Parker City, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parker City, Illinois
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Former settlement
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 Parker City, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Parker City, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Johnson |
| Founded | Dec. 28, 1889 |
| Elevation | 585 ft (178 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 425308 |
Parker City, also called Parker, was once a small town in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. It is no longer an active settlement.
Parker City was located west of New Burnside and south of Creal Springs. It was founded where two important railroad lines crossed. These were the former Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway and a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. The town was named after George Washington Parker. He was a former president of a railroad company that later became part of a larger one called the Big Four.
What Was Parker City?
Parker City was a small community that grew around the busy railroad crossings. It was officially founded on December 28, 1889. The town served as a hub for people traveling and trading by train.
Life in Parker City
At its busiest time, Parker City had almost 300 people living there. It was a lively place with many businesses. People could find two hotels, two stores, and places to eat. There were also two barbershops that were always busy.
The town also had its own post office. The Parker City Post Office opened on December 28, 1889. It served the community for many years. At its peak, about 40 houses made up Parker City.
The Decline of Parker City
After the 1920s, the town slowly started to get smaller. Fewer people lived and worked there. The Parker City Post Office eventually closed down on October 31, 1941. Over time, Parker City became a former settlement.
