Barnes, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barnes, Illinois
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 Barnes, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Barnes, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | McLean |
| Elevation | 853 ft (260 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 309 |
| GNIS feature ID | 422432 |
Barnes is a small, unincorporated community in McLean County, Illinois. This means it's a settlement that isn't officially governed as a city or town. It's located in the central part of Illinois, northeast of the cities of Bloomington and Normal.
Contents
The Story of Barnes, Illinois
How Barnes Began
Imagine a time in the 1880s when new communities were popping up across America! That's when a man named Calvin Barnes decided to start a settlement in McLean County, Illinois. He first called it "Barnesville." His own home was the very first building, and soon after, a big grain elevator was built. Grain elevators are tall buildings used to store grain, like corn or wheat, before it's shipped away.
Life in Early Barnes
In 1884, Barnes even got its own post office! This was a big deal, as it meant people could send and receive mail right there. The post office served the community for many years, closing its doors in 1919. Later, in 1921, Walter and Alta Weber opened a general store. This store would have been a central place for people to buy everyday items and supplies.
Why Barnes Stayed Small
The community of Barnes was planned along the Illinois Central Railroad. This was a major railway line, and people hoped it would help Barnes grow. The original plans for Barnes were quite ambitious! They included four streets and more than 20 lots for businesses. However, despite these big plans, Barnes never grew very large. Its population never even reached ten people. Today, only a few of the original grain elevator buildings are still standing, reminding us of this small, hopeful community.
