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St. Joseph, Illinois

The Village of St. Joseph was founded on April 28, 1881, and is located in St. Joseph Township, Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,810 at the 2020 census, down from 3,967 at the 2010 census.

Geography
St. Joseph is located at 40.11471°N, -88.03562°W.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, St. Joseph has a total area of 2.10 sqmi, of which 2.08 sqmi (or 99.24%) is land and 0.02 sqmi (or 0.76%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 3,810 people, 1,452 households, and 1,086 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,815.15 PD/sqmi. There were 1,519 housing units at an average density of 723.68 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.28% White, 0.45% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 1.15% from other races, and 4.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% of the population.

There were 1,452 households, out of which 46.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.76% were married couples living together, 22.93% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.21% were non-families. 22.73% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.56% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 2.78.

The village's age distribution consisted of 29.5% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $93,621, and the median income for a family was $105,526. Males had a median income of $56,065 versus $49,076 for females. The per capita income for the village was $35,292. About 2.5% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The public high school for this community is St. Joseph-Ogden High School, a school that combines students graduating from St. Joseph Middle School with students graduating from Prairieview-Ogden Junior High, with the majority of students coming from the St. Joseph area. Not all students within Prairieview-Ogden Junior High's district are within the high school's district. Some of these students will fall within the borders of Rantoul, IL or Thomasboro, IL high school districts instead.

Notable people

 * Frank Hanly, 26th Governor of Indiana, was born in St. Joseph.
 * Marianne Dickerson, a world class long distance runner, lived in St. Joseph.

title: St. Joseph, Illinois


text:
Thomasboro, Illinois

Thomasboro is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,034 at the 2020 census.

The village has the name of John Thomas, a pioneer settler.

Geography
Thomasboro is located at 40.24194°N, -88.18778°W (40.242025, -88.187745).

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Thomasboro has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,034 people, 452 households, and 300 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,034.00 PD/sqmi. There were 530 housing units at an average density of 530.00 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.59% White, 1.74% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.55% from other races, and 4.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.74% of the population.

There were 452 households, out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.99% were married couples living together, 10.84% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.63% were non-families. 28.98% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.08% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 2.29.The village's age distribution consisted of 16.1% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 35.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $55,795, and the median income for a family was $82,917. Males had a median income of $40,019 versus $36,369 for females. The per capita income for the village was $35,869. About 9.7% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Mark Arie, winner of two 1920 Summer Olympics gold medals in shooting, was born in Thomasboro.
 * Terry Shaw A.K.A. "T.Shaw", winner of 2009 VH1 Tool Academy (season 2).

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

title: Thomasboro, Illinois


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Tolono, Illinois

Tolono is a village in Tolono Township, Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,604 at the 2020 census. Its name was fabricated by J.B. Calhoun, land commission of the Illinois Central Railroad, who wrote about it simply: "[I] placed the vowel o three times, thus o-o-o, and filling in with the consonants t-l-n."

Geography
Tolono is located at 39.98611°N, -88.25972°W (39.986046, -88.259727). According to the history of Champaign County: A surveyor for the Illinois Central who was looking for a division headquarters, surveyed the Tolono area and wrote on a map 'too low, No.' and that became the name of the town established there. Tolono at one time had two or three companies making tile used to drain the land around the town, resulting in swamps on the east side of the town both on the north and south side of the Wabash Railroad.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Tolono has a total area of 2.06 sqmi,all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 3,604 people, 1,150 households, and 789 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,748.67 PD/sqmi. There were 1,458 housing units at an average density of 707.42 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.12% White, 1.11% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 5.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.61% of the population.

There were 1,150 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.57% were married couples living together, 18.09% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.39% were non-families. 26.96% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.52% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34 and the average family size was 2.66.

The village's age distribution consisted of 26.1% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 27% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $62,788, and the median income for a family was $92,452. Males had a median income of $55,521 versus $31,643 for females. The per capita income for the village was $26,693. About 10.5% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 30.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

Founded in the early 19th century as a result of the land-grant Illinois Central Railroad's expansion southward, Tolono was initially home to many railroad employees. Many streets bear the names of the IC's administrative staff. The original homes in the community were small and narrow filling half lots adjacent to the railroad tracks. With the intersection of an east-west railway, Tolono became a featured stop for early rail passengers. The peak of the railroad's passenger influence in Tolono occurred when Tolono became the last stop in Illinois for Abraham Lincoln as he bid farewell to his home state in a speech given from the back of his coach.

In 1959, Tolono became home to the first Monical's Pizza restaurant. Although the original location does not bear the Monical's name any longer, the buildings still stand and another Monical's Pizza is operated less than a block away. Members of the entrepreneurial Monical family still reside in the village today.

After shooting in several locations in Tolono in 2006, Mark Roberts, a Tolono native, wrapped production on his feature-length movie "Welcome To Tolono". The film was highlighted on the 2007 film festival circuit. Welcome To Tolono focuses on an Alcoholics Anonymous group that meets in the basement of a Tolono church.

Notable people

 * Brian Cardinal, NBA forward, who led the league in True Shooting Percentage in 2003-04
 * George Washington Burr, Major General during World War I
 * Mark Roberts, screenwriter, playwright, producer, actor, and comedian; best known for creating the American sitcom Mike & Molly
 * Rocky Ryan, NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears

Schools
Community Unit School District # 7 or Unit Seven Schools is a district that services preschool through twelfth grade in the greater Tolono area. The school district covers 173 sqmi covering the communities of Tolono, Philo, Sidney, Sadorus, and Pesotum. In August 2002, there were three new schools, Unity East Elementary (approximately 300 students from Sidney and Philo), Unity West Elementary (approximately 400 students from Pesotum, Sadorus, and Tolono), and Unity Junior High (approximately 200 students district-wide) featuring the Rocket Center gymnasium. Along with the existing High School, there are now four schools instead of seven. The district is located in a rural agricultural setting 10 mi south of Champaign-Urbana, minutes from both Parkland College and the University of Illinois.

title: Tolono, Illinois


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Urbana, Illinois

Urbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Urbana had a population of 38,336. It is a principal city of the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, which had 236,000 residents in 2020.

Urbana is notable for sharing the main campus of the University of Illinois with its twin city of Champaign.

History
The Urbana area was first settled by Europeans in 1822, when it was called "Big Grove". When the county of Champaign was organized in 1833, the county seat was located on 40 acres of land, 20 acres donated by William T. Webber and 20 acres by M. W. Busey, considered to be the city's founder, and the name "Urbana" was adopted after Urbana, Ohio, the hometown of State Senator John W. Vance, who authored the Enabling Act creating Champaign County. The creation of the new town was celebrated for the first time on July 4, 1833.

Stores began opening in 1834. The first mills were founded in c. 1838-50. The town's first church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the parsonage, was built in 1840 by the Rev. A. Bradshaw, with the Baptist Church following in 1855. The Presbyterian Church was founded in 1856. The city's first school was built in 1854.

Urbana suffered a setback when the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, which had been expected to pass through town, was instead laid down two miles west, where the land was flatter. The town of West Urbana grew up around the train depot built there in 1854, and in 1861 its name was changed to Champaign. The competition between the two cities provoked Urbana to tear down the ten-year-old County Courthouse and replace it with a much larger and fancier structure, to ensure that the county seat would remain in Urbana.

Champaign-Urbana was selected as the site for a new state agricultural school, thanks to the efforts of Clark Griggs. Illinois Industrial University, which would evolve into the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, opened in 1868 with 77 students.

A number of efforts to merge Urbana and Champaign have failed at the polls.

On October 9, 1871, a fire burned much of downtown Urbana. Children playing with matches started the fire. (It is unrelated to the Great Chicago Fire that started the day before, though both fires occurred during severe drought and were spread by high winds.)

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Urbana has a total area of 11.90 sqmi, of which 11.83 sqmi (or 99.40%) is land and 0.07 sqmi (or 0.60%) is water.

Urbana borders the city of Champaign. The main campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is situated on this border. Together, these two cities are often referred to as Urbana-Champaign (the designation used by the University) or Champaign-Urbana (the more common usage, due to the larger size of Champaign). With the nearby village of Savoy they form the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 38,336 people, 17,295 households, and 6,680 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,220.97 PD/sqmi. There were 18,321 housing units at an average density of 1,539.32 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 51.61% White, 18.86% African American, 0.30% Native American, 18.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.57% from other races, and 7.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.52% of the population.

There were 17,295 households, out of which 17.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.57% were married couples living together, 8.99% had a female householder with no husband present, and 61.38% were non-families. 44.42% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 2.06.

The city's age distribution consisted of 11.7% under the age of 18, 38.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 13.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,984, and the median income for a family was $66,955. Males had a median income of $27,150 versus $25,511 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,365. About 11.4% of families and 29.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Candlestick Lane
Candlestick Lane is the name of a neighborhood in eastern Urbana. This neighborhood consists of Grant Place and adjacent properties on Fairlawn and Eastern Drives. It is called Candlestick Lane because every year the residents decorate their yards for Christmas with a lot of lights and figures. The tradition began in 1961 (maybe 1960) as a house-decorating contest sponsored by the Illinois Power Company. The neighborhood used its prize money to purchase electric candlesticks for each home. The City of Urbana installs special red and green street signs, reading "Candlestick Lane" and "Grant Place" during the Holiday season. The lights are turned on from around 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. from the third Saturday in December through New Years Day.

Market at the Square
The Market at the Square, also known as the Farmers' Market, has been a community event in Urbana since 1979. Every Saturday morning from some time in May to some time in November, dozens of vendors set up shop in the Lincoln Square parking lot in downtown Urbana. They primarily sell local produce (including corn, tomatoes, lettuce and watermelons), but one can also find local crafts, music, kettle corn and booths for various community and political organizations.

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival
The Urbana Sweetcorn Festival is an annual festival in Urbana. It was first held in August 1975 in the Busey Bank parking lot in downtown Urbana. It was a community event put on by employees of Busey Bank. Since then the Sweetcorn Festival has continued to grow. The Urbana Business Association is now responsible for the planning of the festival, over the years adding a local car show, an expanded family area, live music on multiple stages, food, vendors, beer, in the heart of downtown Urbana.

In addition to corn and beverages, the festival has offered a range of activities and events, including a display of antique and other collectors' cars and volksmarches, arts events, a dog show, and a book sale organized by the Friends of the Urbana Free Library.

Urbana Lincoln Hotel
The Urbana Lincoln Hotel is connected to Lincoln Square Mall, an indoor walking mall, in the center of Urbana. The hotel was designed by famed Urbana architect Joseph Royer in 1923 and opened several rooms on November 1, 1923, to accommodate guests for the University's Homecoming game. The original building was built in the Tudor Revival style. A convention center was added in the 1970s in the Bavarian style. While being forced to close twice between 1990 and 2009, the hotel was purchased by a private developer in 2010 and underwent major rehabilitation. The hotel opened under new management and with a new name, Urbana Landmark Hotel, on December 1, 2012, but it closed in July 2015 and sold January 2020 for redevelopment as a Hilton Tapestry hotel.

Points of interest

 * University of Illinois Arboretum
 * University of Illinois Conservatory and Plant Collection
 * Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
 * Spurlock Museum
 * Station Theatre

Parks and recreation
Carle Park, established in 1909, is located at Indiana and Garfield, just west of Urbana High School in central Urbana. Measuring 8.3 acre, it contains a statue entitled Lincoln the Lawyer by Lorado Taft and more than 50 well-established trees that are part of the Hickman Tree Walk. The Lincoln statue was previously sited in front of the Urbana Lincoln Hotel, but was moved after only a few months.

Meadowbrook Park is located southeast of the Race Street and Windsor Road intersection. The park covers 130 acre, including 80 of recreated Illinois tallgrass prairie. Around the prairie restoration center of the park loops three miles of wide concrete path suitable for walking, running, and bicycling. In addition, for an off the beaten path experience, the park offers two miles of unpaved trails which wind through the prairie grass. Several small hills make the path unsuitable for inexperienced inline skaters. The path is adorned by about twenty large sculptures from local artists. A playground, shelter, and parking lot are located near the Windsor Road entrance. A community garden, an herbal garden, the Timpone Ornamental Tree Grove and a shelter are located near the Race Street entrance. The park also contains many streams which are among the first tributaries of the Embarras River.

The Urbana Dog Park, located on East Perkins Road, is a place to walk one's dog without a leash.

The Anita Purves Nature Center, located on the north end of Crystal Lake Park, offers nature education programs.

The "Art in the Park", just north of the Urbana City Hall (400 S. Vine St.) dedicated October 2012, took 22 years of struggle and efforts of three mayors. The environmental and sculptural artists/curator of the park, John David Mooney designed the plantings, walkways, a 12-foot high fountain sculpture (Falling Leaf), and a 33-foot high light sculpture (Spirit Tree). The Spirit Tree specifically gives new meaning to Urbana's designation as a "Tree City" and to trees as landmarks or beacons. Mooney, an internationally acclaimed artist, is a native to Champaign-Urbana.

Swimming pools
The Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center is a public indoor pool operated by the Urbana Park District and Urbana School District. It is located between Urbana High School and Urbana Middle School.

Crystal Lake Pool is a public outdoor pool. It is located on Broadway Street, across from the Anita Purves Nature Center. It was closed after the summer 2008 season due to deteriorating conditions and concomitant safety issues, it was rebuilt and reopened in 2013.

Campus Recreation Center East (CRCE) has an indoor leisure pool with a hot tub. CRCE is owned by the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. In Urbana, the pools in Freer Hall, formerly a 25-yard and 6-lane lap pool, and Kenney Gym have been closed and filled, the former redeveloped as research and teaching spaces.

Illinois Fighting Illini
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign fields ten men and eleven women varsity sports.

Minor league
Urbana has been home to several separate minor league baseball clubs in conjunction with Champagin. The Champaign-Urbana Velvets played in the Illinois–Missouri League from 1911 until the league disbanded after 1914. The city's most recent minor league team was the Champaign-Urbana Bandits who played during the single 1994 season of the Great Central League. The Bandits played at Illinois Field. Prior to holding postseason play, the league folded. The Champaign-Urbana Colts played in the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1990 until the team folded in 1996.

Government
Urbana has Mayor–council government, of the strong-mayor form. The city council has seven members, each elected from a different ward. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote.

Primary and secondary
Urbana High School's current building was built in 1914. It was designed by architect Joseph Royer who also designed many other area buildings such as the Urbana Free Library and the Champaign County Court House. The architecture is of the Tudor style defined primarily by the towers over the main entrance and flattened point arches over the doors.

Not part of the Urbana School District, University Laboratory High School, locally known as Uni High, is a publicly funded laboratory school located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana. It was founded in 1921. It is a research project of the University of Illinois College of Education.

Urbana Middle School was first known as Urbana Junior High School in 1953. In 2003 the school was renovated for space. The school currently serves 954 students from grades 6 to 8.

The Elementary schools in Urbana are Leal, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr., Thomas Paine, and Yankee Ridge. Urbana Early Childhood School is the former Washington Early Childhood Center and is located on the Prairie Campus next to Dr. Preston L. Williams Elementary.

Colleges and universities
Most of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus lies in this city. It is a public land-grant research university and the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system. It is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States with over 50,000 students enrolled annually, giving Urbana a large student population throughout the year.

Urbana Free Library
The Urbana Free Library, one of the first public libraries in Illinois, was founded in 1874 and is located in the downtown area. The historic building which houses the library was built in 1918. A major new addition was opened in 2005.

The library houses historical archives of Champaign County, which can be used for genealogical research. Established in 1956, the Champaign County Historical Archives is a department of the Urbana Free Library that maintains a research-level collection on the history and genealogy of Champaign County. In 1987 it was designated the official repository for non-current Champaign County records. Although it focuses on Champaign County, the Archives holds extensive collections of works dealing with the rest of Illinois and those states that document the significant migration routes of the communities that comprise Champaign County. The CCHA is also home to the Local History Online database. Local History Online gives access to holdings (books and journals, Champaign County records, City of Urbana municipal records, newspapers, directories, school yearbooks, images, maps, oral histories, local organization newsletters, and other special collections) of the Champaign County Historical Archives, including digital content. The catalog is frequently updated.

The library is publicly funded and receives additional support from about 600 people who have joined the Friends of the Urbana Free Library.

Media
FM radio
 * 88.1 W201CK (Translates 90.7 KHRI) "Air 1", Christian CHR
 * 88.7 WPCD, College Radio
 * 89.3 WGNJ, Religious
 * 90.1 WEFT, Community Radio, Variety
 * 90.9 WILL-FM, Classical music,  Public Radio, (RDS), broadcasting from Urbana
 * 91.7 WBGL, Christian AC (RDS)
 * 92.5 WREE "Rewind 92.5", Classic Hits (RDS – Artist/Title)
 * 93.5 WSJK "ESPN Radio" Sports (RDS)
 * 94.5 WLRW "Mix 94.5" Hot AC (RDS – Artist/Title) (HD Radio)
 * 95.3 WJEK "Sunny 95.3" Adult contemporary (RDS)
 * 96.1 WQQB "Q 96", CHR/Pop (RDS)
 * 97.5 WHMS-FM "Lite Rock 97.5" Adult Contemporary
 * 99.1 WYXY "Extra 99.1" Rock (RDS – Artist/Title)
 * 99.7 WQQB "Hits 99.7"Popular and Hip hop
 * 100.3 WIXY "WIXY 100.3" Country (RDS – Artist/Title)
 * 100.9 WHPO "100.9 WHPO" Country
 * 101.1 W266AF (Translates 90.9 WILL-FM HD2), 24-hour Classical music
 * 102.5 WGNN, Religious
 * 103.9 W280DE (Translates 102.5 WGNN), Religious
 * 104.5 WRFU-LP "Radio Free Urbana", Community/Political Activism(Low-power 100 watts FM)
 * 105.5 WCZQ "Hot 105.5" Hip Hop and R&B
 * 105.9 WGKC "Classic Rock 105.9 WGKC" Classic Rock
 * 107.1 WPGU College Radio Alternative
 * 107.9 WKIO "Classic Rock 107 9" Classic rock

AM radio
 * 580 WILL, Public Radio, broadcasting from Urbana
 * 1400 WDWS, News/Talk (AM Stereo)
 * 1460 WJCI, Hispanic

Analog television
 * 3 WCIA, CBS
 * 7 W07DD, Three Angels Network
 * 12 WILL-TV, PBS
 * 15 WICD "NewsChannel 15", ABC
 * 17 WAND, NBC
 * 23 WBUI, The CW
 * 27 WCCU "Fox 55/27"
 * 34 W33AY, Trinity Broadcast Network
 * 44 WBXC-CA, MTV 2
 * 49 WCIX "My WCFN TV", My Network TV
 * 51 WEIU, PBS

Digital television (DTV)
 * 9 WILL-DT, PBS
 * 18 WAND-DT, NBC
 * 22 WBUI-DT, WB
 * 26 WCCU-DT, Fox
 * 41 WICD-DT, ABC
 * 48 WCIA-DT, CBS
 * 50 WEIU-DT, PBS

Print
 * The News-Gazette, daily local newspaper
 * Daily Illini
 * Buzz Weekly
 * The Public I indie media newspaper

Transportation
Downtown Urbana is located southwest of the intersection of its two busiest streets: U.S. 150 (University Avenue) and U.S. 45 (Vine Street-Cunningham Avenue).

Most of Urbana lies south of I-74. There are three exits (from west to east): Lincoln (I-74 milepost 183), Cunningham (184) and University (185). The Lincoln exit is closest to the University of Illinois, while the Cunningham exit goes to downtown Urbana. The University exit goes to downtown Urbana as well as Illinois Route 130 to Philo.

Local bus service is primarily provided by the Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District, although limited service is available from Champaign County Area Rural Transit System and Danville Mass Transit, operators which primarily serve Rantoul and Danville respectively.

The Norfolk Southern operates an east to west line through Urbana. The NS line connects industries in eastern Urbana to the Norfolk Southern main line at Mansfield, Illinois, west of Champaign. The line now operated by Norfolk Southern is the former Peoria & Eastern Railway, later operated as part of the Big Four (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway), New York Central, Penn Central, and Conrail systems, being sold by Conrail to Norfolk Southern in 1996. Construction of the line was begun by the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington and Pekin Railroad. This short-lived entity became part of the Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western Railway before the railroad was completed. A branch line of the Norfolk and Western Railway (formerly the Wabash Railroad) used to connect Urbana with the main line from Danville to Decatur at Sidney, Illinois, but this was first rerouted and later closed in the early 1990s.

University of Illinois Willard Airport serves the city.

In popular culture
In the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, Urbana was named as the location where the HAL 9000 computer of the ill-fated Discovery Mission to Jupiter was programmed. The 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot also mentions Urbana. Near the beginning of this film, Jack Lemmon's character, an unemployed bass player, suggests to Tony Curtis, a saxophone player, that the two visit Urbana to play at the University of Illinois. Instead, the two musicians elected to join a women's band in Florida. Urbana provides the setting for Bert I. Gordon's 1957 science fiction film, Beginning of the End. Parodied on the television program, Mystery Science Theater 3000, this movie features the unintentional creation of dangerous, giant grasshoppers as a result of agricultural research gone awry.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign English Professor and National Book Award winner Richard Powers set his novel Galatea 2.2 at the multidisciplinary Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. Spanish writer Javier Cercas uses Urbana as the geographical background for two of his novels, "La velocidad de la luz" (2005) and "El inquilino" (1989).

The "American Football House", which is famously pictured on emo band American Football's albums, is located at 704 West High Street.

Sister cities
Urbana is twinned with three sister cities:
 * Zomba, Malawi
 * Haizhu, Guangzhou, China
 * Thionville, France

The city of Urbana has been awarded a major grant from Sister Cities International to undertake a trilateral pilot project involving Urbana, Zomba, Malawi, and the Haizhu District, China. The one-year Sino-African Initiative grant is for up to $100,000 and will involve a collaborative effort to improve the municipal waste disposal system in Zomba, a city of 88,000 in southeast Africa. Urbana has had a Sister City relationship with Zomba since 2008, another relationship with Haizhu District, Guangzhou City, China since 2012, and added a third sister city charter with Thionville, France in 2014. Urbana is one of only three cities in the United States to be awarded a Sino-African grant. The others are Denver and an Asheville/Raleigh, N.C., joint team application.

title: Urbana, Illinois


text:
Assumption, Illinois

Assumption is a city in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,155 as of the 2020 census.

History
Assumption originally was called "Tacusah". The present name is after Assumption Parish, Louisiana. A post office called Assumption has been in operation since 1858. Assumption lays claim to the deepest coal mine (abandoned in the 1930s) in the state at over 1000' below the surface. First National Bank of Assumption (founded in 1900) claims to be the oldest bank in Christian County as it was the only bank in the county to remain open during the Great Depression.

In May 2017, news reached Assumption of the recovery of the remains of United States Air Force Captain Joseph S. Smith, a pilot shot down over Cambodia in 1971 during the Vietnam War. A large portion of the community turned out for his repatriation and interment in July 2017.

Geography
According to the 2020 census, Assumption has a total area of 0.88 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,155 people, 514 households, and 262 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.67 PD/sqmi. There were 576 housing units at an average density of 581.82 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.20% White, 0.52% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 514 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.63% were married couples living together, 12.45% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.03% were non-families. 30.54% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.53% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 2.24.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.9% under the age of 18, 19.8% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,563, and the median income for a family was $57,083. Males had a median income of $32,692 versus $20,761 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,281. About 12.6% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Until 1992, Assumption was served by the Assumption School District #9. Since 1992, Assumption has been served by the Central A&M School District, which also includes the village of Moweaqua, as well as the nearby rural areas. Central A&M Middle School (grades 6-8) and Bond Elementary School (preK-2) are located in Assumption, as well as the school district office.

Enrollment at the middle school is approximately 170 students.

Assumption is also home to Kemmerer Village, a private Presbyterian childcare agency, named for donor Philip Kemmerer who willed 400 acre to "the orphans and friendless poor of all denominations" in 1884. Originally known as Kemmerer Orphan Home, the facility opened in 1914. In 1930, the named was changed to Kemmerer Children's Home. Eventually the name became Kemmerer Village.

Notable people

 * Lloyd Burdick, football player
 * James T. Carroll, Los Angeles City Council member, 1933, born in Assumption
 * John Dudra, MLB infielder for the Boston Braves, was born in Assumption in 1916
 * Brant Hansen, radio personality, graduated from Assumption High School, 1987

title: Assumption, Illinois


text:
Bulpitt, Illinois

Bulpitt is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 212 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Bulpitt has a total area of 0.07 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 212 people, 77 households, and 60 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,072.46 PD/sqmi. There were 99 housing units at an average density of 1,434.78 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.45% White, 0.94% from other races, and 6.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 77 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.16% were married couples living together, 29.87% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.08% were non-families. 14.29% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.39% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27 and the average family size was 3.06.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.0% under the age of 18, 19.5% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $59,250, and the median income for a family was $59,500. Males had a median income of $49,000 versus $35,446 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,528. About 8.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 25.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Bulpitt, Illinois


text:
Edinburg, Illinois

Edinburg is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,085 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Edinburg has a total area of 0.63 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,085 people, 427 households, and 293 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,736.00 PD/sqmi. There were 509 housing units at an average density of 814.40 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.10% White, 0.18% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.66% from other races, and 3.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.66% of the population.

There were 427 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.82% were married couples living together, 11.24% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.38% were non-families. 23.19% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.35% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 2.55.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.4% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 28% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $61,042, and the median income for a family was $87,589. Males had a median income of $42,167 versus $29,896 for females. The per capita income for the village was $29,631. About 13.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.

Labor Day Festivities
Since 1945 Edinburg boasts an annual Labor Day Picnic and Parade which emphasizes the rural and agricultural history of the area. Activities including demolition derbies, tractor pulls, chili cook-offs, live music, games,  rides, tournaments and a Labor Day Parade.

title: Edinburg, Illinois


text:
Harvel, Illinois

Harvel is a village in Christian and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 178 at the 2020 census, down from 223 in 2010.

Geography
Harvel is in southwestern Christian County and northern Montgomery County, split approximately evenly between the two. Illinois Route 48 (Front Street) passes through the village, leading southwest 3.5 mi to Raymond and northeast 19 mi to Taylorville, the Christian County seat. Hillsboro, the Montgomery County seat, is 15 mi to the south via county roads.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Harvel has a total area of 0.72 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 178 people, 92 households, and 61 families residing in the village. The population density was 247.91 PD/sqmi. There were 100 housing units at an average density of 139.28 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.07% White, 0.56% Native American, and 3.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.25% of the population.

There were 92 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.35% were married couples living together, 6.52% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 27.17% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 2.67.

The village's age distribution consisted of 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $56,875. Males had a median income of $48,125 versus $19,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,360. About 8.2% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Harvel history
Harvel was incorporated as a village in 1873, named for John Harvel, a distinguished Civil War veteran who resided in the area. The first settlers of the area were of German, French, and English extraction, and came to Harvel primarily from the eastern region of the United States.

Notable people

 * Mortimer A. Cullen (1891 – 1954), New York state politician
 * Ray Schalk (1892 – 1970), catcher for the Chicago White Sox, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1955)

title: Harvel, Illinois


text:
Jeisyville, Illinois

Jeisyville is a small village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 102 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Jeisyville has a total area of 0.12 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 102 people, 28 households, and 15 families residing in the village. The population density was 836.07 PD/sqmi. There were 47 housing units at an average density of 385.25 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 90.20% White, 0.98% Asian, and 8.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.

There were 28 households, out of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.43% were married couples living together, 0.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.43% were non-families. 32.14% of all households were made up of individuals, and 32.14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 2.07.

The village's age distribution consisted of 20.7% under the age of 18, none from 18 to 24, 15.5% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 48.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 155.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $67,500, and the median income for a family was $51,875. Males had a median income of $57,500 versus $45,313 for females. The per capita income for the village was $36,953. None of the population was below the poverty line.

title: Jeisyville, Illinois


text:
Kincaid, Illinois

Kincaid is a village in Christian County, Illinois. The population was 1,349 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Kincaid has a total area of 0.82 sqmi, all land. The village is located near Sangchris Lake.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,349 people, 643 households, and 383 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,651.16 PD/sqmi. There were 691 housing units at an average density of 845.78 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.44% White, 0.59% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 4.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 643 households, out of which 17.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.06% were married couples living together, 6.84% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.44% were non-families. 32.35% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.53% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 2.22.

The village's age distribution consisted of 14.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 35.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $57,139, and the median income for a family was $82,250. Males had a median income of $53,194 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $34,174. About 5.5% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Larry Bucshon, congressman from Indiana (IN-8); grew up in Kincaid
 * Harry Chiti, catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets; born in Kincaid
 * Chuck Boerio, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers; born in Kincaid

title: Kincaid, Illinois


text:
Morrisonville, Illinois

Morrisonville is a small town in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 997 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Morrisonville has a total area of 1.04 sqmi, all land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Morrisonville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Morrisonville was 111 F on July 14, 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded was -29 F on February 12, 1899.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 997 people, 439 households, and 315 families residing in the village. The population density was 963.29 PD/sqmi. There were 446 housing units at an average density of 430.92 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.98% White, 0.20% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.20% from other races, and 4.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.

There were 439 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.31% were married couples living together, 10.25% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.25% were non-families. 25.28% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 2.56.

The village's age distribution consisted of 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $64,219, and the median income for a family was $77,847. Males had a median income of $50,078 versus $30,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $31,368. About 5.4% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

History
Morrisonville is a small, rural town in Central Illinois. It is located 45 mi south of the state's capital, Springfield. Morrisonville has a rich history dating back to a time when it was used as a hunting ground for Native American Indians.

Before settlers established a town, four Indian tribes lived on Morrisonville's land, the Sac, Fox, Pottawatomie, and Kickapoo. They competed with each other for buffalo, elk, and deer. Morrisonville was also part of the Black Hawk hunting ground.

Since 1492, six flags have flown over what is now Morrisonville, including Spain, France, Great Britain, Virginia, Indiana, and Illinois. Germans have also settled in this area. The Marsch's and Millburgs were directly from Germany and settled there.

The town was incorporated under the general city and village law in May 1872. The first board of trustees consisted of the following: C.M. Leiberman, Dr. C. Voorhees, W.T. Ricks, E.S. Shull, and J.R. Hall. Siras Irion was police magistrate.

There were a few events that led up to this, such as on June 14, 1851, when Thomas Carlin, a former governor of Illinois, paid $1.25 an acre for land that is now Morrisonville, and in the fall of 1869, when Colonel James Morrison laid out the plat for the town. Colonel Morrison married Mary Ann Carlin in 1842. Mary Ann Carlin's parents were Thomas A. Carlin and Rebecca Huitt Carlin. (Thomas Carlin established the town of Carrollton, Illinois, and the town of Carlinville is named in his honor.)

After Carlin purchased the land, he left it to his daughter, and she left it to her husband, Morrison, and then, when the town was established, it was named after him. In fact, on Perrine Street, there is still a house that Colonel Morrison built and lived in with his wife after the town of Morrisonville was established. Col. Morrison made an agreement with the railroad company that he would help build a new town if the railroad company would make Morrisonville a regular place to stop.

Even though the town was named after Morrison, Joseph Poggenpohl built the first house in the Morrisonville area in February 1870. Then, in May of the same year, the railroad was laid diagonally through Morrisonville. Once the railroad was established, Morrisonville became a regular stopping place for all trains and passengers. As soon as this happened, the town grew in population and business. After the first resident in the town proper, Richard McLean, built his house, people came here looking for a better living.

Since 1871, many land additions have been annexed to this town, such as T.F. Potts, Perrine, Johnson, Pence, Cloyd, and Shull. All of these streets were named after people who loved the land of Morrisonville and wanted to see it grow and prosper. Since its founding in 1872, people have found many ways to socialize, learn, live, and make a living in Morrisonville.

The first Morrisonville picnic was held on August 27, 1923, and it included a parade beginning on Sarpy Street, and marching to the City Park, speakers, a $1.00 prize for the tallest and shortest man, a fat man race, and free movies shown. Many people attended the event, as they still do today. It also includes the world's largest bull frog jumping contest.

A craze that hit Morrisonville in the mid-1880s was roller skating. In fact, it was so popular a building was built just for roller skating. It was later used as the Knights of Columbus hall. In 1926, the Knights of Columbus purchased the “Opera House” from the Morrisonville Moose Lodge. Many activities were held there, including dances, card parties, talent shows, church bazaar, and roller-skating.

Ever since the 1920s, the local lumber company (Morrisonville Lumber Company) has remained in the same location, and fire has destroyed two office buildings; one in the early 1920s, and one in 1974.

Through the years, Morrisonville has been known as a very religious community. Some churches in Morrisonville are the First Baptist Church, the First United Presbyterian Church, St. Maurice Church, and the United Methodist Church. Colonel Morrison donated the land for St. Maurice. The first church was a large frame building on the corner of Fuller and Third Streets, and cost $4,000. “Schools in and around Morrisonville have made a big part of our history.”

In 1870, the first school was built. It also served as a Sunday school and a town hall. The present St. Maurice School was built in 1922, and contained a full basement and a large room across the entire front of the school. “Country children would drive a horse and buggy to school.”

Some of the first businesses to open in Morrisonville that are still open today are Becker's Clothing Store and Morrisonville Lumber Company.

When Morrisonville abandoned the old Village Hall/firehouse, the Morrisonville Historical Society was organized in an effort to raise funds for preservation of this historic building, and renovate it for a museum. They housed artifacts such as old clothing, dolls and doll furniture, a collection of typewriters, old school and business pictures, sports memorabilia, and Morrisonville's first jail cell.

Organizations

 * Morrisonville Farmer's Co-op Company
 * Morrisonville Times
 * Boy Scouts
 * American Legion Auxiliary
 * Girl Scouts
 * FFA
 * 4-H Club
 * Kitchell Memorial Library
 * Knights of Columbus

Churches

 * First Baptist Church
 * First United Presbyterian Church
 * St. Maurice Catholic Church
 * The United Methodist Church

Cemeteries

 * St. Maurice Cemetery
 * Morrisonville Cemetery

Schools

 * Morrisonville Elementary School
 * St. Maurice Catholic School (Now Closed)
 * Chrismont Safe School (Moved to Nokomis)
 * Morrisonville Jr./Sr. High School

Museums

 * Morrisonville Historical Museum

Notable people

 * Augustus "Gus" Belt, the founder of the Steak 'n Shake food chain; born in Morrisonville
 * Harry Forrester, member of Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame and Quincy University Hall of Fame; born in nearby Raymond, Illinois
 * Wayne Rosenthal, state of Illinois official (Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
 * Al Unser, catcher for the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds; born in Morrisonville

The Village Hall
The village hall in Morrisonville was constructed in 1891.

The original construction was destroyed by fire in April 1891, and construction on the present building was started soon after the fire.

The bricks used in this structure were manufactured in Morrisonville at the Fleigle Tile yard.

After its completion, the second floor of the building was used as the office and meeting place for the village board of trustees; the jail and storage area for the fire equipment being on the ground floor.

Because of deterioration of the second floor, the village board has been holding their meetings for the past few years in a rented building on Carlin Street.

General Stores
N.N. Bell built the first store building, and goods for his store were the first shipped on the new railroad. C.M. Leiberman built and opened up the second store, and his store, as that of Mr. Bell, was located on Carlin Street. D.F. Bonnell became the third merchant, all of these men entering commercial life at Morrisonville during 1870.

On February 8, 1915, the DRL Supply Company began business in Morrisonville. The Lentz brothers, Henry and Theodore, started in business when they purchased the interest of the late E.C. Dey in the grocery and dry goods firm that was then known as Dey & Rittger. The firm name was changed to DRL Supply Co., with the late Charles Rittger managing the dry goods department and the Lentz brothers in charge of the grocery department. In April 1936, the buildings housing the DRL were destroyed by fire and all stock was a total loss. The store was rebuilt immediately following the fire, and in November 1937, there was a move into a new modern brick building. DRL Supply Co. is now closed and has been for many years.

Other general stores opened in the past include Thatcher Millinery and Fancy Goods Store and Johnson Equipment Company.

Grocers and bakeries
Some of the older grocery stores in Morrisonville were DRL Supply Company, Atzger Bakery & Confectionery, Miller Bros. Meat Market, W.L. Long, Weber's Grocery, and others.

In 1937, Melvin Stewart came to Morrisonville from Hillsboro, with his wife, Elizabeth, and sons, Bob and Jim. He worked for the late Charles Shake in his grocery store and meat market for four years. In 1941, Melvin's brother, Robert H. and his family also moved to Morrisonville, and the two brothers opened a small IGA store which was located in the former Zeb Safrit grocery store building. Later, with the encouragement and patronage of farmers in the community, they installed a locker plant in the rear of the building. When the locker business was discontinued in 1952, Mr. Stewart remodeled the store. The Green's Tavern and Smitty's TV buildings have since been added to the store. In the 1980s, a bakery, movie rental, and coffee shop were added to the business. Vicky Furness was the owner. In 2013 the beloved IGA closed due to the death of Vicky. In 2013, Larry Langen along with his wife Susan, and brother John Langen bought the grocery store. They tore it down and built a completely new grocery store in its place. It is called "Sixth Street Market".

In Morrisonville's early days, a grocery store would have looked like this: the front entrance was in the middle of the front wall and often consisted of double doors that could be opened to admit the passage of large articles, and often similar double doors on each side that could be opened when necessary to take counters and such bulky objects in or out of the building. The upper parts of all these doors were fitted with glass to allow the entrance of as much light as possible. Called transom windows, they would tilt inward allowing air near the ceiling to flow in the days before air conditioning.

title: Morrisonville, Illinois


text:
Mount Auburn, Illinois

Mount Auburn is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 452 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Mount Auburn has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, of which 1.00 sqmi (or 99.90%) is land and 0.00 sqmi (or 0.10%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 452 people, 273 households, and 172 families residing in the village. The population density was 452.91 PD/sqmi. There were 215 housing units at an average density of 215.43 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.14% White, 0.22% African American, 0.66% Asian, 1.33% from other races, and 4.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 273 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.61% were married couples living together, 1.83% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 27.11% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.45% 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 2.36.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 39.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 119.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $49,904, and the median income for a family was $67,717. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $29,479 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,930. About 4.1% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

History
Mount Auburn was founded on July 11, 1839. It was seriously considered as possibility for the state capital at the time the center of government was moved from Vandalia to Springfield.

The following information was found in an article by Jane Long in The Breeze, a Taylorville newspaper. >

MT. AUBURN — In the early beginnings of this country, as pioneers trekked west for opportunity and prosperity, the old Cumberland Road, which began at Cumberland, Maryland, was left by many at Terre Haute, Indiana. These people then followed what was known as the Terre Haute-Decatur-Springfield Trail, which passed south of Decatur, south of the Sangamon River, through what became Mt. Auburn and on to Springfield. The Village of Mt. Auburn was founded in 1839, located on an elevation about fifty feet above the surrounding country.

In the "Springfield Journal" of September 18, 1839, the new village was described as follows: "This elevation is most beautiful and commands an extensive view, overlooking the country for some ten or fifteen miles, and embracing within the limits of vision the towns of Allenton, Stonington, and but for an intervening skirt of time Edinburg, and part of Sangamon and Logan counties. The improvements in Mt. Auburn are at this time limited. It was surveyed and platted by J.R. Skinner, on July 11, 1839. Not a blow had been struck for its improvement until this date. Now it has one large store, one large barn designed for the use of a tavern, and one dwelling house. Materials are now collected for the erection of a brick tavern house, which it is intended will be second to none in the state. Within a circuit of eight miles around Mt. Auburn 140 families are located. The population recently arrived is mostly from the New England states. The old residents are generally from Kentucky, Tennessee and the south.

"This tract of country, for beauty, fertility and health, we do not believe is exceeded in any location in the state. The land is gently and agreeable undulating, such as any eastern man would select for a farm, every foot of which seems capable of cultivation."

Established on May 8 of that year, the Mt. Auburn Post Office is reputed to be the oldest now in existence in Christian County. For years, rumor had it that Mt. Auburn was even considered as a site for the state capital, along with Springfield, Quincy and East St. Louis, when the capital was moved from Vandalia.

The first steam mill in the county was done by John B. Augur in Mt. Auburn in the summer of 1840. It consisted of a saw mill and one pair of burrs for grinding corn. Augur settled in Mt. Auburn as an agent of an Eastern colony company that owned a tract of land containing about 40,000 acres in Dane County (later called Christian County), 15,000 of which are heavily timbered. He also was the proprietor of the first store in the village, which he opened in 1839, and was the first postmaster.

Early Mt. Auburn commerce included two stores, blacksmith shop, tavern, and other commerce around a square at the top of the hill. The Terre Haute-to-Quincy stage route brought travelers to the village.

The First United Methodist Church of Mt. Auburn had its beginning in 1843 with the organization of a church class by six people at a meeting held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Benson. The class continued until 1851, when a Methodist circuit was formed that consisted of Mt. Auburn, Eagle School and Washington School in Christian County and Nebraska School and Blue Mound in Macon County. Construction of a church located where the present building stands was completed in 1856 at a cost of about $3000. Mrs. Gregg, a cousin of Harry Bottrell's mother, gave the ground where the church stands and also the Mt. Auburn Cemetery site. The church trustees voted on May 16, 1868, to erect a parsonage. The first church stood on almost the same site as the present one, with two doors, one for the men and women entering in the other. The present church was erected on the site of the old church in 1926, and dedication took place on March 20–27, 1927.

In 1866 the congregation of the Church of Christ which had been holding services in the Brush Schoolhouse, some three miles northeast of Mt. Auburn, moved their church into the village and built a chapel. It was later remodeled in 1898. In 1875 the congregation broke up, and for a period of twelve years the house was opened only for funerals. A series of meetings were held in 1887 and revived the congregation. The current house of worship for the Mt. Auburn Church of Christ was erected in 1918.

A cholera epidemic in 1854 created many deaths and caused those who did survive to leave the hill.

Originally incorporated in 1862, the charter was later relinquished and then rechartered in 1892.

When the Indianapolis-Decatur and Western Railroad extended its line from Decatur to Springfield in 1901, village commerce moved to the south side of the hill, causing a building boom for both businesses and residential property. Mt. Auburn was reportedly the most important station between the two cities. Other stations along the line in Christian County were Osbernville, Bolivia and Roby.

The Mt. Auburn Independent Telephone System, a locally owned telephone system, was established in early 1905 by local businessmen F. B. Mulberry and Carl Miller. Mt. Auburn had a great building boom in the spring of 1905, both in the business and residential districts. Every business house but one decided to move from the top of the hill to the south end of town. Their buildings were either moved or new ones were built.

Commerce in 1906 included the railroad station, livery stable, hardware and implement stores, lumber yard, barber shop, saloons, elevator, hotel, harness shops, opera house, bank, restaurants and drug stores, to name a few.

In 1911 Oliver Hardy, Edward L. Smith, S. R. Shepherd and F. B. Mulberry formed a partnership and took over the business of the First National Bank that was first opened in 1901. This bank has continued to provide services for residents of Mt. Auburn and the surrounding community throughout the years, one of the oldest banks in the county.

In 1918, the Wurl Electric Light Company brought electricity to those who could afford it.

Four daily trains provided connections east and west with the rest of the world.

A serious fire in 1922 destroyed many businesses along the west side of Broad Street, but shortly new construction replaced those that were lost.

The construction of the munition plant near Illiopolis during World War II was a boom to the local economy. Even though many young men and women from the area served their country in the war effort, many others served at home by working at the plant.

In February 1919, a petition was initiated to establish a community high school, which would take in five school districts in Mosquito Township and four school districts in Mt. Auburn Township. The petition was filed and the election was to be held on March 8, 1919. The election was canceled by the State Superintendent due to a Supreme Court ruling invalidating the law under which the petition was filed.

In July 1919, a second petition was initiated. This election was held on July 19, 1919, with voters approving the establishment of the Mt. Auburn Community High School by a vote of 290 to 139.

On Monday, September 22, 1919, the Mt. Auburn Community High School began classes with twenty-two pupils and two instructors. Classes were held in the lower level of the Masonic Lodge.

After one unsuccessful referendum, the voters approved a proposition on October 10, 1925, to purchase a site and construct a high school. The Mt. Auburn High School was built in 1926 on what was then known as the D.C. Armstrong site, twelve lots one block east of the village park. The total cost of the original building was reportedly $44,184, with the site costing $1800.

On Monday, September 6, 1926, the new Mt. Auburn High School opened for classes with 69 students enrolled. The first graduating class from the new building was in 1927.

On March 1, 1949, an architect was employed to design an addition to the building which would house the library, agriculture class room and shop area. In 1951 the addition was constructed as a cost of $44,000. On November 16, 1952, this new addition was dedicated.

The present elementary school was built in 1952, with a cafeteria and gymnasium, as well as a large playground and an agricultural experiment acreage. Mt. Auburn had become a unit school in 1949.

On November 7, 1989, voters approved the idea to deactivate the high school and tuition the students to Taylorville High School. With the 69th graduation on May 25, 1990, the Mt. Auburn Community High School classes came to an end. Records indicate that 1135 students graduated from Mt. Auburn.

In 1992 the school district annexed to the Taylorville School District. Though elementary children from grades kindergarten through fifth grade attend school in Mt. Auburn, junior- and senior-high students attend school in Taylorville. On July 4, 1992, the interior of the high school building was burned and on Monday, July 6, 1992, the building was demolished.

In August 1994, a twelve-foot-square, patio-style, brick memorial

was dedicated in the village park during the Mt. Auburn Farmers Picnic to honor the high school. The actual stone nameplate, salvaged from the high school, was placed on top of a black granite slab which included the etched image of the high school and its proud Eagle mascot.

With agriculture and ag-related industries the biggest of the community, today approximately twenty businesses are located in Mt. Auburn, though many of these are small businesses that are run from the business owners' homes. Businesses include a gas station, greenhouse and floral shop, auto repair, fertilizer company, elevator, tavern, bank, electrical contractor, building contractor and plumbing contractor. Though some of these businesses are relatively new, the First National Bank was begun in 1911. Hardy Fertilizer Co. celebrates its fortieth anniversary in the year 2000.

Though shopping malls, discount groceries and interstate highways have ended some of the commercial trade in Mt. Auburn, construction of such new enterprises as the new three-hole golf course and new fire station, both completed in 2000, new gas station built three years ago and the recently acquired village hall, along with about thirty-five building permits issued for new homes or major remodeling projects, indicate the growth in the village of approximately 550 people and the commitment of these residents to their home on the hill.

Picnic
An annual event is the Mount Auburn Picnic. Started in 1887 in Morganville by 13 men including Hi Montgomery and T. A. Montgomery, the picnic was moved to Mt Auburn in 1919. Currently the event is held in the Mount Auburn city park.

title: Mount Auburn, Illinois


text:
Moweaqua, Illinois

Moweaqua is a village in Shelby and Christian counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,764 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Moweaqua has a total area of 2.30 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 1,764 people, 877 households, and 598 families residing in the village. The population density was 767.62 PD/sqmi. There were 817 housing units at an average density of 355.53 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.92% White, 0.91% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.

There were 877 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.11% were married couples living together, 8.44% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.81% were non-families. 25.66% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.57% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 2.46.

The village's age distribution consisted of 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $61,250, and the median income for a family was $76,000. Males had a median income of $48,882 versus $25,294 for females. The per capita income for the village was $26,487. About 10.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Moweaqua is served by the Central A&M School District, which was established in 1993, and also includes the city of Assumption as well as the nearby rural areas. Central A&M High School (grades 9-12) and Gregory Intermediate School (3-5) are located in one building on the northern edge of Moweaqua. The high school enrollment is approximately 300 students, and their teams are known as the Raiders. The Girls' Varsity Basketball team went to the state competition in 2008 and won third place. The Central A&M FFA Chapter is also a successful chapter in section, district and State FFA Events, as well as community service activities.

History
Moweaqua was named after a small stream 1.5 miles south of the station, called by the Indians Moweaqua, a Pottawatamie word that means "she that weeps". From 1891 until 1935, Moweaqua was the site of a gassy coal mine that mined coal from Pennsylvanian strata. On the morning of December 24, 1932, fifty-four coal miners, the entire day shift, were killed by a methane gas explosion in the Moweaqua coal mine disaster. The incident occurred on the morning of Christmas Eve, and one of the deceased miners, Tom Jackson, had been scheduled to play Santa Claus in a party to be held that evening for his fellow townspeople. The tragic explosion, together with the election in the previous month (November 1932) of the pro-labor Seventy-Third Congress, led to the passage of mine safety legislation and the phaseout of open-flame carbide miner's lanterns in United States coal mines. The Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum opened in 1986 to commemorate local coal miners, especially the victims of this disaster.

The 2009 movie "The Informant" starring Matt Damon was partially filmed in Moweaqua. The plot of the movie is based on the ADM price fixing scandal which occurred during the 1990s.

Notable people

 * Cecil Coombs, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox
 * Tom Candy Ponting, cattleman who drove the first herd of cattle from Texas to New York City
 * Brett Adcock, engineer and entrepreneur who founded Archer Aviation and Figure AI

title: Moweaqua, Illinois


text:
Owaneco, Illinois

Owaneco is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 209 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Owaneco has a total area of 0.46 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 209 people, 87 households, and 65 families residing in the village. The population density was 456.33 PD/sqmi. There were 93 housing units at an average density of 203.06 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 96.65% White, 0.96% African American, and 2.39% from two or more races. No residents reported an ethnicity of Hispanic or Latino.

There were 87 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.92% were married couples living together, 10.34% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.29% were non-families. 18.39% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.75% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 2.98.

The village's age distribution consisted of 17.0% under the age of 18, 15.1% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $64,063, and the median income for a family was $68,125. Males had a median income of $41,731 versus $24,792 for females. The per capita income for the village was $25,636. No of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Owaneco, Illinois


text:
Palmer, Illinois

Palmer is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 216 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Palmer has a total area of 1.00 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 216 people, 119 households, and 94 families residing in the village. The population density was 217.09 PD/sqmi. There were 100 housing units at an average density of 100.50 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.83% White, and 4.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 119 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.78% were married couples living together, 11.76% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.01% were non-families. 16.81% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.29% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 2.42.

The village's age distribution consisted of 21.9% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $65,625, and the median income for a family was $75,625. Males had a median income of $37,188 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,719. About 3.2% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.

History
Sometimes a railroad or highway built through a small town causes that place to grow; It was not so with Palmer. Palmer has maintained the same population for many years. The school building was abandoned and then torn down and the children are now bused to Morrisonville. The Palmer State Bank opened in 1912 and was the oldest state bank in the Christian County. It was the only one that did not close during the Depression, but finally, shut its doors in 2006.

Churches

 * Palmer Advent Christian Church

Cemeteries

 * Anderson Cemetery
 * Harpers Ferry Cemetery
 * St. Joseph's Durbin Cemetery

Early history of Palmer
The coming of the railroad in 1870 sounded the doom of Harpers Ferry, located on the Old Edwardsville Road. Harpers Ferry hosted a post office for Star Route pony express, a mill for grinding grain, a wayside station for the Stagecoach, and a few stores. The new village was laid out early in 1869 by J.H. Boyd and J.M. Simpson and was surveyed and platted by Richard V. Powell. Boyd and Simpson erected the first store in 1869 and the firm of Starke and Hailey put in a stock of goods. Boyd erected a hotel and his residence was included within the town limits. James McCauley opened the second store and when the first post office was established in 1870 it was housed in his building with G.E. Starke the first postmaster.

The village was incorporated on February 5, 1873, at a meeting called for that purpose. Forty-one votes were cast in favor of incorporation, and one against, giving as his reason for voting "no"-"to keep saloons out of the neighborhood." The village was given the name Palmer in honor of John M. Palmer, a major-general in the Union army and then Illinois governor from 1869 to 1873.

During the history of Palmer, there have been hardware stores, millinery stores, restaurants, lumber yards, harness shops, grocery stores, drug stores, shoe shops, butcher shops, elevators, blacksmith shops, saloons, hotels, pool halls, livery stables, bakeries, garages, post offices, and barber shops. The first hotel was owned by a family named the Stockings, the family of Ashley Basil, a 5-year-old killed in 1895 in the old coal shaft. Her final resting place is in Harpers Ferry.

Mining industry
A familiar landmark in Palmer is the old coal shaft. At one time it was the dream of a group of citizens in the area to sink a coal mine, bringing industry, employment, and fuel to the community. The site selected to sink the mine was in the southwest edge of town, on the north side of the railroad. According to ledgers still in existence, kept on sinking of the shaft, MacDonald and Bro., did the drilling. On March 30, 1872, the first share of stock was sold to Suplines Judd for $100. Many other shares were also sold for $100, some for $70 and some for $50. A total of seventy-two shares were sold in the amount of $5,460. Corporation papers were recorded on June 14, 1872. The cost of sinking the shaft was $2.50 per foot, and it is believed that the depth was approximately 500 ft. The last entry made in the ledger was November 3, 1873, the sinking of the shaft was abandoned with no reason given.

About 1932, Illinois State Route 48 was constructed through Palmer - part of it over the top of the old mine. On September 10, 1969, the old mine shaft, so long abandoned, become more dangerous than ever before. At 9:00 a.m. a little hole was visible, as though someone had hauled dirt away. By 3:45 p.m., the same day the hole was larger, 20 ft by 20 ft and deeper; that evening it was a large hole filled with water with rotted timbers floating on top and was 375 to 400 ft deep, threatening to flood the highway. The old mine shaft had caved in. Traffic was re-routed from the highway and the trains on the Norfolk and Western traveled at a very slow speed, as the Highway Department was afraid of a further cave in. Approximately 190 truckloads of slag, rock, and dirt were hauled to the site and the shaft was filled at an estimated cost of $30,000.

title: Palmer, Illinois


text:
Pana, Illinois

Pana is a small town in Christian County, Illinois, United States. A small portion is in Shelby County. The population was 5,199 at the 2020 census.

History

The area around Pana was first organized as Stone Coal Precinct in 1845. The county's precincts became townships in 1856, and Stone Coal Precinct became Pana Township, Christian County, Illinois. In 1857 the village of Pana was incorporated. The name "Pana" is believed to have been derived from the indigenous tribe, the Pawnee. It developed at the intersection of east–west and north–south railroads, and had supplies of fuel and water for the steam engines of the railroad.

This became a center of coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In April 1899 what is known as the Pana riot broke out after a violent confrontation between black and white miners. Initially a white man was killed (by a policeman, it was later discovered), and white union miners attacked black replacement workers who had been recruited from Alabama. Six additional people were killed: one white (likely also shot by a white man) and five blacks; in addition, six more black miners were wounded. While the immediate violence was quelled, blacks felt tremendous hostility. Rather than return to Alabama and the Jim Crow South, from where they had been recruited, 211 of the nearly 300 African Americans remaining in town moved west to Weir, Kansas, to work at another mine.

It came to be known as the City of Roses, a nickname coined by local newsmen, the Jordan Brothers. Many major florists and growers set up shop here. At one time, there were 109 greenhouses in Pana.

Kitchell Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The Louis Jehle House, added to the National Register in 1995, is also located in Pana.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Pana has a total area of 4.16 sqmi, of which 3.86 sqmi (or 92.60%) is land and 0.31 sqmi (or 7.40%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 5,199 people, 2,425 households, and 1,320 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,248.56 PD/sqmi. There were 2,772 housing units at an average density of 665.71 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.48% White, 0.38% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 3.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 2,425 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.27% were married couples living together, 13.77% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.57% were non-families. 37.57% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 2.15.

The town's age distribution consisted of 22.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,701, and the median income for a family was $52,935. Males had a median income of $41,116 versus $24,955 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,692. About 13.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Pana Heritage Days
The Pana Heritage Days are an annual festival that takes place during the last weekend in May. Streets are blocked off and are filled with multiple vendors and fair rides. Live band music is generally provided.

Labor Day Parade
The annual Pana Labor Day Parade is attended by up to 15,000 people, the largest such event in all of Illinois. The 2011 parade featured 343 firemen marching to lead the parade in an honor to the firemen, paramedics, and policemen who died in the September 11 attacks. Pana's Labor Day Parade in 2022 was the 88th parade the town has hosted.

Tri-County Fair
The Tri-County Fair is held annually and lasts for six days. The fair begins on the Wednesday before Labor Day and ends on Labor Day. It features many carnival rides, vendors, and games. Average attendance per day is 7,000.

Notable people

 * Nin Alexander (1858–1933), player for the Kansas City Unions and the St. Louis Browns, born in Pana
 * Warren Amling (1924–2001), football and basketball player, played for Ohio State, 1984 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, born in Pana
 * Michael J. Budds, (1947–2020) musicologist, author, and philanthropist
 * Howard Graham Buffett (born 1954), author, activist and philanthropist, owns a farm in rural Pana
 * Thomas Henry Carter (1854–1911), senator, grew up in Pana
 * Ed Coady (1867–1890), quarterback for Notre Dame, born in Pana
 * Pat Coady (1867–1943), quarterback for Notre Dame, born in Pana
 * Mike Cvengros (1900–1974), pitcher with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs, born in Pana
 * John Wesley Fribley (1906–2002), state senate (1934–1952)
 * Garet Garrett (1878–1954), 20th-century econo-political commentator and author
 * Hector Honore (1905–1983), race car driver and owner, died in Pana and was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in 1991
 * Jeff Keener (born 1959), pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Dick Klein (b. 1934–2005), All-Star offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys, the Boston Patriots, and the Oakland Raiders, born in Pana
 * Albert Marsh (1877–1944), inventor of chromel, born in Pana
 * Vincent Sheean (1899–1975), war correspondent and author of the book Personal History, born in Pana
 * Herb Siegert (1924–2008), former guard for the Washington Redskins, born in Pana (1924)

title: Pana, Illinois


text:
Stonington, Illinois

Stonington is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 837 at the 2020 census.

2018 tornado
On December 1, 2018, an EF2 tornado struck the western part of the village; there were no injuries or deaths.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Stonington has a total area of 0.46 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 837 people, 317 households, and 181 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,831.51 PD/sqmi. There were 395 housing units at an average density of 864.33 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.79% White, 0.36% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 5.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 317 households, out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.96% were married couples living together, 11.04% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.90% were non-families. 38.49% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.98% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 2.12.

The village's age distribution consisted of 18.9% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $56,094, and the median income for a family was $74,531. Males had a median income of $48,750 versus $37,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,187. About 12.2% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Roy A. Corzine (1882-1957), Illinois state representative and farmer, was born in Stonington; he served on the board of education for the Stonington Community High School.
 * Earl Bunn Fuller (1885-1947), was a pioneering American ragtime and early jazz bandleader, composer and instrumentalist was born in Stonington. Fuller helped to initiate the popularity of jazz in New York City shortly before America's entry into World War I. He also had an ear for talent and discovered Ted Lewis and Teddy Brown.

title: Stonington, Illinois


text:
Taylorville, Illinois

Taylorville is a city in and the county seat of Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 10,506 at the 2020 census, making it the county's largest city.

History
Taylorville was founded on May 24, 1839, and was named after John Taylor, a planning commissioner for the state of Illinois.

Taylorville was known (in the early to mid-1990s) to have had a high rate of neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting the adrenal gland and striking children. The local power company Central Illinois Public Service Company was sued and lost for contaminating the groundwater in 1994.

Some outer homes and a business in Taylorville were damaged by an F1 tornado on April 2, 2006.

On August 11, 2012, a Beechcraft Model 18 airplane crashed into a residential area of Taylorville, killing the pilot but injuring none on the ground. A subsequent NTSB investigation into the accident concluded that an improper flap configuration and failure to maintain the correct airspeed due to pilot error, resulted in the crash.

At about 5:15 PM on December 1, 2018, as part of the December 2018 tornado outbreak, an intense tornado hit Taylorville. The tornado injured at least 26 residents and damaged more than 600 homes and businesses, 34 of which were completely destroyed. Damage surveys by the National Weather Service rated the tornado EF3 with winds over 155 mph.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Taylorville has a total area of 12.23 sqmi, of which 10.32 sqmi (or 84.38%) is land and 1.91 sqmi (or 15.62%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 10,506 people, 5,064 households, and 2,507 families residing in the city. The population density was 859.39 PD/sqmi. There were 5,336 housing units at an average density of 436.48 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.81% White, 0.90% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.

There were 5,064 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.45% were married couples living together, 9.72% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.49% were non-families. 44.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.22% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 2.07.

The city's age distribution consisted of 20.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 27% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,397, and the median income for a family was $63,885. Males had a median income of $42,474 versus $28,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,513. About 9.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The IHSA single season boys' basketball record of 45–0 was set by Taylorville High School in 1944. Ron Bontemps and Johnny Orr were team members.

In 1911, the Taylorville Christians were a member of the Illinois–Missouri League, an American minor league baseball league. Future Baseball Hall of Famer Ray Schalk played on that team.

Media
The town newspaper is the Breeze-Courier, which is the only daily newspaper serving Christian County. The State Journal-Register, published in Springfield, Illinois, covers Taylorville and Christian County quite extensively. The Decatur, Illinois Herald & Review covers the area as well.

Transportation
Taylorville is served by Illinois Route 29, Illinois Route 48 and Illinois Route 104. By closest major city, Illinois Route 29 connects Taylorville to Springfield, Illinois; Illinois Route 48 connects to Decatur, Illinois – including, from there, highway access to Pana, Illinois via US Highway 51 and to Champaign, Illinois via Interstate 72; and Illinois Route 104 connects Taylorville to Jacksonville, Illinois.

Notable people

 * John J. Bullington - Illinois state representative, soldier, and politician; lived and practiced law in Taylorville
 * Jon Corzine - 54th Governor of New Jersey 2006–2010; United States Senator representing New Jersey 2001–2006; previously co-CEO of Goldman Sachs, and CEO and Chairman of MF Global;  born outside Taylorville and graduated from Taylorville High School
 * Yvonne Craig - actress who appeared in season 3 of the 1960s Batman TV series as Batgirl; born in Taylorville
 * Rodney Davis - Congressman, raised in Taylorville and graduated from Taylorville High School
 * James H. Forrester - Illinois state senator, judge, and lawyer; lived and practiced law in Taylorville
 * Harry B. Hershey - Illinois Supreme Court justice; lived in and served as mayor of Taylorville
 * Randy Hopper - Wisconsin State Senator; born in Taylorville
 * Vern Mullen - professional football player
 * Johnny Orr - basketball player and coach; born in Taylorville
 * Pat Perry - former MLB pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs; born in Taylorville
 * Edward Mills Purcell - discovered nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI); winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics (1952); born in Taylorville
 * James B. Ricks - Illinois Supreme Court justice; served as mayor of Taylorville
 * Jesse J. Ricks - attorney and Union Carbide executive; son of James B. Ricks
 * Ruth Robertson - photojournalist; born in Taylorville
 * Nook Schreier - musician and music director, born in Taylorville
 * Joyce Taylor - 1960s film and television actress; born in Taylorville
 * Rolland F. Tipsword - Illinois state representative, judge, and lawyer; lived and practiced law in Taylorville
 * Stuart J. Traynor - Illinois state legislator and lawyer, lived and practiced law in Taylorville.
 * Clifford J. Vogelsang - Illinois state senator, judge, and lawyer; lived and practiced law in Taylorville

title: Taylorville, Illinois


text:
Tovey, Illinois

Tovey is a village in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The town's population was 464 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Tovey has a total area of 0.22 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 census there were 464 people, 239 households, and 128 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,080.72 PD/sqmi. There were 222 housing units at an average density of 995.52 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.47% White, 0.43% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.65% Asian, and 3.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.

There were 239 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.93% were married couples living together, 4.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.44% were non-families. 19.67% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.79% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 2.44.

The village's age distribution consisted of 20.6% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 116.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $90,246, and the median income for a family was $71,250. Males had a median income of $61,205 versus $30,870 for females. The per capita income for the village was $35,699. About 3.1% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Tovey, Illinois