Shirley, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley, Illinois
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 Shirley, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Shirley, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | McLean |
| Township | Dale |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.09 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| • Land | 0.09 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 768 ft (234 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 135 |
| • Density | 1,500/sq mi (580/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
61772
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| Area code(s) | 309 |
| GNIS ID | 2804092 |
| FIPS code | 17-69628 |
Shirley is a small community in Illinois, United States. It is located in the southwestern part of McLean County, right next to Interstate 55. Shirley was started in 1854. In 2020, about 135 people lived there. One special place in Shirley is the Funk Prairie Home & Rock Museum.
History of Shirley
The town of Shirley was officially created on September 14, 1866. A man named John M. Foster (1806 – 1898) planned out the town. He was originally from New Hampshire.
Before Shirley became a town, there was already a railroad switch there. A few small areas had also been marked out for building. John Foster built a brick house and a store. These buildings were located south of the railroad tracks.
Early Buildings and Growth
The first part of Shirley had ten small blocks. Most of these blocks were on the north side of the St. Louis Chicago and Alton Railroad.
By 1874, John Foster's home, a store, and the train station were on the south side of the tracks. A warehouse and a mill were on the north side. By 1895, Shirley had grown to include two churches: a Methodist church and a Christian church. There was also a hotel north of the tracks. At that time, about twenty houses were spread out on both sides of the railroad.
