Grafton, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grafton
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The Slaten-LaMarsh House, Downtown Grafton
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| Motto(s):
“Key West of the Midwest”
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Location of Grafton in Jersey County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Jersey |
| Township | Quarry |
| Founded | 1832 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.71 sq mi (9.62 km2) |
| • Land | 3.71 sq mi (9.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 758 ft (231 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 626 |
| • Density | 168.64/sq mi (65.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62037
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-30653 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394943 |
| Website | http://cityofgraftonil.com/ |
Grafton is the oldest city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. It is located where the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers meet. As of 2020, the city had a population of 626 people. Before a big flood in 1993, Grafton had almost 1,000 residents.
Grafton is part of the Metro-East area and the larger Greater St. Louis region.
Contents
History of Grafton
Grafton was founded in 1832 by James Mason, making it the oldest city in Jersey County. People started settling here around 1812, building a blockhouse (a strong fort) for safety where the rivers meet. In 1834, Grafton was a small town with a post office, a store, and a tavern. The city was named after Mason's hometown, Grafton, Massachusetts. Grafton officially became a city on May 16, 1907.
Growth and Industries
Grafton's population grew to about 10,000 people in the 1850s. Many jobs came from local stone quarries, building boats, and commercial fishing. At one point, there were five quarries in or near Grafton, employing almost 2,000 men. The local limestone was used to build famous structures like the Eads Bridge in St. Louis.
Shafer's Wharf Historic District was a major fishing hub along the Mississippi River in the late 1800s. The Old Boatworks building, located south of Main Street, was once a place where paddle wheelers and later PT boats were built. Today, this historic building hosts many antique and craft stalls.
The Great Flood of 1993
The Great Flood of 1993 caused a lot of damage to Grafton. Many buildings were harmed, and about a third of the city's residents moved away. The effects of this flood can still be seen today, and the city's population has not fully recovered.
Geography and Climate
Grafton is located at 38°58′16″N 90°26′13″W / 38.97111°N 90.43694°W.
According to the 2010 census, Grafton covers an area of about 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers), all of which is land.
Grafton's Weather Patterns
Grafton's weather is similar to most Midwest cities. It's in a zone between two climate types: humid continental and humid subtropical. This means there are no large mountains or big bodies of water nearby to make the temperatures milder.
- Spring: This is the wettest season. It can bring severe weather like tornadoes, snow, or ice storms.
- Summer: Summers are hot and humid. The humidity often makes it feel much hotter than 100°F (38°C).
- Fall: Fall is usually mild with less humidity. Sometimes there are heavy rains, and the first light snow usually appears in late November.
- Winter: Winters can be cold with occasional light snow and temperatures below freezing.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 222 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,266 | 470.3% | |
| 1880 | 807 | — | |
| 1890 | 927 | 14.9% | |
| 1900 | 988 | 6.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,116 | 13.0% | |
| 1920 | 949 | −15.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,026 | 8.1% | |
| 1940 | 1,110 | 8.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,117 | 0.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,084 | −3.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,018 | −6.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,024 | 0.6% | |
| 1990 | 918 | −10.4% | |
| 2000 | 609 | −33.7% | |
| 2010 | 674 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 626 | −7.1% | |
| Decennial US Census | |||
As of the census in 2000, there were 609 people living in Grafton. There were 265 households, with 174 of them being families. The population density was about 150 people per square mile (65 people per square kilometer).
In 2000, about 20% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were about 93 males.
Economy and Tourism
Grafton's main industry is tourism. The city is known as "The Winter Home of The Bald Eagle" because many bald eagles come to the area during winter.
Main Street in Grafton has many restaurants, antique shops, craft stores, and wine shops. This makes it a popular stop for:
- Bicyclists on the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.
- Visitors looking for beautiful fall foliage.
- People who want to see bald eagles.
During warmer months, visitors can enjoy the two rivers by boating, canoeing, and parasailing. There are also two river ferries in the Grafton area that take people to St. Charles County, Missouri and Calhoun County. About five miles west of Grafton is Pere Marquette State Park, which is Illinois' largest state park.
Grafton has seen some growth, including new homes, restaurants, the Grafton Elementary School, the Grafton Harbor marina, and a lighthouse along the Mississippi River.
Culture and Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
Grafton has seven places and sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important historical locations.
- The Grafton Historic District
- Grafton Bank
- The John and Amelia McClintock House
- Ruebel Hotel
- The Slaten-LaMarsh House
- The Paris Mason Building
- The Charles Brainerd House
All of these were added to the Register in 1994, except for the Charles Brainerd House, which was added in 1998.
Education in Grafton
Public Schools
Grafton is part of the public K-12 Jersey Community Unit School District 100. The district's school in Grafton is Grafton Elementary School.
Colleges and Universities Nearby
There are also colleges and universities close to Grafton:
Transportation and Services
Getting Around Grafton
Illinois Route 100 runs through the city from west to east. It is part of the Great River Road and the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. Also, Illinois Route 3 starts in Grafton at Illinois Route 100.
Two ferries serve Grafton:
- The Grafton Ferry takes travelers across the Mississippi River to St. Charles County, Missouri.
- The Brussels Ferry takes travelers across the Illinois River to Calhoun County, Illinois.
Utilities and Services
Utility companies that serve Grafton include:
- Ameren (for natural gas and electricity)
- Grafton Telephone (for landline telephone service and internet)
- PC One Cable (for cable television)
Water services are now purchased from another source and are no longer managed by the city.
Famous People from Grafton
- Ed Baecht: A former baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Browns.
- Lambert Redd: A track star from Quincy College and Bradley Polytechnic Institute (now Bradley University) who won a silver medal in the long jump at the 1932 Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Grafton (Illinois) para niños
