The Smallest Towns In Illinois
Have you ever wanted to run away from it all? Many people have that thought, but few act on it. Besides, it's really hard to avoid other people. There are billions of us walking around, so most of us just have to deal with it. But...if someone does want to be a hermit, where do they go? In this video, we discuss the ten places in the state of Illinois with the smallest population, according to the most recent census data.
#rural #SmallTownLiving #ChildrenOfTheKern
JOIN OUR PATREON:
MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE! -
*TO HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:*
Click here to subscribe:
DONATIONS:
*SOCIAL MEDIA/CONTACTS*
Email: stuckinthekernfield@gmail.com
Instagram:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Visit Carlinville: What to See & Do in Carlinville, Illinois
Small town rural America is a part of the country that few foreign visitors get to enjoy when they visit the US. Carlinville, Illinois represents a typical farming community in the rural US with a few nice sights to see and some tasty food to be had, I recommend the Taylor's Chili and the Anchor Inn or as the sign says, Taylor's Chili Parlour.
So if you are driving from Chicago to St. Louis on your Route 66 drive stop on by, just be careful if you make videos like me on the square as while I am filming this the police came up to see about a crazy man talking to himself on the square. But the officer was extremely nice and was looking forward to seeing our website when he got home that night from work.
Filmed in Carlinville, Illinois, USA
Driving Around Small Town Carlinville, IL in 4k Video
Filmed on Wednesday March 1 2023, I drive around the village of Carlinville, Illinois to see what's happening.
Carlinville is a city and the county seat of Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,710.
It is the home of Blackburn College, a small college affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The city is the former home of Prairie Farms Dairy.
Carlinville is named for Thomas Carlin, seventh governor of Illinois, who as a member of the state legislature was instrumental in creating Macoupin County.
Carlinville has long been a site of Illinois history, and played host to many presidential hopefuls via campaign stops at a time in American history when railway routes produced many visits by politicians. Perhaps the largest and most important hallmark of Carlinville's history is its courthouse, the largest built outside of New York City at the time of its erection. Built in 1870 and designed by famous state capitol building architect Elijah E. Myers, the construction of Carlinville's courthouse produced its candidacy for the location of the state capitol. Locally, it is known as The Million Dollar Courthouse due to its cost overruns at the time it was built.
In the early 1900s Carlinville became the site of a great many Sears Catalog Homes. An entire neighborhood was constructed of the homes and was funded, in 1918, by Standard Oil of Indiana for its mineworkers in Carlinville, at a cost of approximately one million dollars. In gratitude, Sears, Roebuck named one of its house models the Carlin. Today 149 of the original 156 homes still exist, the largest single repository of Sears Catalog Homes in the United States.
One notable resident of Carlinville was American entomologist Charles Robertson, who carried out what is still the single most intensive study of flower-visiting insects of a single locality (Carlinville), culminating in a 221-page book published in 1928 under the title Flowers and Insects. From among the specimens he collected in the process of doing this study, he named over 100 new species of bees and wasps. Scientists in 1970–1972 did a similar survey, and found that most of the bees noted by Robertson were still present. This is presumably due to the existence of bee habitat in hedgerows, on slopes, and in other non-agricultural land in the survey area.
Other notable Carlinvillians include nature writer and novelist Mary Hunter Austin, once called the most intelligent woman in America by H.G. Wells, distinguished military personnel, politicians, and others.
Illinois Route 4 passes north to south through Carlinville. Interstate 55 passes 12 miles (19 km) east of the city. Illinois Route 108 passes through Carlinville connecting Interstate 55 to the east with Kampsville to the west, where it crosses the Illinois River on a free, state-operated ferry.
The Carlinville Amtrak station is served directly by five daily trains, offering easy access south to St. Louis and north to Springfield and Chicago. One train is the Texas Eagle which connects Chicago to Texas and features sleeping cars, a dining car and a lounge.
Freight rail service is provided by the Union Pacific Railroad, formerly the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio, the Illinois Central Gulf, the Chicago, Missouri and Western, and the Southern Pacific Chicago - St. Louis Railways. The main line of the GM&O passed through Carlinville.
The Illinois Terminal Railroad, an electric interurban to St. Louis from Springfield that once provided both freight and passenger service, passed down the middle of Carlinville's West Street. It was still operating freight trains on West Street to a nearby grain elevator into the 1970s. Its trestle crossing Goat Hollow south of Carlinville burned severing the line, which was then abandoned. A small portion of the line is used by Monterey Coal Co. mine to connect with the former Chicago and North Western Transportation Company L & M District, serving coal-fired power plants.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,685 people, 2,125 households, and 1,393 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 97.01% White, 1.50% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population. #driving #travel #drivingtour
Route 66 in Carlinville, Illinois
I visit the city of Carlinville, Illinois, which is the county seat and largest city of Macoupin County. Route 66 passed through here from 1926 to 1931. Here, I explore a few of the attractions. At the end of the video, I also visit the famous Turkey Tracks outside Nilwood (8 miles north of Carlinville).
Carlinville, IL | A 4K Route 66 Walking Tour
Carlinville, Il is a historic small town that sits right on historic Route 66. It lies about 40 miles southwest of Springfield. The first settlement on the site, in an area known as Black Hawk hunting ground (frequented by Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo Indians), was made about 1815. The community was founded in 1828 and named for Governor Thomas Carlin. A notable feature of the city is the “million-dollar” Macoupin County Courthouse (completed 1870), a limestone structure with an imposing 191-foot dome. The city’s Standard Addition neighborhood, dating from 1918, is home to 152 Sears, Roebuck and Company kit homes—the largest concentration of such homes in the United States.
If you have enjoyed this wandering walk and would like to be a part of the journey, I have Patreon!!! A donation of $3 or more guarantees you a postcard a month, however, there are other programs that include guidebooks, visits, and more!!! Come be a part of the adventure!! Patreon:
Purchase my latest walking guidebooks and journals:
Interactive Map of all my walking videos:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Pinterest:
Rural ILLINOIS: An Empty, Ignored Wasteland That's Not Chicago? What I Actually Saw There
I visited these rural Illinois towns: Carlinville, Litchfield & Mt Olive.
Joe's Instagram:
Travel Vlog 332
Carlinville, Illinois, small town America on Historic Route 66!
Carlinville, Illinois, small town America on Historic Route 66!
Carlinville Illinois, on Historic Route 66
Carlinville Illinois, on Historic Route 66
Historic Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville IL
Dubbed the Million Dollar Courthouse by locals, this amazing building experienced many delays and cost overruns during it's construction. It was designed by the same architect that designed the Capital Building in Springfield. It was built over the course of about four years from 1867 - 1870. Hope you find it at least a bit interesting. I had to throw some music over the footage because it was terribly windy that day. Thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate it.
Background track is Whiskey on the Mississippi by Kevin MacLeod. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. Download link:
MacLeod's description:
Genre: Blues
Length: 3:15
Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Kit, Organ, EP
Tempo: 90
With a jumping bass and off-beat syncopation, this is straight from Memphis' Beale Street. The Hammond organ and electric guitar play together as longtime friends, while the melody changes hands from guitar to organ to electric piano. 011
ISRC: US-UAN-11-00709
Bouncy, Grooving 2010
.
Historic Courthouse Macoupin County IL Carlinville Capital building Springfield architecture architect preservation million dollar courthouse building design
Illinois - Touring Around the State (4k)
Illinois is a state of beauty and diversity. From the bustling and vibrant city of Chicago, to the rural farms of the Midwest, Illinois has something for everyone to enjoy. The state is home to a variety of stunning landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest to the towering bluffs of the Mississippi River. Illinois also boasts a wide range of historic sites, such as the Cahokia Mounds, Lincoln’s Home, and the Ulysses S. Grant Home. But Illinois is also home to a vibrant cultural scene, with a variety of art galleries, museums and music venues. The state also offers a unique mix of activities, from unique outdoor adventures like kayaking on the Mississippi to the exciting nightlife of Chicago. There is no doubt that Illinois is a beautiful state, full of surprises and possibilities.
Random facts about Illinois:
-Illinois is the 5th most populous state in the United States, with an estimated population of 12.7 million people.
-It is the 25th largest state in the United States, with a total area of 57,918 square miles.
-The capital of Illinois is Springfield.
-Illinois is known as the Prairie State due to its large area of prairie land.
-Chicago is the largest city in the state and is known for its iconic skyscrapers, art, and culture.
-Illinois's agricultural products include corn, soybeans, and hogs.
-Illinois is home to the world-famous Shedd Aquarium and the Willis Tower.
-The state is also home to several major national parks, including the Shawnee National Forest.
-The Illinois River is the longest river in the state and is known for its fishing and canoeing.
-Illinois is home to several major universities, including the University of Illinois and Northwestern University.
Which 10 Illinois College Towns Have an Insanely High Crime Rate???
Illinois is home to many good colleges, but sometimes the towns in which they reside are just downright scary. In this video we explore which towns and cities with a university or college in the Land of Lincoln have the highest crime rates. We'll review both violent and property crimes, as well as some of the reasons why they might have so much crime. Number one is NOT Chicago! So if you're researching schools for yourself or a child, you won't want to miss this.
#college #BigTen
JOIN OUR PATREON:
MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE! -
*TO HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:*
Click here to subscribe:
DONATIONS:
*SOCIAL MEDIA/CONTACTS*
Email: stuckinthekernfield@gmail.com
Instagram:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Carlinville Taylors Chili at the Anchor Inn
Some of the tastiest chili in the midwest Taylor's can be enjoyed at the Anchor Inn off of old Route 66 in Carlinville, Illinois.
Driving Around Tiny Village Nilwood, IL in 4k Video
Filmed on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, I drive around the small town of Nilwood, Illinois to see what's going on.
Nilwood is a town in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 201 at the 2020 census, down from 284 in 2000.
Illinois Route 4 passes through the north side of town, leading southwest 11 miles to Carlinville, the county seat, and northeast 4 miles to Girard.
The town is drained to the northeast by the headwaters of Shearles Branch, which turns south and flows to Macoupin Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Illinois River.
As of the census of 2000, there were 284 people, 107 households, and 80 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,386, and the median income for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,365. About 11.7% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.1% of those 65 or over. #driving #travel #drivingtour
Illinois High-Speed Rail (9-11-10) Carlinville, IL.
After seeing the UP MBNAS-11 had 10 locomotives I decided to head to Carlinville Illinois to see it. After going to Carlinville I see where UP is doing their high speed rail work on the crossings and track (off main.) I went to go buy 2 batteries for my camera when a man that was interested about the 10 unit train at the gas station came with me to railfan for an hour! Sortly after we got the Manifest from Bloomington IL to Saint Louis MO with 4 units. UP SD70M 5170, UP AC45CCTE 7900, UP SD70M 4638, and UP C44-9W (CNW paint) 9771 with a short manifest taking the siding for Amtrak! The Amtrak was rare because it had a P42DC on the front and a P42DC sandwiched in the middle with a passenger car on the rear! Anyways...enjoy the video!
About the 2010 High-Speed Rail Construction:
Starting September 1, 2010, this project will upgrade approximately 90 miles of existing track along the Chicago to St. Louis route to prepare it for future passenger train operations at up to 110mph. This represents one of the first construction projects in the national High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program throughout the country and signifies the commitment the State of IL has made to ensure that the Chicago to St. Louis corridor remains at the forefront of passenger rail development.
Drive RT 66 - [ILL] Auburn to Carlinville
- Thayer
- Virden
- Girard
- Nilwood [ 00:29:31 old R66 section + turkey tracks ]
- Carlinville
I have no financial interest in any of these videos but for Route 66 I DO recommend EZ66 Guide For Travelers by Jerry McClanahan
Hollywood Movie Locations on US Route 66 in Central State Illinois
Central Illinois Locations for Hollywood movies most on Route 66
Carlinville Plaza Sign Installation 5-1-2020 - Carlinville, IL on Route 66!
Carlinville Plaza Sign Installation 5-1-2020 - Carlinville, IL on Route 66!
Virtual Visits All Along Illinois Route 66 with Casey Wichmann, Executive Director of Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Photography/Videography by Casey Wichmann for Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway & Scott Bringuet of Ace Sign Co.
Special Thanks:
Carlinville Plaza, Scott Stinson & Sharon Wiseman, Mayor Deanna Demuzio, City of Carlinville, Ace Sign Company.
See the making of this sign video by Ace Sign Company:
Copyright, 2020, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway
Railfanning Carlinville, Illinois Amtrak Station (8-14-10)
Decided to do something differen't and go Kirkwood style! I heard UP Dispatcher 31 tell UP 4645 north that he was going to meet Amtrak at Carlinville and then he said there will be 2 trains at Carlinville meeting him. Triple meet! Railroad's were slow today so I decided to head to Carlinville, Illinois Amtrak Station where I seen the UP 4645 in the siding. It was a grain train to Sterling, Illinois. Southbound Amtrak made an apparence with AMTK P42DC 123 and AMTK F40 90200 on the rear. Some how that got cut out? Don't ask! They stopped 5 minutes tops. Conductor let one female off then proceeded. Shortly after A empty Wind Mill train from Global III to Arcola Texas blasted southbound with conductor Farmer on UP SD70ACe 8481. Then the 4645 got the signal to proceed northbound. All and all a great shot! Let me know how my night video turned out. Thanks and enjoy!
Southbound Limited Amtrak
AMTK P42DC 123
AMTK F40 Cabcar 90200
UP: SG3AC-13 (Special Wind from Global III to Arcola, TX)
UP SD70ACe 8481
UP GSNARK-13 (Grain to Sterling, IL.)
UP SD70M 4645
UP SD70M 5005
UP C44AC 7258
Driving Around Downtown Normal, IL in 4k Video
Filmed on January 31st, 2023, I drive around Uptown Normal, IL to check out what's happening.
Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town's population was 52,736. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and Illinois' seventh most populous community outside the Chicago metropolitan area. As of 2022, Chris Koos has been Normal's mayor since 2003.
The main campus of Illinois' oldest public university, Illinois State University, a fully accredited four-year institution, is in Normal, as is Heartland Community College, a fully accredited two-year institution. There was also a satellite campus of Lincoln College, which offered associate degrees as well as four-year programs.
The town was laid out with the name North Bloomington on June 7, 1854, by Joseph Parkinson. From its founding, it was generally recognized that Jesse W. Fell was the force behind the creation of the town. He had arranged for the new railroad, which would soon become the Chicago and Alton Railroad, to pass west of Bloomington then curving to cross the Illinois Central Railroad at a point where he owned or controlled land. Most of the original town lies south of these tracks, with Beaufort Street as its northern limit, and some blocks west of the Illinois Central and north of the tracks. Fell, his brothers, and associates quickly laid out many additions to the original town.
The town was renamed Normal in February 1865 and officially incorporated on February 25, 1867. The name was taken from Illinois State Normal University, a normal school (teacher-training institution) located there. The school has since been renamed Illinois State University after becoming a general four-year university. Normal is adjacent to Bloomington, Illinois, and when mentioned together they are known as the Twin Cities, Bloomington-Normal, BN, or BloNo.
In 2007, the town council voted to name the downtown area Uptown Normal, and, as of 2011, Uptown Normal is home to the Children's Discovery Museum, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Hyatt Place Hotel, Uptown Station and Town Hall, and a variety of local shops and restaurants all centered around a roundabout. The district is also home to the historic and non-profit Normal Theater, a restored Art Deco theater owned by the Town of Normal that runs classic and independent films.
In 2005, Golf Digest ranked Bloomington-Normal as the Fifth Best American City for Golf in their Best in America Metro Golf Rankings. Golf Digest ranked America's largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas on four different criteria: access to golf, weather, value of golf, and quality of golf. #driving #travel #drivingtour
Driving Around Tiny Village Modesto, IL in 4k Video
Filmed on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, I drive around the small town Modesto, Illinois to see what's happening.
Modesto is a village in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 182 at the 2020 census, down from 252 in 2000.
Illinois Route 111 passes through the village as Main Street, leading north 8 miles to Waverly and south 3 miles to Palmyra. Carlinville, the Macoupin county seat, is 19 miles to the southeast.
The village drains east to an unnamed tributary of Nassa Creek, a southwest-flowing feeder of the Macoupin Creek watershed leading west to the Illinois River.
As of the census of 2000, there were 252 people, 102 households, and 74 families residing in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.
The median income for a household in the village was $33,393, and the median income for a family was $37,917. Males had a median income of $31,023 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,356. About 10.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 7.5% of those 65 or over. #driving #travel #drivingtour