to the northwest.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 287 people, 101 households, and 81 families residing in the village. The population density was 547.8 PD/sqmi. There were 105 housing units at an average density of 200.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.61% White, 1.05% Native American, and 0.35% from two or more races.

There were 101 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.3% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 13.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $27,000 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,855. About 4.3% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

title: Forest City, Illinois


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Havana, Illinois

Havana is a city and the county seat of Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2020 census, a decline from the figure of 3,301 tabulated in 2010.

History
Havana was a major ancient American settlement two thousand years ago, when the largest verified mound of the Western Hopewell Culture was built. Local landmarks were mentioned in the journals of French explorers in the late 1600s. A religious medal dating from the early 1700s suggests that there was missionary activity in what is now Havana. When permanent English-speaking residents arrived in 1822, there was a Pottawatomie village on the site. A ferry was established to the western bank of the Illinois River to a road that followed the Spoon River. There were War of 1812 bounty lands in western Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln was a frequent visitor to Havana between his days as a soldier in the Black Hawk Wars until at least his three-hour speech on the Rockwell Mound while he was running for the US Senate in 1858. Stephen Douglas had spoken there the day before. When he was younger, Lincoln rode a mail route from New Salem to Havana. Later, he was a local surveyor, and then an itinerant attorney. Mason County was the only place where Lincoln owned farmland. The English-speaking settlement was originally called "Ross's Ferry" and was later named after Havana, the capital of Cuba. Havana was notorious as a gambling river town, and it is reported that names such as Al Capone would hunt, fish, and gamble in the local clubs.

Geography
Havana is located in western Mason County on the Illinois River. U.S. Route 136 passes through the city as Dearborn Street, South Promenade Street, and East Laurel Street, leading east 24 mi to San Jose and west 40 mi to Macomb. US 136 crosses the Illinois River on the Scott Wike Lucas Bridge. Illinois Routes 78 and 97 join US 136 passing through Havana and crossing the Illinois River. IL 78 leads south-southwest (downriver) 9 mi to Bath and north 21 mi to Canton, while IL 97 leads south-southeast 11 mi to Kilbourne and northwest 11 mi to Lewistown. Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is 8 mi northeast of Havana, along the Illinois River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Havana has a total area of 2.94 sqmi, of which 2.78 sqmi are land and 0.17 sqmi, or 5.61%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,577 people, 1,467 households, and 981 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,361.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,587 housing units at an average density of 603.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.49% White, 0.14% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 1,467 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,316, and the median income for a family was $35,684. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $21,215 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,781. About 10.2% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Fred Beck, MLB player for the Boston Doves, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies
 * Roy Hamey, MLB general manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Phillies and New York Yankees
 * Scott W. Lucas, U.S. senator from Illinois
 * Paul Samuell, Illinois Supreme Court justice

title: Havana, Illinois


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Kilbourne, Illinois

Kilbourne is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 265 at the 2020 census, down from 302 in 2010.

Geography
Kilbourne is located in southern Mason County at 40.15168°N, -90.00963°W. Illinois Route 97 runs through the east side of the village, leading north 11 mi to Havana, the county seat, and southeast 14 mi to Petersburg.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kilbourne has a total area of 0.89 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 375 people, 147 households and 103 families residing in the village. The population density was 353.2 PD/sqmi. There were 159 housing units at an average density of 149.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.07% White, 0.27% African American, 1.87% Native American, 0.27% Asian, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 147 households, of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.13.

29.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.

The median household income was $26,000 and the median family income was $30,875. Males had a median income of $28,125 compared with $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,710. About 20.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Kilbourne, Illinois


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Manito, Illinois

Manito is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,552 at the 2020 census, down from 1,642 in 2010. On March 31, 2023, an EFU tornado struck northwest of the village.

Geography
Manito is located in northeastern Mason County. The northernmost border of the village follows the Tazewell County line. Manito is 5 mi northeast of Forest City and 20 mi northeast of Havana, the Mason county seat. Manito is 27 mi southwest of Peoria.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Manito has a total area of 1.51 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,733 people, 686 households, and 506 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,126.0 PD/sqmi. There were 723 housing units at an average density of 469.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.08% White, 0.23% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 686 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% 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 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,767, and the median income for a family was $48,438. Males had a median income of $36,927 versus $21,506 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,345. About 5.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Palmer Flying Service Airport, formerly Manito Mitchell Airport, is a privately owned airport in Tazewell County, 5 mi north of Manito's central business district.

Notable people

 * Henry Alfred Clauser, guitarist, songwriter and engineer featured on radio shows in Des Moines and Tulsa
 * Joseph E. Daily, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; born in Manito
 * Helen Heckman, dancer, born in Manito
 * H. V. Porter, educator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

title: Manito, Illinois


text:
Mason City, Illinois

Mason City is a city in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,077 at the 2020 census, down from 2,343 in 2010.

History
Mason City was established in 1857. The city took its name from Mason County.

Geography
Mason City is located in eastern Mason County at 40.20306°N, -89.69611°W (40.202965, -89.696109). Illinois Route 10 passes through the city as Chestnut Street, leading east 19 mi to Lincoln and west 8 mi to Easton. Havana, the Mason county seat, is 22 mi to the northwest of Mason City. Illinois Route 29 touches the western edge of the city, leading north 29 mi to Pekin and south 32 mi to Springfield, the state capital.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mason City has a total area of 1.01 sqmi, all land. The village drains to the south toward Salt Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Sangamon River and part of the Illinois River watershed.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 2,558 people, 1,041 households and 681 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,599.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,127 housing units at an average density of 1,145.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.06% White, 0.04% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 1,041 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.95.

Age distribution was 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median household income was $35,615, and the median family income was $47,991. Males had a median income of $35,058 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,411. About 6.8% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Gordon Buehrig, automobile designer, born in Mason City
 * John Fahay, professional football player, born in Mason City
 * John Means (AKA: "Dr. Gonzo"), stand-up comic, toured with Huey Lewis and the News, born in Mason City
 * Clyde E. Stone, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, born near Mason City
 * Joe Sullivan, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Braves, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates; born in Mason City
 * Hallie Paxson Winsborough, Presbyterian church leader, anti-lynching activist, born in Mason City
 * Vic Wunderle, archer, winner of the Olympic Individual Silver Medal (2000)

title: Mason City, Illinois


text:
Topeka, Illinois

Topeka is an incorporated village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 60 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Topeka is located in northern Mason County. It is 9 mi northeast of Havana, the county seat, and 7 mi southwest of Forest City.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Topeka has a total area of 0.14 sqmi, all land. Mason Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Illinois River, passes just south of the village limits.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 90 people, 36 households, and 28 families residing in the town. The population density was 648.0 PD/sqmi. There were 36 housing units at an average density of 259.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.56% White, and 4.44% from two or more races.

There were 36 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,750, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $45,938 versus $0 for females The per capita income for the town was $39,651. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

title: Topeka, Illinois


text:
Brookport, Illinois

Brookport is a city in Massac County, Illinois, United States. The population was 725 at the 2020 census, down from 984 in 2010. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Brookport was founded by Charles Pell in 1855. It was originally known as "Pellonia," after Pell. The small city declined within a few years, but saw a resurgence with the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad nearby in the late 1880s. It was reincorporated as "Brooklyn" in 1888. The name was changed to "Brookport", a portmanteau of "Brooklyn" and "port," in 1901.

Geography
Brookport is located in southeastern Massac County at 37.125°N, -88.62722°W (37.125056, -88.627218). It is situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, opposite Paducah, Kentucky. U.S. Route 45 traverses the city, connecting it with Paducah across the river to the south and Interstate 24 near Metropolis to the northwest. US 45 crosses the river on the Brookport Bridge, which is officially known as the "Irvin S. Cobb Bridge" in honor of author Irvin S. Cobb, who was born in Paducah. The two-lane steel deck truss bridge was completed in 1929. Ohio River Lock and Dam Number 52, operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, was located 1 mi downstream from Brookport.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Brookport has a total area of 0.66 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 1.06%, are water.

Demographics
As of the U.S. census of 2000, there were 1,054 people, 450 households, and 283 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,321.8 PD/sqmi. There were 519 housing units at an average density of 650.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.61% White, 7.12% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 450 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,438, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $19,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,751. About 16.2% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Brookport, Illinois


text:
Joppa, Illinois

Joppa is a village in Massac County, Illinois, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 350 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
During the first part of the 19th century, a riverboat landing known as Copeland's Landing operated at what is now Joppa. In the early 1870s, A.J. Kuykendall, a prominent local land owner, and Jesse Baccus, who operated a local sawmill, decided to establish a town. They named the town after the Biblical city of Joppa (in modern Israel). After the arrival of the railroad in 1900, the village thrived for several years as a river-to-rail transloading station. Joppa incorporated in 1901. Joppa has since lost a lot of population and stores, now only having a school and a few hundred people living there.

Geography
Joppa is located in western Massac County at 37.2075°N, -88.84306°W (37.207399, -88.843033). The village lies along the Ohio River downstream from Metropolis, Illinois, and Paducah, Kentucky. Metropolis is 8 mi southeast of Joppa, and Paducah is 20 mi to the southeast. County Road 5 connects Joppa with U.S. Route 45 near Metropolis to the east. The Joppa Generating Station, a coal and natural gas power plant operated by Electric Energy, Inc., lies just west of the village.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Joppa has a total area of 0.50 sqmi, of which 0.02 sqmi, or 3.57%, are water.

2010
According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, 360 persons lived in the village:
 * 89.2% White; 85.8% White, non-Hispanic
 * 8.6% Black
 * 0.6% Native American
 * 0.0% Asian
 * 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
 * 1.7% Two or more races
 * 0.0% Other races
 * 3.3% Hispanic or Latino (all White)

2000
In 2000, there were 409 people, 165 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 838.2 PD/sqmi. There were 203 housing units at an average density of 416.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 88.26% White, 7.58% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.98% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.

There were 165 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $17,813, and the median income for a family was $20,729. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $16,607 for females. The per capita income for the village was $8,890. About 34.3% of families and 44.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 65.1% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Joppa, Illinois


text:
Metropolis, Illinois

Metropolis is a city and the county seat in Massac County, Illinois, United States. It is located by the Ohio River. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 5,969, down from 6,537 in 2010. Metropolis is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area in Southern Illinois.

History
Located on the Ohio River, the Metropolis area has been settled by many different peoples throughout history. For thousands of years, varying cultures of Native Americans populated the area. The most complex society was the Mississippian culture, which reached its peak around AD 1100 and built a large city at Cahokia, near the Mississippi River and present-day Collinsville, Illinois, to the north opposite St. Louis, Missouri. Its people built large earthworks and related structures, many of which have been preserved and protected at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mississippian culture regional centers arose throughout the Ohio and lower Mississippian valleys, where the rivers were part of widespread trading routes used for exchange with other cultures.

In 1757, Massac County was settled by a French expedition, which built Fort de L'Ascension for use during the French and Indian War against the British (the war is also known as the Seven Years' War, which took place largely in Europe). The garrison at the fort was able to resist a Cherokee attack during the war. Afterward the defeated French abandoned the fort, and many moved west of the Mississippi River to escape British rule. When the victorious British colonists arrived to take control of territory ceded by the French, the Chickasaw had already destroyed the fort.

During the American Revolutionary War, the mostly ethnic French residents of the town were sympathetic to the rebels. Afterward in 1794, President George Washington ordered Fort Massac reconstructed, at a strategic site high above the Ohio River. The fort was severely damaged by the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes. Rather than rebuild, the US military abandoned the facility in 1814, as its forces were needed further west. Local settlers scavenged the timbers and left little behind of the original construction materials.

This section of the state was largely settled by migrants from the Upper South, and many brought slaves with them. It was years after Illinois was admitted as a free state that all such slaves gained their freedom.

The city of Metropolis was founded in 1839 near the site of Fort Massac by a merchant from Pittsburgh and a local land owner; the two envisioned that the location on the Ohio River would become a transport hub and chose a befittingly grand name. In 1843, the Illinois Legislature formed Massac County. The McCartney family became leaders in building the town of Metropolis.

During the early years of the American Civil War, soldiers were encamped in the vicinity. Although Illinois was established as a free state, this section had many southern sympathizers. Despite this background, the state stayed with the Union during the war.

Prior to the American Civil War, some groups worked to establish a Western District of Columbia, to include present-day Metropolis and the nearby area of Kentucky. An 1850 map illustrates this proposal.

During the twentieth century, agriculture has continued to be the economic driver of the region. The state's authorization of riverboat gambling led to Metropolis's becoming the site of the Harrah's Metropolis casino/hotel, a riverboat casino frequented by visitors from around the region. Tourism is one of the city's largest industries.

Metropolis is also the site of the Honeywell Uranium Hexafluoride Processing Facility, which converts milled uranium into uranium hexafluoride for nuclear reactors.

Geography
Metropolis is located in southern Massac County at 37.15333°N, -88.72528°W (37.153332, -88.725374), on the north shore of the Ohio River. It is bordered to the south, across the river, by McCracken County, Kentucky. Paducah, Kentucky, is 13 mi to the southeast.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Metropolis has a total area of 6.16 sqmi, of which 6.02 sqmi are land and 0.14 sqmi, or 2.30%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,482 people, 2,896 households, and 1,708 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,295.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,265 housing units at an average density of 652.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.53% White, 7.61% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 2,896 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city the population was spread out, with 20.0% under 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% ages 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,371, and the median income for a family was $33,979. Males had a median income of $27,630 versus $17,561 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,967. About 12.5% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Metropolis is served by Interstate 24, which runs from Chattanooga, Tennessee, northwest to Williamson County, Illinois, where it connects with Interstate 57. U.S. Route 45 passes through the center of Metropolis as East 5th Street, Ferry Street, and West 10th Street. US 45 runs geographically east–west through the area but runs north to Chicago and south to Paducah and is signed north–south.

Illinois Route 145 lies east of the city and serves remote areas of nearby Shawnee National Forest.

Metropolis is served by the Paducah & Illinois Railroad, jointly owned by Canadian National Railway, BNSF Railway, and the Paducah & Louisville Railway, crossing the Ohio River on the Metropolis Bridge.

Healthcare
Metropolis is home to Massac Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital that opened in 1956. Originally shaped like a cross, the hospital is located on the northwest side of town. The hospital has undergone several renovations and additions to make updates to the original facility. Current services offered include ambulance, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary, emergency department, imaging, laboratory, Massac Memorial Medical Clinic, rehabilitation services, sleep disorders center, specialty clinic, surgery, and transitional care. A Fresenius Medical Care dialysis center was constructed on the campus and opened in 2009.

Superman's "hometown"
In his various portrayals, Superman resides in a fictional American city named Metropolis, and on June 9, 1972, the Illinois State Legislature passed Resolution 572, declaring Metropolis the "Hometown of Superman".

The city has a 15 ft painted bronze statue of Superman which sits in front of the county courthouse, and a statue of Noel Neill's Lois Lane from The Adventures of Superman stands just a few blocks away.

Each year on the second weekend of June, Superman fans from all over the world gather in Metropolis for their annual Superman Celebration, which features celebrity guests from movies, television, and the comic book industry.

The four-day annual celebration also boasts vendors selling food, comics, homemade crafts, and other merchandise, as well as discussion panels, auctions, a costume contest, and a variety of other events throughout the weekend. The first such celebration was organized by local civic clubs and took place in June 1979.

The local newspaper is named The Metropolis Planet, inspired by The Daily Planet, the fictional paper in the Superman comics and other Superman media.

The real town of Metropolis is portrayed in one Superman comic-book story, "Superman #92", in a story titled "Massacre in Metropolis!" (which is continued into "Adventures of Superman #515"), as a town whose citizens idolize what is to them the real-life Man of Steel. A villain named Massacre arrives in the town, having gotten lost and thinking he was in the "other" Metropolis, the large city where Superman actually lives. He attacks a security guard and threatens many citizens in order to get proper directions to Superman's Metropolis.

In popular culture

 * The 2005 album Illinois from indie musician Sufjan Stevens features a track entitled "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts".
 * In Harry Turtledove's alternate history novel series Southern Victory, the second volume American Front has Metropolis as the scene of a Civil War battle between Union and Confederate forces in 1914.

Notable people

 * Dale Anderson, Maryland politician; born in Metropolis.
 * Buddy Hall, member of pocket billiards Hall of Fame; born in Metropolis.
 * Christopher Jackson, actor and musician, known for playing George Washington in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton; born in Metropolis
 * Curt Jones, creator in 1987 of Dippin' Dots ice cream
 * Annie Turnbo Malone, businesswoman and philanthropist, founder of the black beauty culture and Poro College
 * Moxie Manuel, pitcher for the Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox
 * Oscar Micheaux, pioneering African-American filmmaker and author
 * John Riegger, Champions Tour golfer
 * Jack Smith, driver with NASCAR
 * John Steele, WWII paratrooper made famous in the movie The Longest Day (1962)
 * Robert Franklin Stroud, convicted murderer known as the Birdman of Alcatraz; buried in Metropolis
 * Ben Taylor, first baseman for the St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Braves; born in Metropolis
 * Hawk Taylor, catcher for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals; born in Metropolis
 * Betty, Jean and Joanne Weaver, sisters who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the early 1950s
 * Patrick Windhorst, Illinois state representative and attorney
 * Zayde Wolf, musician, singer-songwriter

title: Metropolis, Illinois


text:
Bardolph, Illinois

Bardolph is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 210 at the 2020 census, down from 251 in 2010.

Geography
Bardolph is located in eastern McDonough County at 40.49528°N, -90.56333°W (40.495331, -90.563344). It is 8 mi northeast of Macomb, the county seat.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bardolph has a total area of 0.62 sqmi, all land. The principal street is Broadway, which runs parallel to the Burlington Northern Railroad. Melvin Kerr Tree Farm is on the west side of town.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 253 people, 87 households, and 64 families residing in the village. The population density was 425.4 PD/sqmi. There were 102 housing units at an average density of 171.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 87 households, out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 34.4% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $30,208. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $17,083 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,361. About 32.2% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.8% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Notable person

 * George W. Swink, businessman

title: Bardolph, Illinois


text:
Blandinsville, Illinois

Blandinsville is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 569 at the 2020 census, down from 651 in 2010.

History
The town is named for Joseph L. Blandin, owner of the first general store. In 1842, the town was platted on a tract known as Job's Settlement, named after early settlers William and Ira Job. A post office was established in 1843. The Frank Hicks House in Blandinsville was constructed by architect George Franklin Barber in 1895.

Geography
Blandinsville is in northwestern McDonough County. Illinois Route 9 passes through the village as Washington Street, leading northwest 6 mi to La Harpe and east 19 mi to Bushnell. Macomb, the McDonough county seat, is 16 mi to the southeast via IL-9 and U.S. Route 67.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Blandinsville has a total area of 0.88 sqmi, all land. The village sits on a low ridge bordered by Little Creek to the north and Baptist Creek to the south. Both are west-flowing tributaries of La Harpe Creek, a tributary of the La Moine River and part of the Illinois River watershed.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 777 people, 339 households, and 224 families residing in the village. The population density was 878.2 PD/sqmi. There were 353 housing units at an average density of 399.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.71% White, 0.13% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 339 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,272, and the median income for a family was $39,028. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,203. About 6.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Blandinsville is part of the West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Students attend elementary school at North Elementary located in Good Hope and Middle School in Colchester. Students then go on to attend West Prairie High School in Sciota.

title: Blandinsville, Illinois


text:
Bushnell, Illinois

Bushnell is a city in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,718 at the 2020 census, down from 3,117 in 2010.

Geography
Bushnell is located in northeastern McDonough County. Illinois state routes 9 and 41 pass through the city center as Cole Street. Route 9 goes west out of the city on Charles Street, leading 19 mi to Blandinsville, while to the east it leads 27 mi to Canton. Route 41 leads north 31 mi to Galesburg and south 7 mi to its terminus at U.S. Route 136. Macomb, the McDonough county seat, is 14 mi southwest of Bushnell.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bushnell has a total area of 2.13 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 0.38%, are water. The west side of the city drains to a south-flowing tributary of the East Fork of the La Moine River, while the east side drains to Shaw Creek, a southeast-flowing tributary of the Spoon River. The city is part of the Illinois River watershed.

History
The town was founded in 1854 when the Northern Cross Railroad built a line through the area. Nehemiah Bushnell was the president of the railroad, and townspeople honored him by naming their community after him. The railroad later became part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which continues to operate through Bushnell under the name Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Bushnell was also served by the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway, now the Keokuk Junction Railway. Amtrak trains pass through the city but do not stop.

The Nagel Brothers of Bushnell were the first to invent a process of making rolled oats without having to steam the oats. Up until this time, the oats were first steamed to separate the groat from the hull. The patent for this new process was later sold to the Quaker Oats Company.

Bushnell is home to a Vaughan & Bushnell hammer factory and to Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,221 people, 1,323 households, and 889 families residing in Bushnell. The population density was 1,573.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,446 housing units at an average density of 706.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.79% White, 0.12% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.

There were 1,323 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,482, and the median income for a family was $38,450. Males had a median income of $27,266 versus $18,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,263. About 12.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Horse show
Beginning in 1908, the Truman Pioneer Stud Farm in Bushnell was home to one of the largest horse shows in the Midwest. The show was well known for imported European horses. The Bushnell Horse Show returned in 2004 and has become one of the better draft horse hitch shows in the tri-state region. The Bushnell Horse Show features some of the best Belgian and Percheron hitches in the country. Teams have come from many different states and Canada to compete.

Music
From 1991 to 2012, Bushnell was home to one of the largest Christian music and arts festivals in the world, known as the Cornerstone Festival. Each year around the 4th of July, 25,000 people from all over the world would descend on the small farm town to watch over 300 bands, authors and artists perform at the Cornerstone Farm Campgrounds. The festival was generally well received by locals, and businesses in the area would typically put up signs welcoming festival-goers to their town.

As a result of the location of the music festival, numerous live albums and videos have been recorded or filmed in Bushnell, including the annual Cornerstone Festival DVD. The festival's 20th anniversary DVD included interviews with local Bushnell citizens and business owners.

Cornerstone held its final festival in 2012 and no longer operates.

Education
Bushnell is home to the Bushnell-Prairie City Community Unit School District 170. Students attend Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary School, Bushnell-Prairie City Junior High School, and Bushnell-Prairie City High School which are all located in Bushnell.

Notable people

 * Seibert Q. Duntley (1911–1999), physicist and president of the Optical Society of America
 * Charles Kuhn (1892–1989), cartoonist
 * E. C. Mills (1873–1962), educator
 * Earl Sheely (1893–1952), 1920s first baseman for Chicago White Sox

title: Bushnell, Illinois


text:
Colchester, Illinois

Colchester is a city in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,108 at the 2020 census, down from 1,401 in 2010. The city is named after the city of Colchester, England.

History
Coal was discovered near Colchester in the 1850s.

According to the North American Stratigraphic Code, rock units were given names that included the geographic name of a location where the rock unit was first described. If the rock unit consisted of a dominant rock type, the rock type was included in the name. In this case, when coal was first discovered and described in Colchester, Illinois, the rock unit was named "Colchester Coal". When this particular coal unit was encountered in a different location, the coal was correctly identified as Colchester Coal.

The mines in Colchester attracted immigrants from Pennsylvania. At first these included the descendants of Irish Protestant refugees from the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Later they were joined by Irish Catholic refugees from the Great Famine.

During the 1920s, Colchester was the home of Henry "Kelly" Wagle, a bootlegger associated with Al Capone. Wagle was involved in the production of alcohol and its transportation between Chicago and Kansas City.

On September 11, 1921, members of the disgraced Chicago "Black Sox" baseball team played with the Colchester team in a game against nearby Macomb. Kelly Wagle paid to bring the players to Colchester.

Geography
Colchester is located in western McDonough County at 40.42528°N, -90.79222°W (40.425174, -90.792339). U.S. Route 136 passes through the center of town as Macomb Street and North Street, leading northeast 7 mi to Macomb, the county seat, and west 19 mi to Carthage. Illinois Route 110/336, a four-lane divided highway, bypasses Colchester to the south, joining US 136 3.5 mi west of the city.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Colchester has a total area of 1.15 sqmi, all land.

Argyle Lake State Park is 2 mi north of Colchester.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 1,493 people, 634 households and 419 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,500.7 PD/sqmi. There were 694 housing units at an average density of 697.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.40% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 634 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.89.

22.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median household income was $31,283 and the median family income was $37,763. Males had a median income of $27,857 compared with $19,211 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,354. About 5.0% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Colchester is part of the West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Students attend elementary school at South Elementary and then Middle School which are both located in Colchester. Students then go on to attend West Prairie High School in Sciota.

Notable people

 * John Travis Nixon (1867–1909), Louisiana newspaper publisher, born in Colchester
 * Lucy Smith Millikin (1821–1882), youngest sister of Mormon leader Joseph Smith; longtime resident (and among the founders) of Colchester

title: Colchester, Illinois


text:
Good Hope, Illinois

Good Hope is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 363 at the 2020 census.

History
Early in its history the town was also at times spelled "Goodhope". It was settled by 1840.

Geography
Good Hope is located in northern McDonough County at 40.55759°N, -90.67502°W. U.S. Route 67 passes through the village as Monmouth Street, leading south 7 mi to Macomb, the county seat, and north 12 mi to Roseville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Good Hope has a total area of 0.30 sqmi, all land. The village is drained to the south by tributaries of Town Fork, an east-flowing tributary of Farm Fork, the La Moine River, and eventually the Illinois River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 415 people, 175 households, and 120 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,408.0 PD/sqmi. There were 181 housing units at an average density of 614.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.28% White, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 175 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% 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 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,386, and the median income for a family was $41,964. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,555. About 7.2% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Good Hope is part of the West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Students attend elementary school at North Elementary located in Good Hope and Middle School in Colchester. Students then go on to attend West Prairie High School in Colchester.

title: Good Hope, Illinois


text:
Industry, Illinois

Industry is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the village population was 399, down from 478 in 2010.

Geography
Industry is located in southern McDonough County at 40.32667°N, -90.60639°W (40.326600, -90.606499). U.S. Route 67 passes through the village as its Main Street, leading north 12 mi to Macomb, the county seat, and south 15 mi to Rushville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Industry has a total area of 0.46 sqmi, of which 0.001 sqmi, or 0.22%, are water. The village drains north to Grindstone Creek, a southwest-flowing tributary of Camp Creek, part of the La Moine River watershed leading to the Illinois River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 540 people, 208 households, and 163 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,146.2 PD/sqmi. There were 223 housing units at an average density of 473.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.22% White, 0.37% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 208 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village is $35,455, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $18,068 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,411. About 12.0% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Industry is part of the Schuyler-Industry Community Unit School District 5. Students attend Washington Elementary School, Webster Elementary School, Schuyler-Industry Middle School, and Rushville-Industry High School which are all located in Rushville.

title: Industry, Illinois


text:
Macomb, Illinois

Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois, about 75 mi southwest of Peoria. As of the 2020 census the population of the city was 15,051, down from 19,288 in 2010. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.

Origin
First settled in 1829 on a site tentatively named "Washington", the town was officially founded in 1830 as the county seat of McDonough County and given the name "Macomb" after Alexander Macomb, a general in the War of 1812. War veterans were given land grants in the Macomb area, which was part of the "Military Tract" set aside by Congress. In 1855 the Northern Cross Railroad, a predecessor to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, was constructed through Macomb, leading to a rise in the town's population. On April 24, 1899, the Western Illinois State Normal School, currently Western Illinois University, was founded in Macomb. Representative Lawrence Sherman was instrumental in locating the school in Macomb. In 1903 the Macomb and Western Illinois Railway was built from Macomb to nearby Industry and Littleton by local financier Charles V. Chandler, though this railroad was abandoned in 1930. In 1918, construction on Illinois Route 3 was begun as a state financed highway from Cairo to Rock Island through Macomb; in the late 1920s U.S. Route 67 was extended along this route to Dubuque, Iowa.

Presidential visits
Macomb has been visited by several US Presidents over the years. Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt have all made short addresses in Macomb. On two occasions, Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama addressed large audiences prior to their election as president. Obama was stumping for the U.S. Senate at the time, meaning a president or presidential nominee has not visited Macomb in 109 years and counting.

St. Louis Rams summer camp
The WIU campus and its Hanson Field Stadium were home to the St. Louis Rams' football summer training camp from 1996 to 2004. In 2005, the Rams decided to move summer training to their own facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, ending the nine-year relationship.

Colts Drum and Bugle Corp Summer Camp
WIU's Hanson Field was home to the Colts' summer training camp in 2023. The nine-time Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Finalist, from Dubuque, IA are a group of 160 high school- and college-aged musicians, plus 40 staff members and support team members. They train, work, and live on the WIU campus for three weeks. Members live in the residence halls and practice at Hanson Field.

Minor league baseball
Macomb was home to the Macomb Potters, who played as members of the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League in 1909 and 1910. The team also hosted two exhibition games against the Chicago Cubs. The Potters began play after local fans raised funds to start the team.

On Friday, June 18, 1909, the Macomb Potters hosted an exhibition game against the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. The game was scheduled with the agreement that the Cubs would feature their regular lineup. The selected date allowed the Cubs to play in between the Cubs' series with the Brooklyn Superbas. The game was advertised as “the greatest day in the baseball history of McDonough County,” in a large advertisement placed in the June 17, 1909 Macomb Daily Journal. The teams took infield at 2:30 p.m., with the game starting at 3:00 p.m. In front of 2,964 fans, the Cubs beat the Potters 6–0. Admission was $1.00 per ticket. After the game, each team split the gate money minus expenses and each club received $971.50.

During the 1910 season, the Macomb Potters and the Chicago Cubs played a second exhibition game in Macomb. The 1910 game was won by the Cubs 5–0.

Geography
The East Fork Lamoine River flows past the northern part of the city.

U.S. Routes 67 and 136 pass through the city. They enter the city together from east on Jackson Street and split at the city center, US 67 turning north on Lafayette Street, and US 136 continuing west on Jackson Street. US 67 leads north 33 mi to Monmouth and south 27 mi to Rushville, while US 136 leads east 40 mi to Havana and west 42 mi to Keokuk, Iowa.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Macomb has a total area of 11.03 sqmi, of which 10.60 sqmi are land and 0.43 sqmi, or 3.91%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,558 people, 6,575 households, and 2,952 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,884.2 PD/sqmi. There were 7,037 housing units at an average density of 714.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.73% White, 5.93% African American, 3.06% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,575 households, out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.1% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 12.6% under the age of 18, 42.9% from 18 to 24, 18.2% from 25 to 44, 14.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,994, and the median income for a family was $42,069. Males had a median income of $27,663 versus $21,780 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,470. 29.1% of the population and 12.2% of families were below the poverty line. 22.8% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy
Major Manufacturers:
 * Farm King
 * NTN-Bower Corporation
 * Pella Windows
 * Whalen Manufacturing

Arts and Culture
Macomb is home to the annual McDonough County Fair, which typically runs for a week in the summer. The fair includes animal showings, and more. The fair is held at the fairgrounds located at 3022 W Jackson St.

Museums and Libraries

 * Macomb Public Library
 * Spoon River College Library
 * WIU Malpass Library
 * WIU Curriculum Library
 * WIU Music Library
 * Western Illinois Museum
 * WIU Museum of Geology
 * WIU University Art Gallery

Parks and recreation

 * Harry Mussatto Golf Course
 * Lakeview Nature Center
 * Macomb Park District
 * Glenwood Pool
 * Ball Fore
 * Spring Lake Park

Education
Public: Private:
 * MacArthur School (PreK and Preschool)
 * Lincoln School (K-2)
 * Edison School (3-5)
 * Macomb Middle School (6-8)
 * Macomb High School (9-12)
 * Spoon River College, Macomb campus
 * Western Illinois University
 * St. Paul Catholic School (PreK-6)

Newspapers

 * The McDonough County Voice, daily newspaper
 * Western Courier, Western Illinois University student newspaper

Filmings in Macomb

 * Cast in Gray (2005)
 * Wife Swap (2006)

Highways

 * [[Image:US 67.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 67 (Lafayette St.)
 * [[Image:US 136.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 136 (Jackson St.)
 * [[Image:Illinois 110.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 110
 * [[Image:Illinois 336.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 336

Airport
Macomb is served by the Macomb Municipal Airport. Which is approximately 3 mi north of Macomb.

Mass Transit

 * Go West Transit

Rail

 * Macomb (Amtrak station)

Healthcare

 * McDonough District Hospital, is located in Macomb and has been serving McDonough County and surrounding counties since 1958.

Historical Road Names
Following suit from its being named after General Alexander Macomb, a general in the War of 1812, Macomb makes tributes to other historical generals in its street names. The town has a Grant, Lafayette, McArthur, and Johnson Streets.

Notable people

 * William Birenbaum (1923–2010), college administrator
 * Michael Boatman, actor, attended Western Illinois University
 * Phil Bradley, Major League Baseball player (1983–1990)
 * Helen Tunnicliff Catterall (1870–1933), lawyer, writer
 * Charles Clarke Chapman (1853–1944), businessman; first mayor of Fullerton, California; founder of Chapman University
 * Bryan Cox, football player and coach, attended Western Illinois University
 * Marcus Dunstan, screenwriter and director
 * Harry Gamage, University of Kentucky football head coach 1927-33
 * Joe Garner, six-time New York Times bestselling author of non-fiction pop culture history
 * Elizabeth Magie, inventor of The Landlord's Game, precursor to Monopoly
 * John Mahoney (1940–2018), actor; alumnus of Western Illinois University
 * Ty Margenthaler, assistant coach with Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball team
 * Kenneth G. McMillan, Illinois state senator and educator
 * Red Miller, former head coach of NFL Denver Broncos and USFL Denver Gold
 * Louise Jordan Miln (1864-1933), novelist, actress, travel writer, East Asian expert
 * Darrell Mudra (1929-2022), Canadian Football League and member of the College Football Hall of Fame
 * Michael Norman, author of the "Haunted" book series
 * Donald C. Pogue, judge
 * Todd Purdum, correspondent, editor, Vanity Fair, New York Times
 * Lou Saban (1921-2009), National Football League and college football player and coach
 * Al Sears, jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader
 * Stabbing Westward, rock band
 * Damon G. Tunnicliff, Illinois Supreme Court justice; practiced law in Macomb
 * Ruth May Tunnicliff (1876–1946), medical researcher
 * Sarah Bacon Tunnicliff (1872–1957), clubwoman and reformer in Chicago
 * Howard Turner, football player
 * Ginny Vida, editor, activist, and city official
 * Rev. C.T. Vivian (1924-2020), minister and civil rights leader
 * Henry Wells, author, professor and expert on Latin America politics
 * Khalen Saunders, NFL Football Player (2019–Present) (Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints), Super Bowl Champion (2020, 2023) with the Kansas City Chiefs

title: Macomb, Illinois


text:
Prairie City, Illinois

Prairie City is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 407 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Prairie City is located in the northeast corner of McDonough County at 40.62083°N, -90.46361°W (40.620740, -90.463582). It is bordered to the north by Warren County. Illinois Route 41 passes through the village as East Main Street, leading northeast 8 mi to St. Augustine and southwest 6 mi to Bushnell. Macomb, the McDonough county seat, is 21 mi to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Prairie City has a total area of 1.01 sqmi, all land. The village drains northeast toward Gallett Creek, a north-flowing tributary of Cedar Creek, part of the Spoon River watershed leading to the Illinois River.

Demographics
Per the 2010 US Census, Prairie City had 379 people. Among non-Hispanics this includes 371 White (97.9%), 5 Black (1.3%), 1 Asian (0.3%), & 1 from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population included 1 person (0.3%).

Of the 135 households 43 had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80 were married couples living together, 5 (3.7%) had a female householder with children & no husband present, and 34 were non-families. 25 households were one person and 37 had someone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 78.1% over the age of 18 and 19.3% 65 or older. The median age was 43.5 years. The gender ratio was 50.1% male & 49.9% female. Among 135 occupied households, 121 were owner-occupied & 14 were renter-occupied.

At the 2000 census there were 461 people, 155 households, and 119 families in the town. The population density was 455.2 PD/sqmi. There were 171 housing units at an average density of 168.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.61% White, 1.08% Asian, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87%.

Of the 155 households 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 19.4% of households were one person and 11.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 28.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median household income was $36,875, and the median family income was $40,313. Males had a median income of $27,143 versus $21,389 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,269. About 21.2% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

The Decker Press
From 1937 to 1950, Prairie City was home to the Decker Press, which in the mid-1940s was the largest publishing house in America devoted exclusively to putting out poetry. The business was not financially successful, and its founder, Prairie City native James A. Decker, sold it to a local lumber dealer, Harry M. Denman, who in turn sold it several months later to Ervin Tax, a poet from Chicago. Decker left town, but his sister, Dorothy, remained.

Tax tried to make the business more efficient and profitable—buying new presses and binding equipment and hiring an artist, sales promoter and other employees. But the Decker Press came to a tragic end in May 1950 when Dorothy, who had fallen in love with Tax in a one-side relationship, shot Tax in the head with a rifle and then killed herself.

Education
Prairie City is part of the Bushnell-Prairie City Community Unit School District 170. Students attend Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary School, Bushnell-Prairie City Junior High School, and Bushnell-Prairie City High School which are all located in Bushnell.

title: Prairie City, Illinois


text:
Sciota, Illinois

Sciota is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 38 at the 2020 census, down from 61 in 2010.

History
Sciota was laid out in September 1867 by William B. Clarke and was called "Clarkesville" in his honor. Another town in Illinois already had been named Clarksville (without the "e"), so when the new town's post office was established on February 7, 1868, it was called "Amicus". This discrepancy between town name and post office name led the residents to change both names to "Sciota", after the township in which the town lies. (Sciota Township was named after the Scioto River in Ohio.) The Illinois General Assembly approved the name change on March 29, 1869.

A Christian church was erected in 1869, a Baptist church in 1871, and a school building in 1872.

In 1878, Sciota was the largest grain market in McDonough County. At that time, the primary crops were corn and oats; now, the village is surrounded by fields of corn and soybeans.

A newspaper, The Sciota Sentinel, was published by H. C. Harl around 1895, but only one issue seems to have survived (October 17, 1895, no. 49).

Geography
Sciota is located in northern McDonough County at 40.56083°N, -90.75167°W (40.5608731, -90.7517996) at an elevation of 758 ft. It is 0.5 mi north of Illinois Route 9 and 10 mi northwest of Macomb, the county seat.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sciota has a total area of 0.31 sqmi, all land. It is situated east of the headwaters of an unnamed tributary of Spring Creek, itself a tributary of the East Fork of the La Moine River, part of the Illinois River watershed.

The village of Sciota lies in an area of prime farmland with soil classified as Mollisols.

Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 61 people, 26 households, and 12 families residing in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

Transportation and infrastructure
Sciota is accessible by public roads from the south via McDonough County road East 800th Street (County Highway 13) which intersects with Illinois Route 9 1/2 mile south of the village. East 800th Street is called Buel Street within the village proper and extends north to the county line.

Sciota is served by the Keokuk Junction Railway. As of January 2010, there were two rail sidings. There is one grade crossing protected by a pair of crossbucks with flashing lights and a mechanical warning bell (no gates).

The village received a state grant of $400,000 in 2001 to connect to the Good Hope water supply system and to build a water tower. While Sciota has a water supply system, it does not have a sanitary sewer system; residents rely on septic systems for sewage disposal.

Education
It is home to West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Students attend elementary school at North Elementary in Good Hope and Middle School in Colchester. West Prairie High School is located in Sciota.

title: Sciota, Illinois


text:
Tennessee, Illinois

Tennessee is a village in McDonough County, Illinois, United States. The population was 101 at the 2020 census.

History
A post office called Tennessee has been in operation since 1856. The village was named after the state of Tennessee.

Geography
Tennessee is located in western McDonough County at 40.41222°N, -90.8375°W (40.412204, -90.837508). U.S. Route 136 passes through the village as Campbell Street, leading northeast 2.5 mi to Colchester and 9 mi to Macomb, the McDonough county seat. Carthage is 16 mi to the west via US 136.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tennessee has a total area of 0.43 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 144 people, 64 households, and 38 families residing in the village. The population density was 339.2 PD/sqmi. There were 70 housing units at an average density of 164.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.61% White, 0.69% Native American, and 0.69% from two or more races.

There were 64 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $20,833 versus $23,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,311. There were 9.8% of families and 22.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including 38.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education
Tennessee is part of the West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Students attend elementary school at South Elementary and then Middle School which are both located in Colchester. Students then go on to attend West Prairie High School in Sciota.

title: Tennessee, Illinois


text:
Bull Valley, Illinois

Bull Valley is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,128 at the 2020 census. Surrounded by larger, exurb towns of Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and McHenry, the village prides itself in its rural, low-density character. The village is in the outer most ring of the Chicago suburbs.

History
In 1942, a group of neighbors organized the Countryside Improvement Association. It gradually became involved in questions of land use, and in 1955, in an unprecedented action, owners of about 3,000 acres, half of the Bull Valley area at the time, voluntarily put their land into 3-acre zoning, the highest residential classification then offered by the County. This single decision would establish the future character of the community.

In 1960, money was raised from residents by subscription, to pay for a land use study and professional planning advice. The Eastern McHenry County Plan Association (EMCPA) was then formed to address the common problems of four townships. That Association’s recommendation in a report of July 25, 1961, was that a large part of the Bull Valley area be zoned for a residential/estate use of a minimum of 5-acre tracts. Unlike the traditional concept of a community where the most intense use is at the center of the area and becomes more open as the distance from the center increases, the EMCPA area has at its center, a very attractive rolling, wooded area currently developed in low density, open estate type residential and farm development (and) included in this center portion are two very broad, scenic valleys which should be retained for non-intensive development.” When McHenry County established a Planning Commission in 1963, the EMCPA dissolved and turned its studies over to the County Planning Commission.

As the County began to consider land use policy, Bull Valley residents continued to oppose development that threatened the farms, forested hills, and wetlands. Through their association, they bore the costs of legal representation at numerous zoning hearings, until it became obvious that private efforts could not win the fight to save the rural character of the land.

In 1977, the Countryside Improvement Association was reorganized as the Bull Valley Association, which initiated and campaigned for a referendum on incorporation. The referendum passed at an election held on July 23, 1977, giving residents for the first time, the authority to implement their long-standing purposes. Because state law required that a new municipality could have no fewer than 200 voters in an area of two square miles, the Village had to reach out for scattered households, hence its peculiar shape and boundaries.

In the early years of the village, there was nearly no government infrastructure. Later, a small tax was assessed to provide for simple road repairs. By the 1980s, the village had hired a police officer part-time who shared time with the neighboring village of Prairie Grove.

The village today
Today the Village government occupies Stickney House, one of the oldest brick buildings in the area. This house was originally built without any corners due to the belief of the Stickneys that evil spirits could live in corners. While the village has grown, and even includes some subdivisions now, it remains rural, with areas of woods, farms, and low-density housing between larger, exurb towns of Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and McHenry.

Geography
Bull Valley is located at 42.31611°N, -88.36694°W (42.316132, -88.366815).

According to the 2010 census, Bull Valley has a total area of 8.761 sqmi, of which 8.75 sqmi (or 99.87%) is land and 0.011 sqmi (or 0.13%) is water.

Major streets

 * [[Image:Illinois 120.svg|20px]] Illinois Route 120
 * Greenwood Road
 * Thompson Road
 * Fleming Road
 * Ridge Road
 * Valley Hill Road
 * Bull Valley Road
 * Country Club Road
 * Crystal Springs Road
 * Crystal Lake Road
 * Cold Springs Road
 * Queen Anne Road
 * Draper Road
 * Cherry Valley Road
 * Mason Hill Road

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 726 people, 268 households and 217 families residing in the village. The population density was 129.4 PD/sqmi. There were 281 housing units at an average density of 50.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.69% White, 0.55% African American, 1.10% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.20% of the population.

There were 268 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.9% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.0% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.04.

Age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 35.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median household income was $102,693, and the median family income was $109,147. Males had a median income of $73,750 versus $37,188 for females. The per capita income for the village was $54,022. About 1.4% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Chester Gould, cartoonist, creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip
 * John H. Johnson, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company

title: Bull Valley, Illinois


text:
Cary, Illinois

Cary is a village located in Algonquin Township, McHenry County, Illinois, and Cuba Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 17,826.

Founding
In 1841, William Dennison Cary purchased 82 acre for $1.25 an acre at the location of the current town and built a farm. In 1856, Cary included a train station for the Illinois & Wisconsin Railway which connected Cary to Chicago and Janesville. The site was approved and a post office was added with the designation "Cary Station." The community around Cary Station was incorporated in 1893 as Cary, Illinois.

Early farmers saw this new railway as an opportunity. The economy relied heavily on selling produce, mainly pickles, and the farmers utilized the railway to conduct business with more industrialized cities such as St. Louis and Chicago. The success of this transportation enterprise helped transform Cary into the suburban community it is today. People traveled by rail and most commerce became dependent on the railroad.

In the 1950s, highway transportation overtook rail as the primary means of moving people and goods. Northwest Highway (U.S. 14) parallels the railroad right-of-way, which has been the Union Pacific Northwest Metra line since the Union Pacific merged with the Chicago & North Western in 1995.

Geography
Cary is located at 42.21306°N, -88.24833°W (42.2129566, -88.2483260).

According to the 2010 census, Cary has a total area of 6.358 sqmi, of which 6.27 sqmi (or 98.62%) is land and 0.088 sqmi (or 1.38%) is water. It is located on the Fox River.

2020 census
The population of Cary was 17,826 as of 2020.

There were 6,424 households, out of which 2838 had children under the age of 18 living with them.

The median income for a household in the village was $100,339, and the median income for a family was $111,065.

Education
Cary is mainly served by Community High School District 155 for high school students, specifically by Cary-Grove High School and Prairie Ridge High School, and School District 26 for elementary and middle school students. Some portions of Cary also are served by Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 and Community Unit School District 300.

Trinity Oaks Christian Academy, a non-denominational Christian school, is located in Cary, as well as Saints Peter and Paul, a Roman Catholic school and parish.

Popular culture
The interior of the bed and breakfast room that Bill Murray's character stays in, in the 1993 film Groundhog Day, was built in a warehouse in Cary.

Suzanne Evenson of Cary was featured on HGTV's show House Hunters International on December 8, 2010, showcasing her family's move from Cary to Dubai.

Students from the class of 2004 were featured in the MTV show High School Stories. They concocted a senior prank which included launching a boat onto a pond on school property.

In the summer of 2016, Burger King opened its first-ever drive-thru-only restaurant in Cary. It was closed in 2023.

A Cary resident, Chris Rudolph, was a contestant on TLC's "Spouse House," airing in July 2017.

Transportation
U.S. Route 14, locally known as Northwest Highway, passes through Cary between its northwest and southeast borders.

Illinois Route 31 forms part of Cary's western border.

Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line has a station in Cary and operates daily service to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago.

Lake in the Hills Airport is approximately two miles west of Cary's west border.

Notable people

 * Drew Conner, professional soccer player.
 * A. J. Raebel, Canadian football player.
 * Michael Glasder, ski jumper XXIII Olympic Winter Games (raised in Cary)
 * Quinn Priester, MLB baseball player, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, (attended Cary-Grove High School)
 * Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of Jimmy John's.
 * Paul Wertico, jazz drummer (member of the Pat Metheny Group for many years), winner of 7 Grammy Awards (raised in Cary)
 * Alex Brettin, lead singer of psychedelic pop group Mild High Club.

title: Cary, Illinois