Stelle, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stelle, Illinois
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Stelle subdivision entrance sign
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 Stelle, Illinois
Location in Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Ford County |
| Township | Rogers Township |
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) |
| ZIP code |
60919
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| Area code | 815 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2011616 |
Stelle is a small community in Ford County, Illinois, United States. It is not officially a town or city, but an unincorporated community. In 2013, about 100 people lived there.
Stelle began in the early 1970s as a special kind of neighborhood called an intentional community. This means a group of people planned to live together with shared goals. By 1982, it changed into a regular homeowner's association, which it still is today.
How Stelle Began
Stelle started as a unique village in northeastern Illinois in the early 1970s. A group from Chicago wanted to create a more helpful and environmentally friendly way of living. They bought a farm in Ford County and built a community that looked like a typical suburban area.
For about ten years, Stelle was a private community. Only certain people could live there. Then, most residents decided to open it up. They chose to manage the village through a regular homeowner's association. This meant anyone could move there without special requirements.
After 1982, Stelle became known for its suburban design. Many homes have solar panels to get energy from the sun. The people living there are also very interested in learning new things and working together.
What Makes Stelle Special Today
Stelle has its own telephone company. This company provides phone, television, and internet services to the residents.
The community also has several co-ops, which are groups where people work together and share resources:
- A community garden co-op, where people grow food together.
- A tool co-op, where residents can borrow tools instead of buying their own.
- A Monday night dinner co-op, where people share meals.
Stelle also hosts many educational events. These events are open to everyone, including people from outside the community.
Early Days of Stelle
Stelle was founded in 1973 by a group called the Stelle Group. This group was started by Richard Kieninger, who was a writer and teacher from Chicago. He also helped start another community called Adelphi, Texas.
In the 1950s, Richard Kieninger studied at the Lemurian Fellowship in Ramona, California. There, he learned about a set of beliefs known as “Lemurian Philosophy.”
