Lena, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lena
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Buildings in downtown Lena
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Location of Lena in Stephenson County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Stephenson |
| Township | West Point |
| Founded | 1834 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.65 sq mi (6.87 km2) |
| • Land | 2.65 sq mi (6.87 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,772 |
| • Density | 1,045.64/sq mi (403.71/km2) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
61048
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-42834 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Lena, Illinois |
| Website | http://www.villageoflena.com/ |
Lena is a small village located in Stephenson County, Illinois. In 2020, about 2,772 people lived there. The village was officially planned out in 1853. It was named after a place mentioned in an old poem by Ossian.
Contents
History of Lena
How Lena Began
In 1853, a railroad company was looking for a path for its new train tracks. Benjamin Dornblazer surveyed the area where Lena is now. Samuel F. Dodds, who owned land nearby, bought more land for the railroad. This is where the town of Lena started. At first, there were only two buildings: Dodds' stone house and Dr. F. Voightheld's log home.
Early Growth and Development
The town was planned with twenty-six blocks and 304 housing lots. These lots sold quickly in the summer of 1853. By New Year's Day in 1854, train tracks were laid, and trains started running between Freeport and Warren. Lena's population grew, mostly with people from England and Ireland. By 1854, about a dozen families lived in Lena.
In 1855, a three-story brick building was built. It cost about $4,000 and is still used by local businesses today. Even a financial problem in 1857 didn't stop Lena from growing quickly until 1860.
Community Life and Challenges
After the Civil War, Lena continued to grow. The town's first newspaper, the Lena Star, started in 1867. The newspaper reported on local fires and asked for a town water pump to help fight them. After more fires in 1868, the Lena Water Tower was finally built on May 15, 1868.
By 1870, Lena had 1,295 residents. The Lena Fire Department was created in 1869. Even with the fire department and water tower, fires were still a problem. Several buildings, including a warehouse and the old railway depot, were damaged by fires in the early 1870s.
Lena's Opera House
A local opera house was built in 1879. This building was even featured on the TV show American Pickers in 2010. The Opera House was closed in 1938 but has since been rebuilt.
Today, the radio station WQLF (102.1 FM) is licensed to the village of Lena.
Geography of Lena
Lena is located at 42°22′43″N 89°49′35″W / 42.37861°N 89.82639°W. According to the 2010 census, Lena covers about 2.61 square miles (6.76 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the village limits.
The town is situated on the Illinois Central Railroad. It is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) west of Freeport. Lena is the second-largest town in Stephenson County, after Freeport.
Climate in Lena
| Climate data for Lena, Illinois | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 27 (−3) |
32 (0) |
45 (7) |
57 (14) |
70 (21) |
79 (26) |
82 (28) |
81 (27) |
73 (23) |
61 (16) |
45 (7) |
30 (−1) |
57 (14) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10 (−12) |
16 (−9) |
27 (−3) |
36 (2) |
48 (9) |
57 (14) |
61 (16) |
59 (15) |
50 (10) |
39 (4) |
28 (−2) |
16 (−9) |
37 (3) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.15 (29.2) |
1.40 (35.6) |
2.35 (59.7) |
3.52 (89.4) |
3.81 (96.8) |
4.65 (118.1) |
3.17 (80.5) |
4.35 (110.5) |
3.80 (96.5) |
2.70 (68.6) |
2.69 (68.3) |
1.61 (40.9) |
35.2 (894.1) |
| Source: weather.com | |||||||||||||
Population of Lena
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,294 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,520 | 17.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,270 | −16.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,252 | −1.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,168 | −6.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,149 | −1.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,145 | −0.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,169 | 2.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,227 | 5.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,552 | 26.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,722 | 11.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,295 | 33.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,605 | 13.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,887 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 2,912 | 0.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,772 | −4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
In the 2020 census, Lena had a population of 2,772 people. This means there were about 1,045 people per square mile (403 people per square kilometer). Most residents, about 94.4%, identified as White. A small percentage of the population identified as Black, Asian, Native American, or from other racial backgrounds. About 2.8% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Lena
Students in Lena attend schools within the Lena-Winslow Consolidated School District #202. This district has schools in Lena for all ages, from kindergarten through high school. The Lena-Winslow Panther Football team has won several Class 1A State Championships, including in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022. The Le-Win/Stockton wrestling team also won the IHSA Class 1A State Wrestling Championship in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Notable People from Lena
- Harry Boeke (1883–1936), a businessman and Illinois state senator, was born in Lena.
- Bertha Fowler (1866-1952), known for her work as an educator and preacher.
- Charles N. Fowler, who served as a congressman for New Jersey from 1895 to 1911.
- Joe Lobdell, an offensive lineman who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts in professional football.
Fun Things to Do in Lena
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park: This large state park covers about 715 acres (2.89 square kilometers) and includes Lake Le-Aqua-Na. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
- Wolf Hollow Golf Course
- Stage Coach Golf Course
See also
In Spanish: Lena (Illinois) para niños
