Shokokon, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shokokon, Illinois
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 Shokokon, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Shokokon, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| County | Henderson County |
| Township | Carman Township |
| Elevation | 161 m (528 ft) |
| ZIP code |
61425
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| GNIS feature ID | 0418455 |
Shokokon is a small, unincorporated community in Henderson County, Illinois, United States. It is part of Carman Township. An unincorporated community means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government.
Contents
History of Shokokon
How Shokokon Started
Shokokon began in 1836 as a small community right by the Mississippi River. Its name comes from the Sauk and Meskwaki languages, "Shoquoquon," which means "Flint Hills."
A man named Robert McQueen saw that the river was a good way to travel and trade. He planned out a village with sixteen square blocks. For many years, a ferry boat helped people cross the river from Shokokon to Iowa.
Early Influences
In 1843, Joseph Smith, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thought about building another community here. He already had a large group in Nauvoo, nearby.
Smith visited Shokokon several times and spoke to the people living there. However, his plans for a new community were never finished. He became very busy with other issues in the Nauvoo area.
Population Changes
Shokokon never grew very large. Its population stayed under 300 people. When the Santa Fe railroad was built, it went around Shokokon instead of through it. This made the community much smaller.
Local Businesses
By 1869, most of the businesses in Shokokon moved. They wanted to be closer to the new Carthage and Burlington Railroad station in a place called Carman. Today, there are still a few businesses in the township where Shokokon is located.
Shokokon and the Mississippi River
Living by the River
Shokokon is located near Pool 19 of the Mississippi River, also known as Lake Cooper. The area has a complex relationship with the river. A large levee system, which is a wall built to hold back water, is on the opposite side of the township.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers manages the water systems here. They have named this area Henderson County Drainage District #2.
Flooding Challenges
Unfortunately, Shokokon does not have protection from floods. The community has experienced many big floods over the years. In the 21st century alone, there have been five major floods.
The Great Flood of 1993 was especially severe. It left the entire township underwater for months. Because of these floods, some people have built summer homes in Shokokon. These houses are usually built high up to stay dry during most floods.
