Petersburg, Illinois

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Petersburg is a city in Menard County, Illinois, on the bluffs and part of the floodplain overlooking the Sangamon River. The population was 2,299 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Menard CountyGR6. Petersburg is located approximately two miles north of New Salem, the original settlement where Abraham Lincoln first settled when he came to Illinois.

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[edit] History

The town began as a planned community organized by real estate speculators Peter Lukins (for whom the town is named) and George Warburton. Abraham Lincoln worked as the surveyor who first mapped, measured and help to divide lots on the land. Petersburg quickly grew, due to an advantageous placement on the river, becoming the county seat in the 1830s and eventually drawing off the population of New Salem, which was abandoned in 1840.

Many of the lush Victorian-era homes built by early wealthy inhabitants still stand on the bluffs of Petersburg. The town itself takes great pride in these structures, which has even preserved some of the original cobblestone streets to compliment the classical architecture.

[edit] Economy

Petersburg began as a trade center for agriculture in the region, and a shipping point, where a railhead met a point in the Sangamon river that was both navigable and crossable. In recent decades, the depth of the Sangamon River at Petersburg has become too shallow for navigation, due to silting from local farming and from the diverting of natural runoff into artificial resevoirs such as Lake Petersburg and Lake Springfield. The economy of the area is still derived primarily out of agriculture, pariticularly in corn production. Tourism is a steady (if small) industry, and the town caters to Lincoln enthusiasts as a gateway to New Salem and in housing some relics of Lincoln's early life in Illinois. There is also a growing number bed and breakfast inns, many of which are located in restored Victorian homes. Recent developments have also turned the town into a bedroom community for the state capital of Springfield, Illinois, which is some twenty miles to the southeast.

[edit] Famous Citizens

Petersburg was also one of the early homes of lawyer and writer Edgar Lee Masters who wrote the famous book of poems Spoon River Anthology. Masters also went on to be a law partner of Clarence Darrow. Masters' boyhood home is still preserved and open for visits.

The town is the final resting place of Ann Rutledge, rumored to have been Lincoln's first great love. Rutledge died during an outbreak of Typhoid, and is buried in Oakridge Cemetery. A headstone engraved with Edgar Lee Masters' poem about her was added to her grave many years after her death.

Major B. F. Stephenson, the founder of the Grand Army of the Republic lies buried in Petersburg's Rose Hill Cemetery.

[edit] Geography

Petersburg is located at 40°0′41″N, 89°51′5″W (40.011503, -89.851505)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²), all land.

The bulk of Petersburg lies on the bluffs overlooking the Sangamon River, though a portion of it, including the downtown/courthouse square area is technically on the floodplain of the river.

The town itself is moderately forested, a stark contrast to the flat plains around it. The trees are mostly deciduous maples and oaks, and New Salem State Park is home to sizable stand of old growth forest.

[edit] Natural Disasters

Petersburg was damaged by an earthquake originating in the New Madrid Fault, on July 18, 1909. The earthquake was felt over most of central Illinois, but Petersburg suffered the most widespread damage.

The portions of Petersburg located below the bluffs suffered major flood damage during the intense flood season of 1993. The city and Menard County have since undertaken a campaign to buy and eliminate the low income housing located in the most flood-prone areas, creating a small series of parks near the Sangamon River.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 2,299 people, 997 households, and 612 families residing in the city. The population density was 657.5/km² (1,705.7/mi²). There were 1,076 housing units at an average density of 307.7/km² (798.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.78% White, 1.09% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 0.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 997 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,688, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $32,292 versus $22,396 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,718. About 13.8% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Points of interest

  • Lincoln's New Salem State Park: This park, with its log cabin village, is situated two miles south of Petersburg. This is where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837. Along with the rebuilt cabins, the park also boasts a historical center and an outdoor theater. It now has more than one-half million visitors each year.
  • Starhill Forest Arboretum
  • Edgar Lee Masters Home: Located on the comer of Eighth and Jackson Streets in Petersburg. Open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tues., Thurs.-Sat. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
  • The New Salem Country Opry: The longest contiuously running country music show in Illinois.

[edit] External links

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