Cullom, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cullom, Illinois
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Location in Livingston County, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Livingston |
| Township | Sullivan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.34 sq mi (0.87 km2) |
| • Land | 0.34 sq mi (0.87 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 682 ft (208 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 520 |
| • Density | 1,552.24/sq mi (599.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
60929
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-18030 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2398658 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Cullom, Illinois |
Cullom is a small village located in Livingston County, Illinois, in the United States. It's about 20 miles east of Pontiac, which is the main city of the county. Cullom is also very close to the border of Ford County. In 2020, about 520 people lived in Cullom.
Contents
History of Cullom
Cullom started thanks to the Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad reached the area in 1878. A man named Frederick Hack helped make the village possible. He gave the railroad company land for their tracks. He also paid them $4,000 to build the village. Mr. Hack planned the village and gave 40 acres of land for it.
How Cullom Got Its Name
The village was named after Shelby Moore Cullom. He was the 17th governor of Illinois. Originally, Mr. Hack wanted to name the town "Jeffrey." This was after the roadmaster of the Illinois Central Railroad. But Jeffrey wanted to name it "Hack" after Mr. Hack.
They decided to compromise and named it Cullom instead. Governor Cullom was happy about this. He sent $25 to be given to the first church built in the village. This money went to the Methodists, who built their church in 1880.
Early Buildings and Businesses
The main street in Cullom's business area was named Hack Street. This was to honor Frederick Hack. The very first building was moved to Cullom in 1878. It came from Chatsworth, Illinois and was used as a lumber office.
Soon after, more buildings appeared. A general store was set up in a two-story building. Another store, which later became Crosten’s Drug Store, was built on Maple Street.
Cullom has had a post office since 1878. The first postmaster, John Weinland, also traded hogs and grain. He even sold building lots for Mr. Hack for about $15 each.
The first school in Cullom was built around 1880. It was a wooden building with two rooms. Younger students learned on the first floor. Older students were on the second floor.
Becoming an Official Village
Even though Cullom started in 1878, it didn't become an official village until July 27, 1882. This is called being "incorporated." The first village leaders were elected in August of that year. Jesse Hatfield became the first Mayor.
The village grew bigger in the early 1900s. New areas were added to the south, east, and west. By the early 1900s, Cullom had over 500 people. The first bank, called the First National Bank, opened in 1907.
At one time, Cullom was a busy place! It had many different businesses, including:
- Four grocery stores
- Two hotels
- A bank
- A hardware store
- A drug store
- A post office
- Two barbershops
- A weekly newspaper
- Two grain elevators
Geography of Cullom
Cullom is located in the eastern part of Livingston County. It is the only official village in Sullivan Township.
Illinois Route 116 goes right through the village. This road leads west about 20 miles to Pontiac. It also goes east about 16 miles to Ashkum. Route 116 connects to major highways like Interstate 55 and Interstate 57.
Cullom covers a total area of about 0.33 square miles (0.87 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population of Cullom
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 200 | — | |
| 1900 | 456 | 128.0% | |
| 1910 | 579 | 27.0% | |
| 1920 | 631 | 9.0% | |
| 1930 | 489 | −22.5% | |
| 1940 | 509 | 4.1% | |
| 1950 | 492 | −3.3% | |
| 1960 | 555 | 12.8% | |
| 1970 | 572 | 3.1% | |
| 1980 | 608 | 6.3% | |
| 1990 | 568 | −6.6% | |
| 2000 | 563 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 555 | −1.4% | |
| 2020 | 520 | −6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 563 people living in Cullom. The average household had about 2.27 people. About 26% of the population was under 18 years old. About 21% of residents were 65 years or older.
Things to See and Do
Veterans Monument
In 2002, the American Legion Skinner-Trost Post 122 created a special monument. It honors all the local veterans, both living and those who have passed away. The monument is located at the West Lawn Cemetery on W. Jackson Street. It has symbols for all parts of the military, like the US Air Force, US Army, US Marine Corps, United States Navy, and Coast Guard. New names are added as community members join and leave the military.
Tri Point High School
Students from Cullom attend Tri Point High School for grades 9-12. This high school also serves students from nearby villages. These include Cabery, Kempton, Piper City, and Stelle.
Famous People from Cullom
- Arnold Orville Beckman (1900–2004) was born in Cullom. He was a very smart chemist and inventor. He also invested in businesses and gave a lot of money to good causes.
See also
In Spanish: Cullom para niños
