Litchfield, Illinois: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| name = Litchfield |
| name = Litchfield, Illinois |
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| image_caption = Cars in a "66" formation at the SkyView Drive-In |
| image_caption = Cars in a "66" formation at the SkyView Drive-In |
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| map_caption = Location |
| map_caption = Location in Montgomery County, Illinois |
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| pushpin_map = |
| pushpin_map = USA |
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| pushpin_label_position = left |
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| pushpin_label = Litchfield |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |
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| coordinates = {{coord|39|10| |
| coordinates = {{coord|39|10|24|N|89|39|36|W|display=inline,title}} |
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| coor_pinpoint = |
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| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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| subdivision_type2 = County |
| subdivision_type2 = County |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Montgomery County, Illinois|Montgomery]] |
| subdivision_name2 = [[Montgomery County, Illinois|Montgomery]] |
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| subdivision_type3 = |
| subdivision_type3 = Townships |
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| subdivision_name3 = [[North Litchfield Township, Montgomery County, Illinois|North Litchfield]], [[South Litchfield Township, Montgomery County, Illinois|South Litchfield]] |
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| subdivision_name3 = |
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| subdivision_type4 = |
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| subdivision_name4 = |
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| established_title = Founded |
| established_title = Founded |
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| established_date = 1856 |
| established_date = 1856 |
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| leader_title = Mayor |
| leader_title = Mayor |
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| leader_name = |
| leader_name = |
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| leader_title1 = Mayor |
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| leader_name1 = |
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| total_type = |
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| unit_pref = Imperial |
| unit_pref = Imperial |
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| area_footnotes = <ref name=" |
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_17.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 20, 2023}}</ref> |
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| area_total_km2 = 28.35 |
| area_total_km2 = 28.35 |
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| area_total_sq_mi = 10.95 |
| area_total_sq_mi = 10.95 |
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| area_metro_sq_mi = |
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| elevation_footnotes = |
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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| elevation_ft = 669 |
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| elevation_ft = 693 |
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| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US1743965&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Litchfield city, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> |
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| population_footnotes = |
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| population_total = 6605 |
| population_total = 6605 |
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| pop_est_as_of = |
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| pop_est_footnotes = |
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| population_est = |
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| population_rank = |
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| population_density_km2 = 285.61 |
| population_density_km2 = 285.61 |
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| population_density_sq_mi = 739.72 |
| population_density_sq_mi = 739.72 |
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| timezone1 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]] |
| timezone1 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]] |
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| utc_offset1 = -6 |
| utc_offset1 = -6 |
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| timezone1_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]] |
| timezone1_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]] |
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| utc_offset1_DST = -5 |
| utc_offset1_DST = -5 |
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| postal_code = 62056 |
| postal_code = 62056 |
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| postal2_code_type = |
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| area_code = [[Area code 217#United States|217]] |
| area_code = [[Area code 217#United States|217]] |
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| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]] |
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]] |
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| blank_info = 17-43965 |
| blank_info = 17-43965 |
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| blank1_name = |
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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| blank1_info = |
| blank1_info = 2395731<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395731}}</ref> |
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| blank1_info_sec2 = |
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| blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons |
| blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons |
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| blank2_info_sec2 = Litchfield, Illinois |
| blank2_info_sec2 = Litchfield, Illinois |
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| website = |
| website = {{URL|www.cityoflitchfieldil.com}} |
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| footnotes = |
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| footnotes = <ref name="pop2010">[http://www.city-data.com/city/Litchfield-Illinois.html City-data.com]</ref> |
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}} |
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'''Litchfield''' is a city in [[Montgomery County, Illinois|Montgomery County]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]. The population was 6,605 at the 2020 census.<ref name=" |
'''Litchfield''' is a city in [[Montgomery County, Illinois|Montgomery County]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]]. The population was 6,605 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020"/> It is located in [[South Central Illinois]], south of [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], the state capital. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Litchfield was platted in October 1853, and was originally named |
Litchfield was platted in October 1853, and was originally named "Huntsville",<ref name="mcih-story">{{cite web | url = http://history.montgomeryco.com/Archives/History/ID/62/The-Story-of-a-Midwest-Town | title = Litchfield Illinois – The Story of a Midwest Town | first = Walter R. | last = Sanders | date = 2009-06-15 | website = Montgomery County Illinois History | publisher = Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois | access-date = 2019-05-10 }} Says Litchfield was laid out in "October 1953", presumably a typo of "1853".</ref> |
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Earlier, Hardinsburg, about 2 |
Earlier, Hardinsburg, about {{convert|2|mi|0}} to the southwest,<ref name="city-history">{{cite web | url = https://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/news/16-3.html | title = Our History | publisher = City of Litchfield, Illinois | access-date = 2019-05-10 }}</ref> had been founded about 1850.<ref name="mcih-story"/> Both towns were created in anticipation of the [[Terre Haute & Alton Railroad]].<ref name="mcih-story"/> Hardinsburg grew to about 50 people by 1854; but when it became clear that the railroad was going through Huntsville instead of Hardinsburg, many of the buildings in Hardinsburg were pulled across the prairie on runners to Huntsville beginning in January 1854, and most of the residents moved to the new site as well, becoming Litchfield's first residents.<ref name="mcih-story"/> The railroad reached Huntsville in the autumn of 1864,<ref name="city-history"/> and within two more years Hardinsburg had substantially disappeared.<ref name="mcih-story"/> |
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The new town of Huntsville was renamed in November 1855 after Electus Bachus Litchfield, who with his brothers earlier that year had donated land and convinced the railroad of where to place its shops and terminals.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sanders|first=Walter|url=https://archive.org/details/centennialhistor00litc/page/20/mode/2up|title=The Centennial History of Litchfield, Illinois - The Story of a Midwest Town|year=1953|pages=20}}</ref> |
The new town of Huntsville was renamed in November 1855 after Electus Bachus Litchfield, who with his brothers earlier that year had donated land and convinced the railroad of where to place its shops and terminals.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sanders|first=Walter|url=https://archive.org/details/centennialhistor00litc/page/20/mode/2up|title=The Centennial History of Litchfield, Illinois - The Story of a Midwest Town|year=1953|pages=20|publisher=[Litchfield }}</ref> |
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The residents of Litchfield first voted to incorporate as a village on April 4, 1856.<ref name="mcih-story"/> However, the village trustees failed to complete the incorporation; the village charter was dissolved in autumn of 1857 and the trustees closed the books for that village government on January 22, 1858.<ref name="mcih-story"/> The state legislature granted a new [[municipal charter]] to Litchfield on February 16, 1859, and the first elections under that charter were held on March 7, 1859.<ref name="mcih-story"/> |
The residents of Litchfield first voted to incorporate as a village on April 4, 1856.<ref name="mcih-story"/> However, the village trustees failed to complete the incorporation; the village charter was dissolved in autumn of 1857 and the trustees closed the books for that village government on January 22, 1858.<ref name="mcih-story"/> The state legislature granted a new [[municipal charter]] to Litchfield on February 16, 1859, and the first elections under that charter were held on March 7, 1859.<ref name="mcih-story"/> |
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Milnot Company, known for its namesake product, Milnot, an evaporated filled milk, was founded in Litchfield in 1912 as |
Milnot Company, known for its namesake product, Milnot, an evaporated filled milk, was founded in Litchfield in 1912 as the Litchfield Creamery Company by Martin Jensen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milnot.com/history|title=Making the Most of Milnot|website=www.milnot.com|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> In 1916, a new plant was built at 120 W. St. John St. and operated until 1990. As of 2019, it has been repurposed as an indoor sports training facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lsisports.com/home_page.php|title=Litchfield Sports, Indoor Sports Facility|website=lsisports|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Litchfield is in western Montgomery County, {{convert|9|mi|0}} west of [[Hillsboro, Illinois|Hillsboro]], the Montgomery [[county seat]]. [[Interstate 55]] runs along the western edge of the city, with access from Exit 52 ([[Illinois Route 16]]). I-55 leads north {{convert|42|mi}} to [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]] and southwest {{convert|53|mi}} to [[St. Louis]]. IL 16 passes through Litchfield as Union Avenue, leading east to Hillsboro and southwest {{convert|10|mi|0}} to [[Gillespie, Illinois|Gillespie]]. |
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Litchfield is located at {{Coord|39|10|36|N|89|39|13|W|type:city}} (39.176741, -89.653721).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> |
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According to the |
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Litchfield has a total area of {{convert|11.0|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|9.0|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|2.0|sqmi|1}}, or 18.38%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/> The city drains east to the West Fork of [[Shoal Creek (Illinois)|Shoal Creek]], a south-flowing tributary of the [[Kaskaskia River]]. Lake Lou Yaeger is a reservoir on the West Fork northeast of the city, and the Litchfield city limits extend north {{convert|5|mi|0}} to encompass most of the reservoir. |
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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=== 2020 Census === |
=== 2020 Census === |
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As of the census of 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=QuickFacts Litchfield city, Illinois|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/litchfieldcityillinois/RHI325219 |
As of the census of 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=QuickFacts Litchfield city, Illinois|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/litchfieldcityillinois/RHI325219|website=US Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 6,605 people in 3,104 households residing in the city. 7.7% percent of the population was under the age of 5, 22.8% under the age of 18, and 19.4% over the age of 65. The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.7% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. |
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The median income for a household was $50,368, and the per capita income in the city was $26,746. 18.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. |
The median income for a household was $50,368, and the per capita income in the city was $26,746. 18.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. |
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=== 2000 Census === |
=== 2000 Census === |
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As of the [[census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,815 people, 2,772 households, and 1,785 families residing in the city. The |
As of the [[census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,815 people, 2,772 households, and 1,785 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,338.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,011 housing units at an average density of {{convert|591.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.31% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.37% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.26% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.65% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.95% of the population. |
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There were 2,772 households in 2010, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97. |
There were 2,772 households in 2010, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97. |
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===Attractions=== |
===Attractions=== |
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The [[Ariston Café]] is one of the oldest restaurants along the historic [[U.S. Route 66]], commonly known as Old Route 66, though the café itself claims it is possibly the oldest.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ariston-cafe.com/history.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311163827/http://www.ariston-cafe.com/history.html |archive-date = March 11, 2007}}</ref> The Ariston Café was founded in 1924 in the town of [[Carlinville, Illinois]], but was moved to its present location. The café was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992. Another landmark is Litchfield's [[Lake Lou Yaeger]], located northeast of town.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.litchfield.il.us/Tourism/Attractions.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070823193450/http://www.litchfield.il.us/Tourism/Attractions.htm |archive-date = August 23, 2007}}</ref> The Sky View Theater is a member of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and has been in operation since 1950. It is among the last drive-in theaters still operating along Route 66.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.legendsofamerica.com/IL-Litchfield.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020131239/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/IL-Litchfield.html |archive-date = October 20, 2006}}</ref> |
The [[Ariston Café]] is one of the oldest restaurants along the historic [[U.S. Route 66]], commonly known as Old Route 66, though the café itself claims it is possibly the oldest.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ariston-cafe.com/history.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311163827/http://www.ariston-cafe.com/history.html |archive-date = March 11, 2007|title = History }}</ref> The Ariston Café was founded in 1924 in the town of [[Carlinville, Illinois]], but was moved to its present location. The café was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992. Another landmark is Litchfield's [[Lake Lou Yaeger]], located northeast of town.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.litchfield.il.us/Tourism/Attractions.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070823193450/http://www.litchfield.il.us/Tourism/Attractions.htm |archive-date = August 23, 2007|title = Web Hosting / Mercury Network » Mercury Network }}</ref> The Sky View Theater is a member of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and has been in operation since 1950. It is among the last drive-in theaters still operating along Route 66.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.legendsofamerica.com/IL-Litchfield.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020131239/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/IL-Litchfield.html |archive-date = October 20, 2006|title = Litchfield Illinois - Route 66 Proud! }}</ref> |
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[[Image:AristonCafe LitchfieldIL.jpg|thumb |
[[Image:AristonCafe LitchfieldIL.jpg|thumb|The [[Ariston Café]], a popular stop along [[U.S. Route 66]]]] |
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In 1934, the Belvidere Motel opened in Litchfield. It is one of the oldest motels around.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} |
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The grand opening of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center was June 1, 2013. The museum is located across from the Ariston Café at 334 North Historic Route 66. The museum is owned by the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center Association and is maintained mainly through donations.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} |
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==Infrastructure== |
==Infrastructure== |
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*[[Estella Bagnelle]], county superintendent of schools |
*[[Estella Bagnelle]], county superintendent of schools in California |
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*[[Stephen D. Canady]] (1865–1923), Illinois state legislator and businessman |
*[[Stephen D. Canady]] (1865–1923), Illinois state legislator and businessman |
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*[[Luke Epplin]], sportswriter; grew up in Litchfield |
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*[[Jackie Mayo]], [[professional baseball]] player |
*[[Jackie Mayo]], [[professional baseball]] player for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]; born in Litchfield<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=mayoja01|title= Jackie Mayo Stats |
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|publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date=August 31, 2012}}</ref> |
|publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date=August 31, 2012}}</ref> |
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*[[Paul Martin Pearson]], author, professor, governor of Virgin Islands, father of columnist [[Drew Pearson (journalist)|Drew Pearson]]; born in Litchfield |
*[[Paul Martin Pearson]], author, professor, governor of Virgin Islands, father of columnist [[Drew Pearson (journalist)|Drew Pearson]]; born in Litchfield |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Sunshine (magazine)]] |
*[[Sunshine (magazine)|''Sunshine'' (magazine)]], published in Litchfield |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{sister project links|voy=Litchfield (Illinois)|wikt=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|b=no|v=no}} |
{{sister project links|voy=Litchfield (Illinois)|wikt=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|b=no|v=no}} |
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* |
*{{Official website|www.cityoflitchfieldil.com}} |
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*[http://www.ariston-cafe.com Ariston Cafe] |
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*[http://www.litchfieldskyview.com/ The SkyView theater] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100228071351/http://history.montgomeryco.com/groups/litchfield-illinois Litchfield Illinois], Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100228071351/http://history.montgomeryco.com/groups/litchfield-illinois Litchfield Illinois], Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois |
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*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Litchfield-Illinois.html City-Data.com] |
*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Litchfield-Illinois.html City-Data.com] |
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Latest revision as of 12:42, 19 April 2024
Litchfield, Illinois | |
|---|---|
 Cars in a "66" formation at the SkyView Drive-In | |
| Motto: | |
 Location in Montgomery County, Illinois | |
  Litchfield Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 39°10′24″N 89°39′36″W / 39.17333°N 89.66000°W[3] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Montgomery |
| Townships | North Litchfield, South Litchfield |
| Founded | 1856 |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.95 sq mi (28.35 km2) |
| • Land | 8.93 sq mi (23.13 km2) |
| • Water | 2.02 sq mi (5.23 km2) |
| Elevation | 669 ft (204 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 6,605 |
| • Density | 739.72/sq mi (285.61/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 62056 |
| Area code | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-43965 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395731[3] |
| Wikimedia Commons | Litchfield, Illinois |
| Website | www |
Litchfield is a city in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,605 at the 2020 census.[5] It is located in South Central Illinois, south of Springfield, the state capital.
History
[edit]Litchfield was platted in October 1853, and was originally named "Huntsville",[6]
Earlier, Hardinsburg, about 2 miles (3 km) to the southwest,[7] had been founded about 1850.[6] Both towns were created in anticipation of the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad.[6] Hardinsburg grew to about 50 people by 1854; but when it became clear that the railroad was going through Huntsville instead of Hardinsburg, many of the buildings in Hardinsburg were pulled across the prairie on runners to Huntsville beginning in January 1854, and most of the residents moved to the new site as well, becoming Litchfield's first residents.[6] The railroad reached Huntsville in the autumn of 1864,[7] and within two more years Hardinsburg had substantially disappeared.[6]
The new town of Huntsville was renamed in November 1855 after Electus Bachus Litchfield, who with his brothers earlier that year had donated land and convinced the railroad of where to place its shops and terminals.[8]
The residents of Litchfield first voted to incorporate as a village on April 4, 1856.[6] However, the village trustees failed to complete the incorporation; the village charter was dissolved in autumn of 1857 and the trustees closed the books for that village government on January 22, 1858.[6] The state legislature granted a new municipal charter to Litchfield on February 16, 1859, and the first elections under that charter were held on March 7, 1859.[6]
Milnot Company, known for its namesake product, Milnot, an evaporated filled milk, was founded in Litchfield in 1912 as the Litchfield Creamery Company by Martin Jensen.[9] In 1916, a new plant was built at 120 W. St. John St. and operated until 1990. As of 2019, it has been repurposed as an indoor sports training facility.[10]
Geography
[edit]Litchfield is in western Montgomery County, 9 miles (14 km) west of Hillsboro, the Montgomery county seat. Interstate 55 runs along the western edge of the city, with access from Exit 52 (Illinois Route 16). I-55 leads north 42 miles (68 km) to Springfield and southwest 53 miles (85 km) to St. Louis. IL 16 passes through Litchfield as Union Avenue, leading east to Hillsboro and southwest 10 miles (16 km) to Gillespie.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Litchfield has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28 km2), of which 9.0 square miles (23 km2) are land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), or 18.38%, are water.[4] The city drains east to the West Fork of Shoal Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Kaskaskia River. Lake Lou Yaeger is a reservoir on the West Fork northeast of the city, and the Litchfield city limits extend north 5 miles (8 km) to encompass most of the reservoir.
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 1,609 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,852 | 139.4% | |
| 1880 | 4,326 | 12.3% | |
| 1890 | 5,811 | 34.3% | |
| 1900 | 5,918 | 1.8% | |
| 1910 | 5,971 | 0.9% | |
| 1920 | 6,215 | 4.1% | |
| 1930 | 6,612 | 6.4% | |
| 1940 | 7,048 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 7,208 | 2.3% | |
| 1960 | 7,330 | 1.7% | |
| 1970 | 7,190 | −1.9% | |
| 1980 | 7,204 | 0.2% | |
| 1990 | 6,883 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 6,815 | −1.0% | |
| 2010 | 6,939 | 1.8% | |
| 2020 | 6,605 | −4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
2020 Census
[edit]As of the census of 2020,[12] there were 6,605 people in 3,104 households residing in the city. 7.7% percent of the population was under the age of 5, 22.8% under the age of 18, and 19.4% over the age of 65. The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.7% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
The median income for a household was $50,368, and the per capita income in the city was $26,746. 18.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.
2000 Census
[edit]As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 6,815 people, 2,772 households, and 1,785 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,338.5 inhabitants per square mile (516.8/km2). There were 3,011 housing units at an average density of 591.4 per square mile (228.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.31% White, 0.37% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 2,772 households in 2010, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
The population is distributed with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,717, and the median income for a family was $34,139. Males had a median income of $26,238 versus $19,545 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,612. About 15.7% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
[edit]Attractions
[edit]The Ariston Café is one of the oldest restaurants along the historic U.S. Route 66, commonly known as Old Route 66, though the café itself claims it is possibly the oldest.[14] The Ariston Café was founded in 1924 in the town of Carlinville, Illinois, but was moved to its present location. The café was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992. Another landmark is Litchfield's Lake Lou Yaeger, located northeast of town.[15] The Sky View Theater is a member of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and has been in operation since 1950. It is among the last drive-in theaters still operating along Route 66.[16]
In 1934, the Belvidere Motel opened in Litchfield. It is one of the oldest motels around.[citation needed] The grand opening of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center was June 1, 2013. The museum is located across from the Ariston Café at 334 North Historic Route 66. The museum is owned by the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center Association and is maintained mainly through donations.[citation needed]
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]Litchfield Municipal Airport is located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southwest of the central business district of Litchfield.
Litchfield is served by Interstate 55 and Illinois Route 16.
Two Class 1 railroad lines (Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Norfolk Southern) cross at the south edge of Litchfield after running parallel through town from north to south.
Notable people
[edit]- Estella Bagnelle, county superintendent of schools in California
- Stephen D. Canady (1865–1923), Illinois state legislator and businessman
- Luke Epplin, sportswriter; grew up in Litchfield
- Jackie Mayo, professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies; born in Litchfield[17]
- Paul Martin Pearson, author, professor, governor of Virgin Islands, father of columnist Drew Pearson; born in Litchfield
- Ray Schalk, Hall of Fame catcher for Chicago White Sox; grew up in Litchfield
- Harry C. Stuttle (1879–1947), Illinois state legislator, judge, and lawyer
See also
[edit]- Sunshine (magazine), published in Litchfield
References
[edit]- ^ "The City of Litchfield, Illinois". The City of Litchfield, Illinois. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ "Litchfied, Illinois". City-Data.com. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Litchfield, Illinois
- ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Litchfield city, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sanders, Walter R. (June 15, 2009). "Litchfield Illinois – The Story of a Midwest Town". Montgomery County Illinois History. Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois. Retrieved May 10, 2019. Says Litchfield was laid out in "October 1953", presumably a typo of "1853".
- ^ a b "Our History". City of Litchfield, Illinois. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ Sanders, Walter (1953). The Centennial History of Litchfield, Illinois - The Story of a Midwest Town. [Litchfield. p. 20.
- ^ "Making the Most of Milnot". www.milnot.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "Litchfield Sports, Indoor Sports Facility". lsisports. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "QuickFacts Litchfield city, Illinois". US Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "History". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007.
- ^ "Web Hosting / Mercury Network » Mercury Network". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007.
- ^ "Litchfield Illinois - Route 66 Proud!". Archived from the original on October 20, 2006.
- ^ "Jackie Mayo Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
External links
[edit]
Litchfield, Illinois at Wikipedia's sister projects
Media from Commons
Travel information from Wikivoyage
- Official website
- Litchfield Illinois, Historical Society of Montgomery County Illinois
- City-Data.com
Municipalities and communities of Montgomery County, Illinois, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
