Bunker Hill, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bunker Hill, Illinois
City
Welcome sign
Location in Macoupin County, Illinois
Bunker Hill, Illinois Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Macoupin
Township	Bunker Hill
Named for	Battle of Bunker Hill
Area
• Total	1.31 sq mi (3.38 km2)
• Land	1.28 sq mi (3.32 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation	656 ft (200 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,630
• Density	1,272.44/sq mi (491.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	62014
Area code(s)	618
FIPS code	17-09577
GNIS feature ID	2393463
Wikimedia Commons	Bunker Hill, Illinois

Bunker Hill is a small city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. In 2020, about 1,630 people lived there. It's a place with a lot of history, from its early settlement to a big tornado that changed the town.

History of Bunker Hill

Early Days

Long ago, the land where Bunker Hill now stands was home to Native American tribes. These included the Peoria people, Kickapoo people, and Winnebago people. Around 1830, they were moved away from this area by the United States government.

Later that year, the first European-American settlers arrived. The area was first called "Wolf Ridge" because there were many wolves around. The very first settler was Elijah Lincoln in 1830. He started a small settlement about a mile and a half from where Bunker Hill is today. This early town was even named "Lincoln" after him.

In 1833, the first post office opened nearby. A schoolhouse was built around 1831, which also served as a meeting place for the Baptist church.

In 1834, more land was claimed for what would become the center of Bunker Hill. By 1836, the first settlement of "Lincoln" was no longer active. So, in 1837, new settlers decided to create a new town. This new town was named Bunker Hill.

The Big Tornado of 1948

View of the downtown business district after the tornado

View of Meissner School, one of few surviving buildings

On March 19, 1948, a powerful tornado hit Bunker Hill. It arrived at 6:45 AM and caused huge damage in less than a minute. The tornado destroyed most of the town's buildings and sadly killed 19 people.

The downtown area lost many buildings. Streets were blocked by rubble. The newly fixed Meissner School was one of the few buildings that survived. It became a first aid station, and a temporary morgue was set up in another classroom.

Soon, ambulances and help arrived from nearby towns. The National Guard, US Army, Red Cross, and Salvation Army came to help. They worked to keep order and assist the people of Bunker Hill.

Soldiers patrolled to stop looting, and police blocked roads to keep sightseers away. The Red Cross and Salvation Army set up food stations. A local grocery store donated all its food. A temporary post office opened in the bank lobby. Farmers used their tractors to clear the streets.

By evening, the Red Cross set up tents for people who lost their homes. In total, 126 people were hurt, and 19 died. The damage cost millions of dollars. All five churches in Bunker Hill were destroyed. Two ministers held Easter Sunday services on March 28, 1948, using a bulldozer as a pulpit. About 500 people gathered for the service.

Before the tornado, a brick pavilion stood in the middle of Washington and Warren Streets. It was used for community events. After the tornado, it was replaced by a flagpole and a memorial for military veterans.

Bunker Hill Military Academy

Bunker Hill was once home to the Bunker Hill Military Academy. It opened in 1859 as the Bunker Hill Academy. It closed during the Civil War. From 1862 to 1869, the building was used as Bunker Hill's public school.

In 1883, it became a military academy. It offered strict lessons to local kids and cadets. The academy stayed open until 1914. After the 1948 tornado, the land was given to the American Legion. They built a local post and a park there.

Where is Bunker Hill?

Bunker Hill is in the southern part of Macoupin County, Illinois. It's about 19 miles north of Carlinville, the county seat. The city of Alton is about 20 miles southwest. Downtown St. Louis is about 37 miles to the south-southwest.

The city covers about 1.31 square miles. Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. Bunker Hill sits on a ridge. Water from the ridge flows into Paddock Creek and Indian Creek. These creeks eventually flow into the Mississippi River.

Getting Around

Bunker Hill is located where Illinois Route 159 crosses the Bunker Hill Blacktop. Route 159 runs north and south. The Bunker Hill Blacktop goes west to Brighton and east to Staunton. The closest airport is St. Louis Regional Airport. It is about 15 miles southwest of Bunker Hill.

The Abraham Lincoln Statue

The Lincoln statue in Bunker Hill

Captain Charles Clinton

Bunker Hill has one of four statues of Abraham Lincoln made by William Grandville Hastings. In 1904, Captain Charles Clinton donated the statue. He was a soldier from Company B of the First Missouri Voluntary Cavalry. He gave the statue to honor local veterans who served in the Civil War.

The money for the granite base was collected from people who wanted to help. The bronze statue of Lincoln was shipped from Philadelphia.

On September 7, 1904, the statue was revealed. Miss Mary True, whose father helped found the town, unveiled it. About 7,000 people came to the dedication after a parade. The Governor of Illinois, Richard Yates Jr., and Senator Shelby M. Collum were there. Many local veterans from Company B also attended.

A plaque on the statue's base says:

1904– In Ever Lasting Memory of The Conflict By Which The Union In Which They Took Part This Statue of Abraham Lincoln Was Presented To the Citizens of Bunker Hill By the Soldiers of Company B of the First Missouri Cavalry, Charles Clinton

The statue also shows Lady Liberty kneeling at the base. She is carving the words "with malice toward none." The Lincoln statue is in the middle of North Washington (IL Route 159) and Fayette streets.

Fun Places to Visit

The Bunker Hill City Cemetery has a special Soldiers Monument. It honors those who fought for freedom. The monument was built in 1866. It was damaged by the 1948 tornado. In 1951, three World War II veterans fixed it. A special ceremony was held on September 17, 2016, to rededicate it.

The Bunker Hill Historical Museum shares the town's history. It is located at 114 East Warren Street. This building used to be the public library and then City Hall. The museum has exhibits on local churches, cemeteries, and schools. It also has information about the 1948 tornado. You can even see an old doctor's office from the early 1900s. The museum is open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Brittany Shooting Park is located north of town. It hosts several Illinois State trap meets each year. They also offer daily shooting and programs for kids who want to learn the sport.

Schools in Bunker Hill

Bunker Hill is part of the Bunker Hill CUSD#8 school district. The city has one high school, Bunker Hill High School.

Who Lives in Bunker Hill?

According to the 2020 census, 1,630 people lived in Bunker Hill. This was a bit less than the 1,774 people counted in 2010.

See also

In Spanish: Bunker Hill (Illinois) para niños