Campus, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Campus, Illinois
|
|
|---|---|
Location in Livingston County, Illinois
|
|
.svg)
Location of Illinois in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Livingston |
| Townships | Round Grove, Broughton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| • Land | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 653 ft (199 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 149 |
| • Density | 1,619.57/sq mi (623.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-10916 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397545 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Campus, Illinois |
Campus is a small village in Livingston County, Illinois. It is located in two different townships: Round Grove and Broughton. In 2020, about 149 people lived there.
Contents
History of Campus Village
Campus was planned and built by Charles William Sheldon in April 1880. It was located along the Wabash Railroad on his large farm. The town got its name, "Campus," because its many trees reminded someone of a college campus.
Early Businesses and Growth
Charles William Sheldon was a farmer. He also started the first business in Campus, called Campus Brick & Tile Co. This company made millions of feet of drain tile, which are pipes used to remove extra water from farmland. It was a very important business for the town for many years. The company closed in 1952.
Thomas Feehery built the first store and post office in Campus. Soon after, the Chariton brothers built another store. In 1896, the first hotel was built. Other businesses included a stable for horses, owned by Ole Nelson and Thomas Connors.
Modern Improvements and Challenges
By 1894, Campus had a water system. The town also had street lights, cement sidewalks, and an electric light plant. These were big improvements for a small, rural town back then.
In 1897, a large fire destroyed three business buildings. But the town quickly rebuilt them with strong brick.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
The first brick building in Campus was the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The church started in the 1870s with a small building south of Campus. This building was later moved into the village.
A new brick church building was started in 1983 and finished a year later. A house for the priest was built next to it. A school for the church was built in 1898. The school closed in 1930. Later, the school building was used for different purposes, including a home for priests. Over time, this beautiful building became empty and needed repairs.
Recent Developments
In 2024, the village received $1.3 million from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This money will be used to improve the water system in Campus. This is a big help for the community.
Joseph Zeller, who later became a businessman and politician in Pennsylvania, was born in Campus in 1918.
Geography of Campus
Campus is located in the northeastern part of Livingston County. Most of the village is in Round Grove Township. However, a few blocks are in Broughton Township, which is to the south. Campus is about 11 miles southeast of Dwight by road.
The village covers a total area of about 0.09 square miles (0.24 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Changes
The number of people living in Campus has changed over the years. Here is how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 226 | — | |
| 1910 | 241 | 6.6% | |
| 1920 | 228 | −5.4% | |
| 1930 | 160 | −29.8% | |
| 1940 | 169 | 5.6% | |
| 1950 | 183 | 8.3% | |
| 1960 | 165 | −9.8% | |
| 1970 | 217 | 31.5% | |
| 1980 | 224 | 3.2% | |
| 1990 | 137 | −38.8% | |
| 2000 | 145 | 5.8% | |
| 2010 | 166 | 14.5% | |
| 2020 | 149 | −10.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 145 people living in Campus. About 55% of the homes had children under 18. The average age of people in the village was 24 years old.
See also
- In Spanish: Campus (Illinois) para niños
