Watseka, Illinois

History

Incorporated in 1865, the name "Watseka" derives from the Potawatomi name "Watch-e-kee", "Daughter of the Evening Star", the wife of early eastern Illinois settler Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard.

The Old Iroquois County Courthouse was constructed in 1866, with two additions built in 1881 and 1927. In the early 1960s, an Iroquois County resident, Mrs. Katherine Clifton, bequeathed to the county in her will a large sum of money and a site upon which to build a new courthouse. It is the only courthouse in the United States built entirely with private funds.

The old courthouse was advertised for sale and fell into disuse. In 1967, during the Centennial Celebration of Watseka, the Iroquois County Historical Society was organized, and circulated petitions throughout the county not to sell the Old Courthouse. The petitions were approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and the Old Courthouse re-opened as a museum that same year. In 1975, the Old Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Watseka is located near the center of Iroquois County, at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 1. The Iroquois River winds along the north side of the town and is joined by Sugar Creek on the west side of town. The south half of the town is in Belmont Township; the north half is in Middleport Township.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Watseka has a total area of 2.94 sqmi, all land.

Climate

| Jan record high F = 68 | Feb record high F = 73 | Mar record high F = 86 | Apr record high F = 91 | May record high F = 99 | Jun record high F = 104 | Jul record high F = 107 | Aug record high F = 105 | Sep record high F = 104 | Oct record high F = 95 | Nov record high F = 81 | Dec record high F = 71 | year record high F = 107 | Jan record low F = −28 | Feb record low F = −27 | Mar record low F = −13 | Apr record low F = 3 | May record low F = 26 | Jun record low F = 35 | Jul record low F = 42 | Aug record low F = 38 | Sep record low F = 20 | Oct record low F = 11 | Nov record low F = -9 | Dec record low F = −26 | year record low F = -28 | access-date = July 13, 2021}} | access-date = July 13, 2021}}

Demographics

There were 2,384 households, out of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.39% were married couples living together, 17.53% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.14% were non-families. 36.33% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.83% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.01.

The city's age distribution consisted of 17.2% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,162, and the median income for a family was $58,641. Males had a median income of $30,449 versus $25,827 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,915. About 6.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. · The article must mention how they are associated with , whether born, raised, or residing. · The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. · Alphabetical by last name please · All others will be deleted without further explanation

• Fern Andra (1893–1974; birth name Vernal Andrews), circus performer, actress, early film director
• Henry Bacon (1866–1924), architect of Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
• Fred Bechly (1924–2004), electrical engineer in the field of color television broadcasting
• Edward Bechly (1874–1945), editor and proprietor of Iroquois County Times-Democrat
• Craig Calhoun (1952–), economist and educator, President of Berggruen Institute (2016–)
• Sam Campbell (1895–1962), popular author and nature enthusiast
• P.C. Cast, young adult author (House of Night series)
• Frank M. Crangle (1861–1934), Illinois state representative and lawyer
• Rex Everhart (1920–2000), musical theatre and voice actor
• Mike L. Fry, original Happy the Hobo on the children's television series Happy's Place
• A.E. Henning, City Council member of Los Angeles (1929–1933)
• Curtis Painter (born 1985), NFL quarterback 2009–2014
• Harold Reetz (born 1948), former President of the Foundation for Agronomic Research.
• Sam Rice, Hall of Fame baseball outfielder, 1924 World Series champion
• Vaughn Walker (born 1944), chief judge of for the Northern District of California
• Mary Margaret Whipple (born 1940), former Virginia state senator
• Gordie Windhorn (born 1933), former Major League Baseball player

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{GNIS. 2397217
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. "Explore Census Data".
5. "The People of the Prairie", Charles Warwick, ''The Illinois Steward'', vol. 16, no. 2, 2007
6. (2010). "The Old Courthouse Museum". The Iroquois County Links.
7. (2010). "Illinois - Iroquois County". National Park Service.
8. US Census Bureau. "Gazetteer Files".
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.