Catharine, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catharine, Illinois
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 Catharine, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Catharine, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | LaSalle |
| Township | Serena |
| Elevation | 643 ft (196 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 815 & 779 |
| GNIS feature ID | 405700 |
Catharine is a small place in Illinois, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government. Instead, it is part of a larger area called Serena Township in LaSalle County.
Catharine is located along County Route 2. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of a town called Sheridan.
How Catharine Got Its Name
Catharine was not always called Catharine. Its first name was Burgess Junction. This name came from an attorney who worked for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
A Special Proposal
The name of the community changed in 1968. This happened because of a special request from a man named Ellis Waller. On May 23, 1968, Ellis asked Catharine (Katie) Bentley to marry him. He did this during a special train trip. Ellis had planned this trip as a fundraiser for the railroad.
A New Name for a New Chapter
Ellis asked the railroad company, CB&Q, to rename Burgess Junction after Catharine. The railroad agreed to his request. A surprise party was held for Catharine. It took place on a private train car at Union Station in Chicago. At this party, Catharine received a metal sign. This sign would be put up at the junction, showing its new name.
