Darwin, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darwin, Illinois
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Country | United States |
State | Illinois |
County | Clark |
Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code(s) | 217 |
GNIS feature ID | 406956 |
Darwin is a small place in Clark County, Illinois, United States. It is called an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that isn't officially governed as a city or town. Darwin is located right next to the Wabash River. This river forms part of the border with the state of Indiana.
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What is Darwin, Illinois?
Darwin is a quiet area in Darwin Township. It sits on the edge of the Wabash River. The river is a natural boundary between Illinois and Indiana. Darwin is not a big city. Instead, it is a small community without its own local government.
A Look Back: Darwin's Early Days
Darwin has a long history. It started in the 1820s. Back then, it was known by a different name: McClare's Bluff. The community began to grow around this time.
Becoming the County Seat
In 1823, Darwin became very important. It was chosen as the county seat for Clark County. A county seat is like the main town for a county. It's where the local government offices are located. The first courthouse for Clark County was built in Darwin in 1827. This building was where important decisions were made.
Moving the County Seat
Darwin remained the county seat for several years. However, things changed in 1837. People in the county voted on where the county seat should be. This vote is called a referendum. As a result of this vote, the county seat moved. It relocated from Darwin to a town called Marshall. After this, Darwin became a quieter community.