Bernadotte, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bernadotte |
|
| Unincorporated community | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Illinois |
| County | Fulton |
| Coordinates | 40°28′N 90°17′W / 40.467°N 90.283°W |
| Timezone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| Area code | 309 |
Bernadotte is a small, unincorporated community in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that isn't officially part of a city or town, so it doesn't have its own local government.
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What is Bernadotte Like?
Bernadotte is about four miles north of a town called Ipava. It sits right by the Spoon River. You can find Bernadotte at these coordinates: 40°28′N 90°17′W / 40.467°N 90.283°W. This spot is also near the northeast corner of an old U.S. Army training area called Camp Ellis.
The Spoon River Dam
Bernadotte is special because it has the only dam on the Spoon River. The U.S. Army Engineers built this dam. They needed it to hold water for Camp Ellis. Before that, there was an older mill and dam here. Today, the dam is still a popular spot for people who enjoy fishing.
A Look Back: Bernadotte's History
Bernadotte got its name from a famous person. He was a French Marshal who later became the King of Sweden. His name was Charles XIV John. The community was first settled in 1826. Back then, it was known as Fulton. It was a busy place for milling, which means grinding grain and sawing wood.
Important Landmarks
Bernadotte has two main landmarks. One is the dam on the Spoon River. The other is an iron bridge. This bridge was built in 1915. It replaced an older wooden covered bridge. That old bridge was used for many years to cross the Spoon River. It was also part of the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
Almost the Capital!
Did you know Bernadotte was once considered to be the capital of Illinois? This was before Vandalia became the capital in 1820. Bernadotte lost by just one vote in the state legislature!
Changes Over Time
Until the early 1940s, about 400 people lived in Bernadotte. But during World War II, most of the community was taken down. This happened because it became part of Camp Ellis. Camp Ellis was a large camp for training soldiers and holding prisoners of war. Today, fewer than 100 people live in Bernadotte. Its population was not even counted in the 2000 U.S. Census.
The Bernadotte Bridge
The Bernadotte Bridge is one of the few iron bridges still standing in Illinois. It was built in 1910. It replaced the old covered bridge that crossed the Spoon River. The iron bridge at Bernadotte is now closed to cars. But it is still a big attraction for people who live nearby and visitors to the Spoon River area.
