Eldorado, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eldorado
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| City of Eldorado | |
According to the 1945 Film Daily Yearbook, the 500-seat Grand was one of three movie houses in operation at that time, which also included the Orpheum and the Knox. Today the former Grand is used as a meeting place for a fraternal order.
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| Nickname(s):
City of Daffodils
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Location of Eldorado in Saline County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Saline |
| Founded by | Samuel Elder and Joseph Read |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.54 sq mi (6.59 km2) |
| • Land | 2.50 sq mi (6.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 390 ft (120 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,743 |
| • Density | 1,495.41/sq mi (577.32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
62930
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-23009 |
| GNIS ID | 2394639 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Eldorado, Illinois |
Eldorado (/ˌɛldəˈreɪdoʊ, -də/) is a city in Saline County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,743 in 2020. Its population was highest in 1980 with 5,198 people.
The city's name sounds Spanish, but it has a unique origin. It was first called "Eldereado" or "Elder-Reado." This name came from combining the last names of its founders: Judge Samuel Elder and Joseph Read. Legend says a railroad sign painter accidentally spelled it "Eldorado," and the name stuck!
Eldorado is part of the area where Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky meet. It is also a "bedroom community" for the nearby Harrisburg area. This means many people live in Eldorado but work in Harrisburg.
Contents
History of Eldorado
Eldorado was first planned out on May 24, 1858. The first post office opened later that year on December 8. Businesses started to open just before the American Civil War. The original village became an official town in 1870. It was founded by Francis Elder and the brothers William and John Reed.
Railroads and Growth
In its early days, Eldorado was a busy railroad town. It was a meeting point for several important railways. These included the Louisville & Nashville and Cairo & Vincennes lines. Another line, the Belleville & Eldorado Railway, also came through. By 1896, Eldorado had excellent railroad connections. These helped the town grow and connect with other places.
Helping Neighbors
Eldorado has a history of helping nearby communities. In 1937, the city helped people affected by the Ohio River flood of 1937. City Hall offered shelter, and the Red Cross helped provide food. In 2012, when a tornado hit nearby Harrisburg, Eldorado quickly sent emergency aid.
Downtown Changes
Many current and former residents remember growing up in Eldorado fondly. The downtown area was once a lively place for shopping and meeting friends. A popular Ben Franklin store stood for many years. The Dairy Queen was also a favorite spot.
At one time, Eldorado had over 20 grocery stores. Most of these were small neighborhood shops. Over the years, many downtown businesses closed. This was due to job losses, fewer people living in the city, and new businesses opening along the highways.
The former city hall building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place recognized for its history. Eldorado also has four official Historical Markers around town. These markers tell important stories about the city's past.
Coal Mining and Industry
For many years, from the late 1800s until the 1980s, Eldorado was a busy coal mining town. Many people worked in the mines. However, several major mines eventually closed down. Another large employer, Roundy's (a food company), closed in 2005. This caused 170 workers to lose their jobs.
Today, many of the old railroad tracks have been turned into bike paths. Most of the downtown businesses are now gone.
Geography
Eldorado is located at 37°48′51″N 88°26′27″W / 37.81417°N 88.44083°W in Saline County, Illinois. It is in the southeastern part of Southern Illinois. The closest major city is St. Louis, Missouri, which is about 129 miles away. Many residents also do business in Evansville, Indiana (59 miles away) and Paducah, Kentucky (62 miles away).
According to the 2010 census, Eldorado covers about 2.43 square miles (6.29 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
The city is located in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. This area can sometimes have earthquakes. It is also just north of the Cottage Grove Fault System.
Two old pioneer trails, the Kaskaskia and Goshen Trails, met just south of Eldorado. The Goshen Trail started in Old Shawneetown, Illinois. It ran along the east side of Eldorado. The city is also just north of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest.
Climate
Eldorado has a moderate climate.
- Average high temperature: 67.5°F (19.7°C)
- Average low temperature: 45.3°F (7.4°C)
- Average yearly temperature: 56.4°F (13.6°C)
- Average yearly rainfall: 47.46 inches (120.5 cm)
- Average yearly snowfall: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,445 | — | |
| 1910 | 3,366 | 132.9% | |
| 1920 | 5,004 | 48.7% | |
| 1930 | 4,482 | −10.4% | |
| 1940 | 4,891 | 9.1% | |
| 1950 | 4,500 | −8.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,573 | −20.6% | |
| 1970 | 3,876 | 8.5% | |
| 1980 | 5,198 | 34.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,536 | −12.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,534 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 4,122 | −9.1% | |
| 2020 | 3,743 | −9.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 4,122 people living in Eldorado. There were 1,796 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,044 of these were families.
Most people in Eldorado are White (97.3%). A small number are African American (0.8%), Native American (0.2%), or Asian (0.1%). About 1.1% of people are of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up 1.3% of the population.
The average age in Eldorado was 43 years old. About 83% of people aged 25 and over have graduated from high school. Many have also attended college or earned degrees.
Homes in Eldorado
In 2010, the typical home in Eldorado was valued at $45,900. More than half of the homes were valued under $50,000. There were 1,855 housing units in the city. Most of these homes (87.1%) were occupied. About 69% of occupied homes were owned by the people living in them. The other 31% were rented. The average rent was $619 per month.
Many homes in Eldorado are older. About 28.9% of them were built before 1939.
Media
Eldorado used to have the smallest daily newspaper in Illinois. This was the Eldorado Daily Journal. However, it now publishes only three days a week. This change happened because fewer people were buying the paper and advertising. The Journal had been a daily paper since 1911.
Local television stations include:
- WSIL channel 3 (ABC)
- WPSD channel 6 (NBC)
- KFVS channel 12 (CBS)
- WSIU channel 8 (PBS)
- KBSI channel 23 (FOX)
The closest local radio stations are based in nearby Harrisburg. These include WEBQ AM 1240 (Country music) and WEBQ FM 102.3 (Adult Contemporary music).
Education
Eldorado's elementary school system combined several schools in 1979. Now, students from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade attend Eldorado Elementary. Eldorado Middle School serves grades 6–8. Eldorado High School is for grades 9–12. The high school's mascot is the Eagles.
At the start of the 2018–2019 school year, there were 1,157 students in Eldorado's schools. The middle school and high school were recognized as "commendable schools" in 2018.
Just south of Eldorado is Southeastern Illinois College. This is a junior college where students can earn a two-year degree. The closest major university is Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Fun Things to Do
In downtown Eldorado, you can see several colorful murals painted on old buildings. These artworks were created by local artists Phyllis Finnie and Zettie Shults.
Eldorado also hosts an annual festival called Town & Country Days. It takes place every third weekend in September.
Just south of Eldorado, there are amazing places to visit:
- The Shawnee National Forest offers beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.
- The Garden of the Gods has unique rock formations.
- Cave-in-Rock is about 32 miles southeast. It features a large cave along the Ohio River.
- Glen O. Jones Lake is a short drive away. It is a popular spot for fishing.
Sports
Eldorado High School holds some impressive records in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Basketball star Mike Duff is famous for his scoring. He ranks high for career points and points in a single season. He also has one of the highest scoring averages in a season. In baseball, the team holds a record for most consecutive wins at home.
In December 1977, a sad event occurred. Former Eldorado basketball stars Mike Duff and Kevin Kingston died in a plane crash. They were members of the Evansville Aces basketball team. The high school gymnasium was renamed in their memory.
George Harrison's First U.S. Gig
Eldorado has a special place in music history! It was the location of George Harrison's first performance in America. On September 28, 1963, George Harrison played with a local band called The Four Vests. This happened at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Eldorado.
This was five months before The Beatles became famous in the United States. At the time, George and his brother were visiting their sister, Louise. She had moved to nearby Benton. About 75 people watched George Harrison perform that evening. This was the first time a Beatle played music in the United States!
Notable Residents
- Todd Duffee, a mixed martial artist
- David D. Phelps, a former U.S. Congressman
- William David Sanders, known as Dave Sanders, a teacher who saved many students during the Columbine High School massacre
- Maryanne Wolf, a professor of neuroscience and author
See also
In Spanish: Eldorado (Illinois) para niños
