Knoxville, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Knoxville, Illinois
City
Nickname(s):  K-ville
Location of Knoxville in Knox County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Knox
Township	Knox
Founded	1831
Founded by	James Knox
Area
• Total	2.35 sq mi (6.09 km2)
• Land	2.35 sq mi (6.09 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	764 ft (233 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,901
• Density	1,234.47/sq mi (476.71/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	61448
Area code(s)	309
FIPS code	17-40416
GNIS feature ID	2395558
Wikimedia Commons	Knoxville, Illinois

Knoxville is a small city located in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,901 people lived there. It is part of the larger Galesburg area.

Exploring Knoxville: What to See

Knoxville is found just southeast of the city of Galesburg. It has a public square in the middle of town. This square is surrounded by many old and important buildings.

Historic Buildings and Fairgrounds

You can find Knox County's first courthouse and the city hall here. There is also the Ball log cabin and the town gallows. The Knox County Fairgrounds are just north of Knoxville. The annual Knox County Fair is held here every August.

Getting Around Knoxville

Knoxville is easy to reach from Interstate 74. There are two exits for the city. U.S. Highway 150 runs through Knoxville. It is the main street for businesses. Illinois Highway 97 and Knox County Highway 8 also enter the city. The Knoxville Cemetery is in the northern part of town.

Local Attractions and Events

Some fun things to see in Knoxville include its historic buildings. You can also visit Walnut Grove Farm and the Rattle Toes exhibit. In October, the annual Knox County Scenic Drive takes place. This event lets you enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery.

Knoxville's Rich History

Knoxville has a long and interesting history. It was founded on January 15, 1831. At first, it was called Henderson. Its name changed to Knoxville on December 22, 1832. This was when it became the county seat. It is one of the oldest towns in Knox County. It was also one of the first ten towns to become an official municipality in Illinois.

The County Seat and Old Buildings

Knoxville was the county seat until 1873. Then, the county seat moved to Galesburg. The first Knox County Courthouse was finished in 1839. The second Knox County jail was completed in 1845. Both of these old buildings are still standing in Knoxville. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

These two buildings have been restored. Knoxville's first general store, the Sanburn Log Cabin, was built in 1832. It has also been restored. All three are open for people to visit. The county's Hall of Records, built in 1854, is now used as Knoxville's City Hall.

The Sanburn Log Cabin Story

The log cabin of John G. Sanburn was a hidden gem. It was not found until many years after he died. In 1832, Sanburn came to Knoxville to open the first shop. This shop also served as the first post office. He was a very busy person! He was the first county clerk, circuit clerk, and probate judge. He was also a shopkeeper and postmaster.

Years later, a house built around Sanburn's cabin was being taken down. A curious neighbor saw the old log structure underneath. They told the authorities about it. The owner of the property, Bernice LaFollette, then gave the cabin to the city. It became a museum.

Inside the Sanburn Cabin

Typical log cabins like Sanburn's were about 14 feet by 14 feet wide. They were about 7 to 8 feet high. They used strong 9-inch walnut logs. The doors had wooden hinges. The roof was made of clapboard shingles. The entire area of Sanburn's cabin was used as a kitchen when it was inside another home.

In 1964, the cabin was restored. This made it more secure and insulated. Sanburn did not have these comforts in the 1830s. The restoration added glass windows. It also used cement to seal the spaces between the logs. Before, clay and hay were used.

The cabin now has items from the old general store on display. There is also a picture of an 1852 penny. This penny was found in the foundation when the house was moved. The John G. Sanburn Log Cabin is cared for by the Knox County Historic Sites. You can visit it during the first two weekends in October. It is also open on Sundays from May to September.

Abraham Lincoln's Visit

Abraham Lincoln once stayed in Knoxville. This was in 1858. He was on his way to a famous debate. He debated Stephen A. Douglas at Knox College. The hotel where Lincoln stayed is no longer there. But a special plaque on the building now at that spot remembers his visit.

Knoxville's Location

Knoxville is located at 40°54′27″N 90°16′58″W / 40.90750°N 90.28278°W / 40.90750; -90.28278. This means it is in the northern part of the United States. According to the 2010 census, Knoxville covers about 2.32 square miles (6.01 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.

People of Knoxville

Knoxville has been home to many people over the years. Here is how the population has changed:

In 2000, there were 3,183 people living in Knoxville. There were 1,210 households. About 33.2% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.45 people. The average family had 2.89 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 23.7% were under 18 years old. About 22.2% were 65 years or older. The average age was 42 years.

Famous People from Knoxville

Many interesting people have come from Knoxville. Here are a few:

• Charles C. Craig – A judge and politician.
• Justina Ford – A doctor.
• Armando Ghitalla – A trumpet player for the Boston Symphony.
• Justin Hartley – An actor known for TV shows like This Is Us.
• James Knox – A member of Congress.
• Ernest de Koven Leffingwell – An explorer.
• John E. Raker – A politician.
• James Knox Taylor – An architect.
• Charles R. Walgreen – The person who started Walgreens stores.
• Matt Wilson – A famous jazz drummer.
• Polly Wolfe – A Major League Baseball player.

See also

A friendly robot

• In Spanish: Knoxville (Illinois) para niños