La Harpe, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
La Harpe is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
La Harpe is located at (40.582925, -90.968770),GR1 along the South Branch La Moine River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²), all land.
[edit] History
During the 1700s, French explorers headed by Berrard de LaHarpe were forced to spend the winter just north of the present city of La Harpe, Illinois. About 1896, four stone tablets dated June 15,1715 and inscribed in French were reportedly found a few miles east of the old fortication built by the explorers. Soon after 1830, landowners in the area began to develop a town which they called Franklin. In 1836, they applied for a post office and were informed another town in Illinois was already named Franklin. The first postmaster, Louis F. Chaffin, suggested the name be registered as La Harpe, for the Frenchman who spent the winter over 100 years earlier. The City of La Harpe was granted a charter by the Illinois legislature in 1859. The charter was amended in 1861 to change the size of the town, and the boundaries have changed through the years. Today the city has 22 streets and avenues.
In 1867, the TP&W railroad line was completed through the town. In 1888, the City council bought the first fire engine, but a fire in October 1893 still destroyed nearly all the businesses in one block of Main Street. City Hall was built in 1894. The election of 1895 was the first election in which the women of LaHarpe were allowed to vote on the issue of liquor licenses (The women had a separate ballot box). The La Harpe Carnegie Public Library was built in 1905, with local support and a donation from Andrew Carnegie. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The City Park was donated by Marvin Tyron, one of the town's founders, as a public square.
In 1986, La Harpe celebrated 150 years of history. During that year, a Sesquicentennial History entitled La Harpe, Illinois, 1836-1986 was published.
Each summer the town celebrates during the annual Summerfest on the town square.
Today, many of the surviving buildings in La Harpe's business districts, including the City Hall, are on the National Register of Historic Places. La Harpe has the only 4-story building in Hancock County. The park district includes a community club house, swimming pool, LaMoine Valley golf course and a complex of lighted ball fields. The city park has a lighted shelter house and stage.
[edit] Attractions & Events
Summerfest
Fred Gibb Car Show
[edit] Schools
Beginning in August of 2007, La Harpe High School will be shut down and students will attend the newly formed Illini West High School in Carthage. La Harpe Elementary and La Harpe Jr. High School will still remain in La Harpe.
La Harpe High School
In 1996, the Northwestern-La Harpe Thunder football team was the first athletic team with La Harpe High School students to ever participate in the IHSA State Finals. They were defeated 35-28 by the Chenoa, Redbirds. In 2000, the team once again made it to the IHSA State Finals and were defeated by the Carthage Blueboys 14-0. To date, no student from La Harpe High School student has ever participated on an IHSA State Championship team.
La Harpe Grade School/Jr. High
Home of the Eagles
Illini West High School
Home of the Chargers
[edit] Businesses
Time and Chime Jewelry Store
Hancock County Quill
Hometown Insurance
Wood Tax/Accounting
Easy Street Pub
K&C Enterprises Car Sales and Service
K & C Enterprises Sales and Service, LLC was established in April 2002. The used car dealership now occupies the building and lot that formerly housed the La Harpe Motor Sales Ford Dealership. Ken Foster and Lenus Duffie are the owners of the business. Located on Highway 9 East, next to R+D Foods grocery store, and across the street from Dollar General.
R+D Foods
Dollar General
Casey's General Store
Aeryco Convenience Gas Station
My Sister's Place Flower Shop
Jones Insurance Agency
Jones Insurance Agency was originally Howd Insurance Agency, beginning with Jim Howd in 1941. It was passed on to his son, Joel, who continued the tradition of great service until 1985. At that time, the long time family business was sold, and Jay Jones became the new agency principal. The agency has seen many changes over the years in the insurance industry, and automation, while still maintaining the best level of customer service in the area.
In 2006, the agency opened a St. Louis branch office, offering personal lines insurance in Missouri and Illinois.
First State Bank of Western Illinois
On January 9, 1904, The State Bank of Burnside was opened for business with assets of $25,000.00. The Bank prospered, but the Directors felt there was a greater opportunity for growth in a larger town. So, on July 4, 1941, the Bank moved to La Harpe and became the State Bank of La Harpe.
First National Bank of Carthage was chartered May 4, 1934, and opened with assets of $207,758.00. The Bank was sold to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. of Naperville in 1985, and became known as First Midwest Bank/Hancock County. On June 30, 1989, the Carthage branch of First Midwest was sold to the State Bank of La Harpe and the two banks became known as FIRST STATE BANK OF WESTERN ILLINOIS.
On September 7, 1990, First State Bank of Western Illinois purchased the Macomb branch of Gem City Federal Savings and Loan Association. The establishment of a presence in Macomb was a natural part of First State’s plans for growth and commitment to Western Illinois. The Bank’s assets increased to approximately $70 million with the Gem City acquisition.
On November 12, 1997, First State Bank of Western Illinois opened a full-service branch in Thompson’s Food Basket in Macomb, Illinois. This was the first in-store branch in either McDonough or Hancock counties and is indicative of our continued effort to provide the most up to date delivery service for our customers.
In July of 2000, First State Bank of Western Illinois purchased the Hamilton, Illinois Branch of Associated Banc-Corporation. The purchase of this $27,000,000 institution gave First State three strategically located facilities in Hancock County and increased total assets to $125,000,000. This also made First State Bank of Western Illinois the largest financial institution in Hancock County.
In the late summer of 2000, Thompson Food Basket in Macomb, Illinois discontinued business and as such First State Express was forced to close it’s doors. Discussions began immediately with Hy-Vee, who was in the process of building a new store on the east side of Macomb. Negotiations were successful and in October of 2000 First State Express opened it’s doors in Hy-Vee’s new facility on East Jackson.
In late 2003 discussions were initiated with Union Bank/West to purchase their Blandinsville, Illinois Branch. Blandinsville is only seven miles east of La Harpe, with a great deal of overlapping commerce, making the location an obvious choice. An agreement was reached and on May 7, 2004 the $12,000,000 Branch became First State’s sixth full-service location bringing the Bank’s total assets to $147,000,000.
Also, in late 2003 Associated Bank contacted us concerning their Monmouth location. Monmouth, being the county seat of Warren County and contiguous to McDonough County on the north, was a logical choice for a First State location. Terms were agreed upon and on June 18, 2004 the $7,000,000 branch became First State’s seventh location, bringing the Bank’s total assets to $155,000,000.
[edit] Park District
Golf Course
La Harpe is home to one of the states few golf courses with sand greens. The 9-hole par 34 "Lamoine Valley" course at the Lamoine Valley Golf Club facility features all the hallmarks of Illinois golf for only $3. It is located at the corner of West Archer and North E Street near the La Harpe Park District Pool. The course features many grass traps, a pond and a one of a kind sand trap with the grass initals “JT” in the middle of the sand trap on the par 3 number 6 hole. “JT” stands for the current Superintendent Jeff Thompson who took over after the longtime groundskeeper Raymond Reed passed away in 2000. Each summer local golfers compete in the LH Open 2 Man Best Ball Tournament around Summerfest. The Lamoine Valley Golf Course is also home of La Harpe’s Junior High's 200 meter grass track in the spring, and the Annual Fred Gibb Car Show. Also, during the winter months, the golf course hills challenge local recreational sledders. The Lamoine Valley golf course opened in 1920.
La Harpe Community Club House
The club house is available to rent for special occasions. It also hosts the annual Lions Club breakfast and is the polling place for La Harpe residents.
La Harpe Community Reservoir
Dr. B. I. and Flora Mueller Wildlife Area is located at the community reservoir, this area houses wildlife and many beautiful flowers.
La Harpe Community Swimming Pool
La Harpe Baseball/Softball Complex
[edit] Churches
Union Church
Christian Church
Methodist Church
[edit] Clubs & Organizations
La Harpe Historical and Genealogical Society
Lions Club
Golden Rule Club
[edit] Residents
Fred Gibb Jr.
Fred Gibb Jr. was a Chevrolet Dealer in La Harpe, Illinois for 36 years. Gibb began his racing career in 1967 with the high performance "302" Z28 Camaro and retired from racing in 1971 after winning the A.H.R.A. World Championship for Pro Stock in San Francisco, California. Some of his family still reside in LaHarpe.
Charles Duryea
Charles Duryea, who with his brother, Frank invented the first gasoline-powered automobile, graduated from La Harpe's Gittings Seminary in 1882.
Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones was the only resident from La Harpe to ever win a IHSA State Championship medal by winning back to back Class A High Jump titles in 1997 and 1998.
Byron I. Mueller
Doctor Byron I. Mueller came to La Harpe in 1938. He and his wife, Flora served La Harpe and the surrounding community for over 54 years. In 1993,they were honored by the dedication of the Dr. B. I. and Flora Mueller Wildlife Area.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 1,385 people, 561 households, and 383 families residing in the city. The population density was 393.2/km² (1,021.8/mi²). There were 604 housing units at an average density of 171.5/km² (445.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.78% White, 0.07% from other races, and 0.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.14% of the population.
There were 561 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,589, and the median income for a family was $37,708. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $20,400 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,586. About 4.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] External links
La Harpe Website
Local Newspaper Websites
Local Radio Websites
Local Library Website
Local Business Websites
Local Church Websites
Local Websites
Maps
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
 |
Municipalities and Communities of Hancock County, Illinois (County Seat: Carthage) |
|---|---|
| Cities, Towns and Villages | Adrian | Augusta | Basco | Bentley | Bowen | Burnside | Carthage | Colmar | Colusa | Dallas City | Denver | Elvaston | Ferris | Fountain Green | Hamilton | La Crosse | La Harpe | McCall | Nauvoo | Niota | Plymouth | Pontoosuc | Stillwell | Sutter | Warsaw | Webster | West Point |
| Townships | Appanoose | Augusta | Bear Creek | Carthage | Chili | Dallas City | Durham | Fountain Green | Hancock | Harmony | La Harpe | Montebello | Nauvoo | Pilot Grove | Pontoosuc | Prairie | Rock Creek | Rocky Run | Sonora | St. Albans | St. Mary's | Walker | Warsaw | Wilcox | Wythe |
