Hennepin, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hennepin
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The Putnam County Courthouse
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Location of Hennepin in Putnam County, Illinois.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Putnam |
| Township | Hennepin |
| Incorporated | February 13, 1837 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.66 sq mi (14.66 km2) |
| • Land | 5.31 sq mi (13.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.35 sq mi (0.92 km2) 6.39% |
| Elevation | 503 ft (153 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 769 |
| • Density | 144.90/sq mi (55.95/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
61327
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| FIPS code | 17-34098 |
| Website | http://www.villageofhennepin.com |
Hennepin is a small village located in Putnam County, Illinois, United States. It sits right on the Illinois River. In 2020, about 769 people lived there.
Hennepin is the main town, or county seat, of Putnam County. It is also the second largest village in the county. The village is part of the wider Ottawa area, which is a "Micropolitan Statistical Area." This means it's a smaller city area with a population center and nearby communities that are connected.
Contents
History of Hennepin
The village of Hennepin was named after a famous explorer, Father Louis Hennepin. He was a priest and explorer who traveled through North America a long time ago.
The Oldest Courthouse
Hennepin is home to the Putnam County Courthouse. This building was built in 1837. It's special because it's the oldest county courthouse in Illinois that is still used for its original purpose today!
A very important person, Abraham Lincoln, even visited this courthouse. He came to campaign for a Congressional seat in September 1845. The courthouse is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings that are important to the history of the country.
Geography and Climate
Hennepin is located in a part of Illinois that experiences all four seasons.
Understanding Hennepin's Weather
The weather in Hennepin changes throughout the year. Here's a quick look at the average temperatures and rainfall:
| Climate data for Hennepin, Illinois (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 32.3 (0.2) |
37.1 (2.8) |
50.1 (10.1) |
63.5 (17.5) |
73.7 (23.2) |
81.7 (27.6) |
84.5 (29.2) |
82.9 (28.3) |
77.1 (25.1) |
65.2 (18.4) |
49.9 (9.9) |
36.7 (2.6) |
61.2 (16.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 24.6 (−4.1) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
40.1 (4.5) |
52.0 (11.1) |
62.5 (16.9) |
71.6 (22.0) |
74.5 (23.6) |
72.7 (22.6) |
65.8 (18.8) |
54.1 (12.3) |
41.1 (5.1) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
51.4 (10.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 16.8 (−8.4) |
20.1 (−6.6) |
30.1 (−1.1) |
40.5 (4.7) |
51.3 (10.7) |
61.4 (16.3) |
64.5 (18.1) |
62.4 (16.9) |
54.5 (12.5) |
43.0 (6.1) |
32.3 (0.2) |
21.8 (−5.7) |
41.6 (5.3) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.95 (50) |
1.80 (46) |
2.46 (62) |
3.85 (98) |
4.76 (121) |
4.55 (116) |
3.89 (99) |
3.77 (96) |
3.45 (88) |
3.31 (84) |
2.60 (66) |
2.19 (56) |
38.58 (982) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
- Winter (December-February): It gets cold, with average high temperatures around freezing. There's usually some snow.
- Spring (March-May): Temperatures start to warm up, and there's more rain.
- Summer (June-August): Summers are warm and humid, with the highest temperatures in July and August.
- Fall (September-November): The weather cools down again, and the leaves change color.
Population and People
Hennepin has seen its population change over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 623 | — | |
| 1890 | 574 | −7.9% | |
| 1900 | 523 | −8.9% | |
| 1910 | 451 | −13.8% | |
| 1920 | 377 | −16.4% | |
| 1930 | 312 | −17.2% | |
| 1940 | 396 | 26.9% | |
| 1950 | 312 | −21.2% | |
| 1960 | 391 | 25.3% | |
| 1970 | 535 | 36.8% | |
| 1980 | 716 | 33.8% | |
| 1990 | 669 | −6.6% | |
| 2000 | 707 | 5.7% | |
| 2010 | 757 | 7.1% | |
| 2020 | 769 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2020 census, there were 769 people living in Hennepin. The village is home to many different kinds of families and individuals.
Local Economy and Businesses
Hennepin's location has always made it a good place for businesses. Being on the Illinois River, near major roads, and close to a railroad helps transport goods easily. This has attracted both small local businesses and larger industries.
Past Industries
- Steel Mill: A large steel mill, first known as J&L Steel, operated in Hennepin. It employed many people. Over time, it changed owners and became part of ArcelorMittal. Sadly, the mill closed in 2009, and the large plant was taken down in 2017. The land is now mostly empty, but people hope another industry might use it in the future.
- Power Plant: The Hennepin Power Station, which used coal to make electricity, was located near the village. It stopped operating in 2019.
Current Businesses
Even with the closure of the steel mill and power plant, Hennepin still has important industries.
- Grain Elevators: Companies like Cargill, ADM, and CGB have grain elevators in the area. These are big buildings used to store grain from local farms.
- Ethanol Plant: Marquis Energy opened a large ethanol plant in 2008. This plant makes ethanol, which is a type of alcohol often used as fuel, especially in cars.
Landmarks and Attractions
Hennepin has several interesting places to visit and learn about.
- Edward Pulsifer House: This historic house is now a museum. It is also the main office for the Putnam County Historical Society.
- Putnam County Historical Society's Agriculture Museum: This museum teaches visitors about the history of farming in the area.
- Putnam County Courthouse (Illinois): As mentioned, this historic courthouse is a key landmark.
- Dixon Waterfowl Refuge: Located just south of Hennepin, this is a special wetland area. It is privately managed and provides a home for many different kinds of waterfowl (birds that live near water).
Notable People from Hennepin
Some interesting people have connections to Hennepin:
- Albert W. Durley: He was born near Hennepin and later became a lawyer and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- John Wesley Powell: He was a teacher and superintendent of schools in Hennepin. He also served as an Army second lieutenant during the Civil War.
See also
In Spanish: Hennepin para niños
