Norris City, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norris City
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Location of Norris City in White County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | White |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2) |
| • Land | 1.17 sq mi (3.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 427 ft (130 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,145 |
| • Density | 976.96/sq mi (377.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
62869
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-53403 |
| GNIS ID | 2399506 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Norris City, Illinois |
Norris City is a small village located in White County, Illinois. In 2020, about 1,145 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history and a strong community spirit.
Contents
History of Norris City
Norris City officially became a village in 1901. However, its story began much earlier. The first plans for the town were recorded on August 17, 1871. A post office opened there on May 15, 1871. William A. Johnson was the first Postmaster.
How Norris City Got Its Name
The name of Norris City has been a mystery for many years. Before it was called Norris City, the area had a funny nickname: "Popeye" or "Popeye's Station." This name came from William A. Johnson, the first train station agent. Train workers called him "Popeye" because his eyes stuck out a bit. This was long before the famous cartoon character!
Many stories explain how the village got its current name:
- The Land Story: One idea is that the people of the new village wanted to pick a name. They decided to name it after the family who owned the most land nearby. The Norris family had slightly more land than the Johnson family. So, the village was named Norris City, supposedly after William Norris, the head of the family.
- The Railroad Story: Another story says that the railroad company, which was doing business with William Norris, decided to name the town after him. When William told his wife, Emaline, she didn't think it was a big deal to have a small town named after them.
- The Trainman's Suggestion: A different story involves Thomas Ridgway, the president of a railroad company. He was on a train passing through the area. When he asked what the town was called, a train worker said they called it "Popeye's Station." Mr. Ridgway thought that was not a good name for a town. The trainman then suggested, "Why not name it after me?" His name was said to be John William Norris.
- Named for a Good Cook: Yet another version of the story says the engineer of the train building the tracks stayed at William and Emaline Norris's home. He loved Emaline's cooking. Because of this, he suggested naming the town Norris City, not after William, but after Emaline and her delicious meals! Emaline's grandchildren later shared this story, saying their grandmother always believed the town was named after her.
Even with all these stories, the Illinois State Historical Library says they don't have clear information on how Norris City got its name. It remains a fun local mystery!
Geography and Location
Norris City is located in southern Illinois. It sits at coordinates 37.979816 degrees North and 88.327219 degrees West. The village covers about 1.18 square miles (3.04 square kilometers) of land. Almost all of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
Population and People
Norris City has seen its population change over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 40 | — | |
| 1890 | 223 | 457.5% | |
| 1900 | 868 | 289.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,055 | 21.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,300 | 23.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,109 | −14.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,295 | 16.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,370 | 5.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,243 | −9.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,319 | 6.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,515 | 14.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,341 | −11.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,057 | −21.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,275 | 20.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,145 | −10.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,057 people living in Norris City. Most of the people were White (98.30%). A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from two or more races. About 20.4% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in the village was 41 years.
Local Culture and Events
Norris City is famous for its annual festival called Dairy Days. This popular event happens every year during the fourth Saturday in September. Dairy Days has been a tradition since 1947. The local Lions Club used to organize it. Now, the Dairy Days Association helps put on this fun festival for everyone to enjoy.
Famous People from Norris City
Some notable people were born in or have connections to Norris City:
- Ora Collard: An Illinois state representative and businessman.
- Max Morris: A professional football and basketball player.
- Floyd Newkirk: A pitcher who played for the New York Yankees baseball team.
See also
In Spanish: Norris City (Illinois) para niños
