Fidelity, Illinois

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Fidelity is a village in Jersey County, Illinois, United States, located about 35 miles north of Saint Louis, Missouri. The population was 105 at the 2000 census. The village is noted for its postmark.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1829 people from Tennessee reportedly traveled across the site. According to local legend, a horse belonging to settler Joseph Russell went lame, stranding Russell, who was offered a replacement horse by Samuel Simmons.

The legend continues that Russell replied, "That's true fidelity."

Simmons built a log cabin there and in 1850 Russell and his brother also settled in the area. The Russell brothers are credited with having ensured the town was officially named Fidelity. A post office was established in 1854. During the mid-20th century Fidelity was reportedly the site of "a small Army barracks, grain elevator, several doctors and dentists, a blacksmith shop and grocery stores." By 2007 Fidelity was a small village mostly made up of mobile homes. The post office was the village's only remaining business and its postmark has enjoyed some popularity for use on Valentine's day greetings, with several hundred requests for cancellations received from addresses both in the United States and around the world each year.[1]

[edit] Geography

Fidelity is located at 39°9′17″N, 90°9′50″W (39.154636, -90.163947).GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²), all land. It is about 35 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 105 people, 41 households, and 30 families residing in the village. The population density was 368.6/km² (941.2/mi²). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 154.4/km² (394.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 100.00% White.

There were 41 households out of which 46.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the village the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $17,500, and the median income for a family was $17,083. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $7,798. There were 27.6% of families and 28.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 29.0% of under eighteens and 13.3% of those over 64.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Associated Press, Postmaster Shows Lot of Love in Fidelity, Jim Suhr, retrieved Feb 10 2007

[edit] External links


Flag of Illinois Municipalities and Communities of Jersey County, Illinois
(County Seat: Jerseyville)
Cities, Towns and Villages Brighton | Chautauqua | Delhi | Dow | East Hardin | Elsah | Fidelity | Fieldon | Grafton | Jerseyville | Kemper | McClusky | Miles Station | New Delhi | Nutwood | Otterville | Summerville
Townships Elsah | English | Fidelity | Jersey | Mississippi | Otter Creek | Piasa | Quarry | Richwoods | Rosedale | Ruyle
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