Velma, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Velma, Illinois
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 Velma, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Velma, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Christian |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 217 |
| GNIS feature ID | 423275 |
Velma is a small, unincorporated community located in Christian County, Illinois, United States. It is not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it is a collection of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county. Velma is found at the coordinates 39°30′53″N 89°13′57″W / 39.51472°N 89.23250°W.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Velma does not have its own separate government. This means it does not have a mayor or a town council. Services like roads, police, and fire protection are usually provided by the county government.
Velma's Location in Illinois
Velma is situated in the central part of Illinois. This state is known for its flat farmlands and important cities like Chicago. Christian County, where Velma is located, is a rural area.
The Story Behind Velma's Name
Velma got its unique name from a man named Hiram Shumway. He was the first postmaster in the community. In 1894, when a post office was first set up there, he decided to name the place after his daughter, Velma.
The Short-Lived Post Office
The post office in Velma did not stay open for very long. It was established in 1894, but it closed down just three years later, in 1897. This means that for most of its history, Velma has not had its own local post office.
