Pana, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pana
Town
Nickname(s):  City of Roses
Location of Pana in Christian County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Christian, Shelby
Area
• Total	4.16 sq mi (10.78 km2)
• Land	3.86 sq mi (9.99 km2)
• Water	0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2)
Elevation	679 ft (207 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,199
• Density	1,348.29/sq mi (520.59/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	62557
Area code(s)	217
FIPS code	17-57472
GNIS ID	2396135
Wikimedia Commons	Pana, Illinois

Pana /ˈpeɪnə/ is a small town in Christian County, Illinois, United States. A small part of the town is also in Shelby County. In 2020, about 5,199 people lived there. Pana is sometimes called the City of Roses because it used to have many flower growers.

History of Pana

Tracks and depots of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad in Pana, 1913

The area around Pana was first set up as Stone Coal Precinct in 1845. A "precinct" is a small area for local government. In 1856, these precincts became "townships." So, Stone Coal Precinct became Pana Township, Christian County, Illinois.

In 1857, the village of Pana officially became a town. People believe the name "Pana" came from the Pawnee tribe, who were native to the area. The town grew because it was located where important east-west and north-south railroad lines crossed. It also had plenty of fuel and water for the steam engines used by the trains.

Coal Mining and Community Changes

Pana became a major center for coal mining in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In April 1899, a conflict happened between miners. This event is known as the Pana riot. After the conflict, many miners who had recently moved to Pana decided to leave. About 211 African American miners moved to Weir, Kansas, to work in another mine.

The City of Roses

Pana earned the nickname "City of Roses." Local news reporters, the Jordan Brothers, first used this name. Many large flower shops and growers opened their businesses here. At one point, Pana had 109 greenhouses, which are special buildings for growing plants.

Historic Places in Pana

Two important places in Pana are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kitchell Park was added to the list in 1992. The Louis Jehle House was added in 1995. These places are important for their history and architecture.

Geography and Climate

Pana covers a total area of about 4.16 square miles (10.78 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.86 square miles (9.99 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.31 square miles (0.80 square kilometers), is water.

Pana's Weather Patterns

Pana's Population and People

In 2020, Pana had 5,199 people living in 2,425 households. About 1,320 of these were families. The town had about 1,248 people per square mile.

Most people in Pana are White (95.48%). A smaller number are African American (0.38%), Native American (0.13%), or Asian (0.56%). Some people are from other races or from two or more races. About 0.94% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 27.6% of households had children under 18 living with them. About 34.27% were married couples. Many households (45.57%) were not families. About 37.57% of all households had only one person living there.

The average age in Pana was 39.8 years. About 22.9% of the people were under 18. About 22.9% were 65 years or older. The median income for a household was $47,701. For families, it was $52,935. About 15.4% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Arts and Culture in Pana

Pana hosts several fun events throughout the year. These events bring the community together and celebrate the town's history and spirit.

Pana Heritage Days Festival

The Pana Heritage Days is a yearly festival. It happens during the last weekend of May. Streets are closed off for the event. They fill with many different vendors selling goods and fair rides for everyone to enjoy. Live band music is usually played, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Annual Labor Day Parade

Pana's annual Labor Day Parade is a very popular event. Up to 15,000 people attend, making it one of the largest parades in Illinois. The parade often features special tributes. For example, in 2011, 343 firefighters marched to honor the firefighters, paramedics, and police officers who died on September 11, 2001. In 2022, Pana celebrated its 88th Labor Day Parade.

Tri-County Fair Fun

The Tri-County Fair is held every year for six days. It starts on the Wednesday before Labor Day and ends on Labor Day itself. The fair offers many carnival rides, vendors, and games. About 7,000 people attend the fair each day.

Notable People from Pana

Many interesting people have connections to Pana. Here are a few:

• Nin Alexander (1858–1933), a baseball player.
• Warren Amling (1924–2001), a football and basketball player. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Michael J. Budds (1947–2020), a music expert and writer.
• Howard Graham Buffett (born 1954), an author and helper of good causes. He owns a farm near Pana.
• Thomas Henry Carter (1854–1911), a senator who grew up in Pana.
• Ed Coady (1867–1890), a football player for Notre Dame.
• Pat Coady (1867–1943), also a football player for Notre Dame.
• Mike Cvengros (1900–1974), a baseball pitcher for several teams.
• John Wesley Fribley (1906–2002), a state senator.
• Garet Garrett (1878–1954), a writer and commentator on economics and politics.
• Hector Honore (1905–1983), a race car driver and owner. He was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
• Jeff Keener (born 1959), a baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Dick Klein (1934–2005), an All-Star football player for several teams.
• Albert Marsh (1877–1944), the inventor of chromel, a special metal.
• Vincent Sheean (1899–1975), a war reporter and author.
• Herb Siegert (1924–2008), a former football player for the Washington Redskins.

See also

In Spanish: Pana (Illinois) para niños