kids encyclopedia robot

Sugar Island, Illinois facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sugar Island, Illinois
Sugar Island, Illinois is located in Illinois
Sugar Island, Illinois
Sugar Island, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Sugar Island, Illinois is located in the United States
Sugar Island, Illinois
Sugar Island, Illinois
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Illinois
County Kankakee
Township Otto
Elevation
620 ft (190 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total <100
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
GNIS ID 423218

Sugar Island is a small, quiet place in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government.

Sugar Island is located right next to the Iroquois River. The land around the community is very rich and good for farming. The way the community is set up looks like a big rectangle, with streets often forming a grid pattern. Even though Sugar Island is mostly in Kankakee County, part of it is very close to the border of Iroquois County.

Discovering Sugar Island's Location

Sugar Island is found in the northeastern part of Illinois. It's part of Otto Township within Kankakee County. This area is known for its flat lands and important rivers.

Where is Kankakee County?

Kankakee County is in the northeast section of Illinois. It's named after the Kankakee River, which flows through it. The county seat, or main city, is Kankakee. This area has a mix of farms and small towns.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it doesn't have its own separate local government like a city or town. Instead, it's usually governed by the county it's in. This means the county provides services like roads, police, and fire protection.

  • People in unincorporated communities still have neighbors and a sense of community.
  • They pay taxes to the county, which then uses those funds for local services.
  • It's different from a city, which has its own mayor and city council.

Life by the Iroquois River

The Iroquois River plays a big role in the area around Sugar Island. Rivers are important for many reasons, including providing water for farms and homes.

Why is the Soil Fertile?

The soil near the Iroquois River is described as very fertile. This means it's rich in nutrients, making it excellent for growing crops.

  • Rivers often carry nutrient-rich soil, called silt, when they flood.
  • This silt settles on the land, making the ground very good for farming.
  • Fertile soil helps plants grow strong and healthy, which is great for local agriculture.

How is the Community Designed?

Sugar Island is laid out in a rectangular grid. This means its streets are mostly straight and cross each other at right angles, forming squares or rectangles.

  • Grid plans are common in many towns across the United States.
  • They make it easy to navigate and organize land into blocks.
  • This design helps with planning and building homes and businesses.
kids search engine
Sugar Island, Illinois Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.