Cropsey, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cropsey, Illinois
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 Cropsey, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Cropsey, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | McLean |
| Elevation | 797 ft (243 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
61731
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| Area code(s) | 309 |
| GNIS feature ID | 406824 |
Cropsey is a small, unincorporated community located in McLean County, Illinois, United States. This means it's a town that isn't officially governed by its own local government. It was named after Andrew J. Cropsey, who was a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
History of Cropsey, Illinois
How Cropsey Was Founded
Cropsey was officially started on October 8, 1880. Two important people, Henry L. Terpening and Ira C. Pratt, helped create the town.
Ira C. Pratt was originally from Vermont. He learned how to be a blacksmith and make wagons. He moved to Illinois in 1855. Later, he bought land near where Cropsey is now. He started a business making drain tiles in Cropsey. He even built a big house there in 1883.
Henry L. Terpening was from New York. He was a farmer in Cropsey Township. He also served in the Illinois State Legislature in the early 1890s.
Before Cropsey was established, people in the area wanted a railroad. They hoped a railroad would help their community grow. In 1880, the Clinton, Bloomington and Northeastern Railroad was planned. Many local people gave money and land to bring the railroad to Cropsey Township. Cropsey was laid out at the same time as other new towns along this railroad. These towns included Anchor, Colfax, and Cooksville.
The first trains arrived on July 4, 1880. The railroad tracks were completed to Bloomington two years later. This railroad soon became part of the Illinois Central system. The town and the township were named after Andrew J. Cropsey. He was a Civil War officer and a member of the Illinois Legislature.
Designing and Developing Cropsey
The original town of Cropsey was quite small, with about fifty building lots. The railroad tracks ran diagonally through the town. On one side of the tracks, Main Street ran parallel to them. There were eleven lots facing Main Street.
Near the tracks, there was a train station and a grain elevator. Another grain elevator and a stockyard were also nearby. Other lots were located along streets like Yates Street, Locust Street, East Street, and Belle Prairie Street.
By 1895, only a few businesses had opened in Cropsey.
- Seth R. Alford ran the Alford House Hotel. He also offered horse and carriage services.
- H. L. Barns operated a bank and dealt in livestock and grain.
- E. W. Crum had a blacksmith shop and sold drain tiles.
- The Meeker brothers sold groceries, dry goods, and hardware.
- L. W. Alford and Brother sold clothing, shoes, and household items. They also repaired harnesses.
Most of these early businesses were located on Main Street. Since those early days, Cropsey has remained a very small community.
Notable People from Cropsey
Some well-known individuals have connections to Cropsey:
- Gene Brucker: A famous historian who studied the Renaissance period.
- Lloyd Loar: A talented musician known for playing the mandolin.
