Midway, Fulton County, Illinois facts for kids
Midway is a ghost town located in Fulton County, Illinois, in the United States. It's a place where people used to live, but now it's mostly empty. Midway is about 1.45 miles (2.33 km) southeast of a town called London Mills.
Quick facts for kids
Midway, Illinois
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Ghost town
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 Midway, Fulton County, Illinois
Location in Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Fulton |
| Elevation | 610 ft (190 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1802231 |
Contents
What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place where many people once lived, but now very few or no people live there. These towns often have empty buildings and streets. They are like a snapshot of the past.
Why Towns Become Ghost Towns
Towns can become ghost towns for many reasons. Sometimes, a local resource runs out. For example, a mining town might become empty if the mine closes. Other times, new roads or railways bypass a town. This means fewer people visit or pass through.
Changes in jobs or industries can also cause a town to shrink. If the main employer leaves, people move away to find work. Natural disasters, like floods or droughts, can also force people to leave their homes.
Midway's Location in Illinois
Midway is found in Fulton County, which is in the western part of Illinois. It's a rural area, meaning it has lots of farmland and open spaces. The coordinates for Midway are 40°41′55″N 90°14′36″W. This helps pinpoint its exact spot on a map.
Nearby Towns and Features
Midway is close to London Mills. London Mills is a small village that still has people living there. Understanding where Midway is helps us imagine what life might have been like there long ago.
History of Midway
Like many ghost towns, Midway likely started because of a specific reason. Perhaps it was a farming community or a stop along an old trade route. Over time, as things changed, people moved away. The exact history of Midway isn't widely known, but it follows a common pattern for such places.
What Remains Today
Today, there might not be much left of Midway. Sometimes, only old foundations or overgrown roads remain. These small clues tell us that a community once thrived there. Ghost towns remind us that places can change a lot over time.
