Marissa, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marissa
Village
Flag Logo
Location of Marissa in St. Clair County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	St. Clair
Area
• Total	7.94 sq mi (20.57 km2)
• Land	7.21 sq mi (18.68 km2)
• Water	0.73 sq mi (1.88 km2)
Elevation	413 ft (126 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,833
• Density	254.09/sq mi (98.10/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	62257
Area code(s)	618
FIPS code	17-46955
GNIS feature ID	2399258
Wikimedia Commons	Marissa, Illinois

Marissa is a small village located in St. Clair County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,833 people lived there. It's a friendly place with a rich history, especially known for its coal mining past.

History of Marissa

Before the 1700s, different Native American tribes lived in the Marissa area. These included the Kaskaskias, Peorias, and Tamaroas. A settlement once existed south of Marissa Cemetery, where many old tools and items have been found. There are also signs of an old trail used by tribes traveling east and west.

Early Settlers and Forts

French hunters and trappers were some of the first Europeans to visit the area in the early 1700s. One of them, Elexe Doza, gave his name to a nearby creek. The first permanent settlers arrived around 1805. John Lively and his family moved from South Carolina and built a log cabin. More families followed over the next few years.

As more settlers arrived, conflicts with Native American tribes sometimes happened. To stay safe, settlers built small wooden forts. One fort was built near Doza Creek. Illinois became a state in 1818. The first elementary school in the area opened in 1831, helping children learn and grow.

Coal Mining in Marissa

Starting in the late 1800s, coal mining became a very important industry in Marissa. People mined steam coal from the ground. Even today, much of the coal dug up here is used to make electricity. This industry has played a big part in the village's history and economy.

Geography of Marissa

Marissa is located at 38°14′46″N 89°45′10″W / 38.24611°N 89.75278°W / 38.24611; -89.75278. It covers a total area of about 3.52 square miles (9.12 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.35 square miles (8.68 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers), is water.

Population Information

The population of Marissa has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 1,979 people living in the village. By 2020, the population was 1,833. This information helps us understand how the village has grown and changed.

Traditions and Events

Marissa has some fun traditions that bring the community together.

Marissa Coal Festival

The Marissa Coal Festival happens every year on the second weekend of August. The festival starts on Friday evening and lasts until Sunday night. A special event is the crowning of the Festival Queen. On Sunday afternoon, there's also a parade that begins at 4:00 PM. It's a great way to celebrate the village's history and community spirit.

Toast of Marissa

The "Toast of Marissa" is an annual wine tasting event held in November. The Marissa Chamber of Commerce and local wineries organize it. Activities include a 5k Grape Stomp Run, where people run and then stomp grapes. There's also a Grape Stomp contest and a Cookie Bake-off, making it a sweet and active event for everyone.

Notable People from Marissa

Marissa has been home to several notable people who have achieved great things.

• Warren Hacker: A professional baseball pitcher who played for teams like the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
• Robert S. Hamilton: (1865-1940) An Illinois state senator and a lawyer.
• Bob Heil: (born October 5, 1940) A famous sound and radio engineer. He is known for creating the modern sound systems used in rock music.

See also

In Spanish: Marissa (Illinois) para niños