Spoon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spoon River |
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The Spoon River at the community of Seville in Fulton County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | North of Modena, Stark County 661 ft (201 m) 41°08′45″N 89°46′10″W / 41.14583°N 89.76944°W |
| River mouth | Illinois River Near Havana, Fulton County 442 ft (135 m) 40°18′25″N 90°04′14″W / 40.30694°N 90.07056°W |
| Length | 147 mi (237 km) |
The Spoon River is a river in Illinois, United States. It flows for about 147 miles (237 km). This river is a branch of the Illinois River. It flows through farms and prairies in west-central Illinois. The river is famous because it inspired the name for a fictional town. This town appeared in a poetry book called Spoon River Anthology. The book was written by Edgar Lee Masters in 1916. He grew up near the river.
Contents
Where Does the Spoon River Start and End?
The Spoon River begins with two smaller streams. These are called the West Fork and the East Fork. The West Fork starts near Kewanee in Henry County. The East Fork begins in Bureau County.
How the Forks Join
The East and West forks meet in Stark County. This is about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Kewanee. After they join, the river flows south and southwest. It winds through Stark, Knox, and Fulton counties.
The River's Journey to the Illinois River
The lower part of the Spoon River goes through hilly areas in Fulton County. It passes about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Lewistown. Finally, the Spoon River flows into the Illinois River. This meeting point is near Havana. It is about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Peoria.
Fun Facts About the Spoon River
The Rock Island Trail crosses over the Spoon River. This crossing is about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) northwest of Wyoming, Illinois. It's a great spot for hiking or biking.
The Spoon River's Musical Connection
In 1857, a man named Captain Charles H. Robinson heard a special fiddle tune. He heard it at a dance in Bradford, Illinois. He sent this tune to Edgar Lee Masters. Masters then shared it with a composer named Percy Grainger. Grainger was from Australia and America. He used the tune to create his own music piece. He called his composition "Spoon River." He worked on it from 1919 to 1929. This music has been published for concert bands to play.
