Clear Lake, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clear Lake
Former village
Clearlake
Location of Clear Lake in Sangamon County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Sangamon
Township	Clear Lake
Incorporated	1955
Dissolved	2022
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)
Population  (2020)
• Total	203
• Density	2,206.52/sq mi (852.26/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)	217
FIPS code	17-14845

Clear Lake is a small community in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. It used to be an official village but is now an unincorporated community. In 2020, about 203 people lived there. Clear Lake is part of the larger Springfield, Illinois area.

Exploring Clear Lake's Location

Clear Lake is found in central Illinois. It is located northeast of the city of Springfield. The community is also southwest of Riverton. It sits right next to the Sangamon River on its western side.

Clear Lake's Past: A Brief History

Clear Lake has an interesting history, especially tied to a nearby military camp and a famous pioneer.

Camp Butler and the Civil War

Just north of Clear Lake is Camp Butler National Cemetery. During the American Civil War, this area was a training ground for soldiers. The actual body of water called Clear Lake was important then. Its clean, sandy-bottom water provided a good source for troops and their horses.

A Popular Recreation Spot

After the Civil War, Clear Lake became a popular place for people from the Springfield area to relax and have fun. However, its popularity decreased after a much larger lake, Lake Springfield, was built in the 1930s. Later, in the 2000s, the city of Springfield bought Clear Lake. They now use it as a backup source for their water supply.

George Donner's Connection

George Donner, a well-known figure from the difficult Donner Party journey, once lived in the Clear Lake area with his family. He is buried at Oak Hill cemetery, which is located in Clear Lake.

Becoming and Un-Becoming a Village

Clear Lake officially became an incorporated village in 1955. This meant it had its own local government. The first leaders of the village were all from a new political group called the Clear Lake Independents. They ran for office without anyone running against them.

However, in 2022, the village was dissolved. This means it stopped being an official village and its local government ended. At this time, it was officially known as "Clearlake." The services for the community are now handled by Clear Lake Township and Sangamon County. The decision to dissolve the village was very popular. Almost everyone who voted wanted it to happen.

Learning and Schools in Clear Lake

Students living in Clear Lake attend schools within the Riverton Community Unit School District.

Getting Around: Transportation in Clear Lake

Clear Lake is easy to reach by road. It is located near a major highway interchange where Interstate 55 and Interstate 72 meet, close to Springfield. Old US Route 36 runs right through the community. Illinois Route 54 is also just a few miles north.

Interesting Places to Visit in Clear Lake

• The Oaks Golf Course (formerly Oak Crest Country Club)
• Gravel Pits (used as a backup water source for Springfield)
• Devil's Hole fishing area
• Old Sangamon River Bridge
• Roselawn and Oak Hill Cemetery
• Sugar Creek
• Sangamon River
• Clear Lake (the body of water)

Clear Lake's Population Over Time

The population of Clear Lake has changed over the years. In 2000, there were 267 people living in the village. By 2020, the population was 203 people.

See also

In Spanish: Clear Lake (Illinois) para niños