Carbon Cliff, Illinois

Carbon Cliff
Village
Country United States
State Illinois
County Rock Island
Coordinates 41°29′55″N 90°23′46″W / 41.49861°N 90.39611°WCoordinates: 41°29′55″N 90°23′46″W / 41.49861°N 90.39611°W
Area 2.05 sq mi (5 km2)
 - land 2.05 sq mi (5 km2)
 - water 0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Population 2,134 (2010)
Density 827.4 / sq mi (319 / km2)
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 61239
Area code 309
Location of Carbon Cliff within Illinois
Wikimedia Commons: Carbon Cliff, Illinois
Website: www.carbon-cliff.com

Carbon Cliff is a village in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,689 at the 2000 census. It lies in the south part of Hampton Township.

Geography

Carbon Cliff is located at 41°29′55″N 90°23′46″W / 41.49861°N 90.39611°W (41.498698, -90.396129).[1]

According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 2.05 square miles (5.3 km2), all land.[2]

Demographics

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,689 people, 683 households, and 454 families residing in the village. The population density was 827.4 people per square mile (319.7/km²). There were 723 housing units at an average density of 354.2 per square mile (136.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 90.70% White, 4.50% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 1.18% from other races, and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.

There were 683 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the village the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $35,921, and the median income for a family was $41,429. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,998. About 10.2% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over.

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
20001,689—
20102,13426.3%
Decemial US Census

History

The Chicago and Rock Island railroad (later the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific) reached Carbon Cliff in 1854.[4] By the mid-19th century, Carbon Cliff had become a coal mining center, and was named for the many coal mines that dotted the bluff west of town. The Carbon Cliff mines were the earliest worked on the west side of the Rock River. Stoehr & Schadt Coal Co and others mined extensively for many years, but by the beginning of the 20th century the limited supply of coal was nearly exhausted and mining there was discontinued.[5]

On November 13, 1906 voters of Hampton territory petitioned the county court for permission to incorporate as a village. The citizens voted and with 55 to 28 in favor, Carbon Cliff was incorporated on December 8, 1906.[6]

The Carbon Cliff bluffs were also known as an excellent source of clay. The Argillo Works was formed in 1865 to produce fire brick and farm-drain tile. Argillo's products were sold throughout the country and was one of the leading industries of Rock Island County. In the 1930s, fire destroyed the plant's offices and buildings and the firm went out of business.[7]

From Economical Geology of Illinois, a geological survey by Illinois State Geologist A. H. Worthen, published 1882:

The best [pottery establishment] perhaps, in this part of the state, is located at Carbon Cliff, within a few yards of the railroad station of the same name. Many years ago a company was formed for the purpose of mining coal in the Carbon Cliff bluffs. The company operated the mines, with varying success, until the coal practically became exhausted. The fine strata of potter's clay outcropping all along the exhausted coal seam then attracted attention. A pottery was started... the buildings are of brick, the principal one is similar to a large railroad round house, with a towering smoke stack in the center. Around this has sprung up a little village, dependant for existence upon this single manufactory."[8]
Carbon Cliff, 1915

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. ↑ "Places: Illinois". 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  3. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ↑ "My Present Past: Chicago Rock Island Railroad". Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  5. ↑ Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908
  6. ↑ http://www.illinoisancestors.org/rockisland/Cities/carbondclif/carboncliff.htm
  7. ↑ Cooperman, David T. Rock Island County. Charleston SC, Chicago IL, Portsmouth NH, San Francisco CA: Arcadia Publishing, 2008.
  8. ↑ Worthen, A.H., State Geologist. Economic Geology of Illinois, vol. 3. Springfield, IL: H.W. Rokker, 1882.