Hartford, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hartford, Illinois
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Location in Madison County, Illinois
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 Hartford, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Madison |
| Townships | Chouteau, Wood River |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.44 sq mi (14.08 km2) |
| • Land | 5.17 sq mi (13.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.27 sq mi (0.70 km2) |
| Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,185 |
| • Density | 229.38/sq mi (88.57/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62048
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-33279 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2398258 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Hartford, Illinois |
Hartford is a small village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. It is located right on the Mississippi River, close to where the Missouri River flows into it. In 2020, about 1,185 people lived there.
Hartford is famous because Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1803-1804 nearby. This was just before they started their amazing journey to explore the western United States. Today, you can visit the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in the village.
Contents
Exploring Hartford's Location
Hartford is in the western part of Madison County. It's about 15 miles north of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The mighty Mississippi River forms its western border. On the other side of the river are parts of Missouri. The Missouri River joins the Mississippi very close to Hartford.
Nearby Towns and Roads
To the north of Hartford, you'll find the city of Wood River. To the east is the village of South Roxana. To the south, you'll find Granite City.
Main roads like Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 111 pass through or near Hartford. These roads connect the village to other towns like Alton and East St. Louis.
Land and Water Features
Hartford covers about 5.44 square miles. Most of this area is land, but about 0.27 square miles is water. The Cahokia Creek Diversion Channel flows through the southern part of the village. It eventually reaches the Mississippi River at the Lewis and Clark Historic Site.
People Living in Hartford
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,566 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,842 | 17.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,909 | 3.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,355 | 23.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,243 | −4.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,887 | −15.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,676 | −11.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,545 | −7.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,429 | −7.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,185 | −17.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,545 people living in Hartford. The village had 650 households. Most people living there were White (98.45%). A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.71% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average household had about 2.38 people. The median age in the village was 39 years old.
Environmental Concerns
Over the years, several oil refineries have operated in the area around Hartford. This has led to some environmental challenges.
Underground Gas Issues
It's believed that a large amount of gasoline has leaked into the ground under Hartford. This creates an "underground gas plume." Efforts are being made to address this environmental issue.
Chemetco Smelter Cleanup
A company called Chemetco used to operate a copper smelter nearby for about 30 years. It closed in 2001. This company was found to have polluted Long Lake, which connects to the Mississippi River.
After environmental inspectors found a hidden pipe, the area was listed as a Superfund cleanup site in 2010. This means it's a place that needs special cleaning to protect the environment and people's health.
Famous People from Hartford
Hartford is the birthplace of actor Clint Walker. He was known for his role in the TV series Cheyenne. He also appeared in famous movies like The Ten Commandments and The Dirty Dozen.
See also
In Spanish: Hartford (Illinois) para niños
