Newtown, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Newtown
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 Newtown
Location in Illinois
Newtown
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Vermilion |
| Township | Oakwood |
| Elevation | 728 ft (222 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 217 |
Newtown is a small, unincorporated community located in Illinois, USA. It is found within Vermilion County, specifically in Oakwood Township. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
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Exploring Newtown's Past
Newtown is one of the oldest settlements in Vermilion County. Its name was originally written as two separate words: "New Town."
Early Beginnings
The community was officially planned and mapped out in 1838 by Benjamin Coddington. However, it is believed that Stephen Griffith was the very first person to settle in this area even before 1838.
Post Office and Churches
Newtown's first postmaster was Samuel H. Oakwood. The post office was initially named "Pilot." This caused some confusion because there was also a nearby place called Pilot Township. The post office eventually closed around the year 1900.
One of the first churches in Vermilion County, called Old Bethel, was built in Newtown in 1835. This church served the community until 1873, when a new building was constructed.
Modern Importance
In the mid-1900s, a large coal power station was built in Newtown. This power station cost many millions of dollars to construct. It is considered the main reason why Newtown continues to exist as a community today.
Newtown's Location
Newtown is located in Illinois at specific geographic coordinates: 40 degrees, 10 minutes, 2 seconds North latitude and 87 degrees, 46 minutes, 9 seconds West longitude. This helps pinpoint its exact spot on a map.
