Glen Carbon, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glen Carbon, Illinois
Village
Glen Carbon in May 2017
Location in Madison County, Illinois
Glen Carbon, Illinois Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Madison
Townships	Edwardsville, Collinsville, Pin Oak
Founded	1892
Area
• Total	10.37 sq mi (26.86 km2)
• Land	10.26 sq mi (26.56 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2)
Elevation	505 ft (154 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	13,842
• Density	1,349.65/sq mi (521.11/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	62034
Area code(s)	618
FIPS code	17-29639
GNIS feature ID	2398970
Wikimedia Commons	Glen Carbon, Illinois

Glen Carbon is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. It is about 14 miles (23 km) northeast of St. Louis. In 2020, 13,842 people lived there.

History of Glen Carbon

In 1801, Colonel Samuel Judy was one of the first people to settle in Madison County. He received a military grant for 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land. This land was called Goshen Settlement, named after a place in the Bible. Later, it was renamed "Glen Carbon" to honor its history of coal mining.

Glen Carbon became an official village in 1892. Many coal mines operated here until the last one closed in 1934. There was also a brick company, but it burned down twice in the 1930s and was never rebuilt.

People from Glen Carbon served in World War I. A special statue called the Doughboy statue honors two residents who gave their lives. This statue is being considered for a national restoration project.

Three railroads used to serve Glen Carbon. One was the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1992, it became the Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Bike Trail. This was one of the first projects in the U.S. to turn old train tracks into bike paths. The other two lines, Norfolk Southern and Chicago and North Western, stopped running through Glen Carbon in March 2000. The Nickel Plate Bike Trail now follows parts of these old railway paths.

Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum building was first built in 1914. It was known as School Street in the "Old Town" area of Glen Carbon.

Inside the museum, you can see many interesting things:

• Items that show how important railroads and coal mines were.
• Military items from Glen Carbon's veterans.
• A collection of old photographs.
• Baseball items.
• Military items owned by Colin W. Houston, an actor from World War II dramas.
• A collection of stone tools made by Native Americans.

Yanda Log Cabin

The Yanda Log Cabin is another historical site connected to the Heritage Museum. It received a special historical award in 2017. William and Anna Zrala Yanda built the cabin around 1853. They came from Bohemia, Austria, and worked as blacksmiths nearby. The cabin stayed in their family for many years.

In 1989, the cabin was almost used for a fire department training burn. But the Historical and Museum Commission stepped in to save it. The Village of Glen Carbon bought the cabin. Volunteers then helped restore it, and now it is a place for residents to gather.

Geography and Location

Glen Carbon is located in the southwest part of Madison County. Its exact location is 38°45′35″N 89°58′9″W / 38.75972°N 89.96917°W / 38.75972; -89.96917.

It shares borders with several other towns:

• To the north is Edwardsville, which is the county seat.
• To the southeast is Troy.
• To the south is Maryville.
• To the west is Pontoon Beach.

A major highway, Interstate 270, goes through the village. You can get on or off at exits 9 and 12. I-270 goes west about 19 miles (31 km) to Florissant, Missouri. It goes east about 4 miles (6 km) to Interstate 70, which continues east to Vandalia.

Other important roads include Illinois Route 157, which runs through the west side of the village. It goes northeast to Edwardsville and south to Collinsville. Illinois Route 159 passes through the east side, also leading north to Edwardsville and south to Collinsville.

Glen Carbon covers a total area of about 10.37 square miles (26.86 km2). Most of this is land, with about 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) being water. Judys Branch, a small stream, flows through the village and eventually reaches the Mississippi River.

Population Changes

The population of Glen Carbon has grown a lot over the years. In 1900, there were 1,348 people living here. By 2020, the population had grown to 13,842 people. This shows that more and more people have chosen to make Glen Carbon their home.

Parks and Fun Activities

The Village of Glen Carbon has three parks and a special bike trail. The Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail is 11 miles (18 km) long. It was named after a former mayor in 1991. This trail follows the path of the old Illinois Central Railroad. In 2021, historical signs were added along the trail. These signs share information and photos about Glen Carbon's early history.

Miner Park

Miner Park is in the "Old Town" part of Glen Carbon. You can find its entrance between the American Legion Post and the Glen Carbon Centennial Library. This is the main park in the village. It also connects directly to the Nickel Plate Bike Trail, which is 15 miles (24 km) long. This trail follows the old paths of the Chicago & North Western and Norfolk Southern railroads.

At Miner Park, you can find:

• Restrooms
• Barbecue grills
• Quiet areas to watch wildlife
• Different kinds of playground equipment
• Covered pavilions
• A Band stand for special events
• Lighted baseball fields
• A large parking lot
• Basketball courts
• A Concession stand for baseball games
• A sandbox
• Benches
• An old caboose with a signal
• A kiddie play set
• A beautiful entrance with historical signs and colorful flowers
• Tennis courts
• A tetherball pole

Schon Park

Schon Park is the newest park in Glen Carbon, opened in 2013. It has pavilions, benches, a walking trail, and a pond. The park covers 36 acres (15 ha) of land. It is located across from St. Cecelia Church and the Village Hall on Glen Carbon Road. In 2018, work began on the second part of the park. This will add concrete paths, a parking lot, restrooms, and a playground. The final plan for the park includes more bike and walking trails, a baseball field, batting cages, basketball and tennis courts, a splash pad, and a toddler playground.

Things you can find at Schon Park:

• Playground
• Restroom Facility
• Bicycle and walking trails
• Parking Area
• Access to the Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail

Village Hall Park

Village Hall Park is a 3-acre (1.2 ha) park right behind the Village Hall at 151 North Main Street. This park is a main spot for sports and fun activities in Glen Carbon.

At Village Hall Park, you will find:

• Tennis courts
• A lighted baseball field
• A concession stand
• Restrooms
• A playground for younger children
• Covered pavilions

Citizen Park

Citizen Park used to be located behind Fire Station #1. It is now the construction site for the new Fire Station #1. The entrance to the Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail is still open here.

Glen Carbon Centennial Library

In 2002, people in Glen Carbon voted to build a new library. The new 14,000 square foot (1,300 m2) library opened on October 4, 2004. It is on Main Street, next to the town's historic covered bridge. The library has won awards, including being named the "Best Small Library in America" in 2010 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Library Journal.

Education in Glen Carbon

Glen Carbon is part of the Edwardsville Community Unit District 7 School System. This district has elementary, middle, and high schools. It is known as one of the best school districts in Illinois and has been teaching students since 1864.

Glen Carbon is also home to Father McGivney Catholic High School. This school opened in 2012. In 2015, its bass fishing team won its first state championship!

Notable People from Glen Carbon

• Glenn Bradford, an Illinois politician and lawyer.
• A. J. Epenesa, a defensive lineman for the University of Iowa football team.
• Johnny Lucas, an outfielder who played for the Boston Red Sox; he was born in Glen Carbon.

See also

In Spanish: Glen Carbon para niños