Watseka, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Watseka
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Old Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka
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Location of Watseka in Iroquois County, Illinois.
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 Watseka
Location in Iroquois County, Illinois
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| County | Iroquois |
| Township | Belmont, Middleport |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.94 sq mi (7.63 km2) |
| • Land | 2.94 sq mi (7.63 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,679 |
| • Density | 1,589.33/sq mi (613.59/km2) |
| ZIP Code |
60970
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-79228 |
| Website | www.watsekacity.org |
Watseka is a city in Illinois, United States. It is the main city, also known as the county seat, of Iroquois County. Watseka is about 15 miles (24 km) west of the border between Illinois and Indiana. You can find it along U.S. Route 24.
In 2020, about 4,679 people lived in Watseka.
Contents
History of Watseka
Watseka became a city in 1865. Its name, "Watseka," comes from the Potawatomi language. It means "Daughter of the Evening Star." This was the name of Watch-e-kee, who was married to an early settler named Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard.
The Old Iroquois County Courthouse
The Old Iroquois County Courthouse was built in 1866. More parts were added in 1881 and 1927. In the early 1960s, a kind resident named Mrs. Katherine Clifton left money and land in her will for a new courthouse. This new courthouse is special because it was built completely with private money, which means no government funds were used. It is the only courthouse in the United States built this way.
After the new courthouse was built, the old one was put up for sale and wasn't used for a while. But in 1967, during Watseka's 100th birthday celebration, a group called the Iroquois County Historical Society was formed. They asked people to sign papers to save the Old Courthouse from being sold. The county leaders agreed, and the Old Courthouse became a museum that same year. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Geography of Watseka
Watseka is located near the middle of Iroquois County. It sits where U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 1 meet. The Iroquois River flows along the north side of the city. Sugar Creek joins the Iroquois River on the west side of town.
The southern part of Watseka is in Belmont Township. The northern part is in Middleport Township. Watseka covers an area of about 2.94 square miles (7.63 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Watseka's Climate
Watseka has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. The hottest month is usually July, and the coldest is January. It gets rain throughout the year, with more rain in the spring and summer months. Snowfall is common in winter.
People of Watseka
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,551 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,507 | −2.8% | |
| 1890 | 2,017 | 33.8% | |
| 1900 | 2,505 | 24.2% | |
| 1910 | 2,476 | −1.2% | |
| 1920 | 2,817 | 13.8% | |
| 1930 | 3,144 | 11.6% | |
| 1940 | 3,744 | 19.1% | |
| 1950 | 4,235 | 13.1% | |
| 1960 | 5,219 | 23.2% | |
| 1970 | 5,294 | 1.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,543 | 4.7% | |
| 1990 | 5,424 | −2.1% | |
| 2000 | 5,670 | 4.5% | |
| 2010 | 5,255 | −7.3% | |
| 2020 | 4,679 | −11.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 4,679 people living in Watseka. There were 2,384 households, which are groups of people living together in one home.
Most people in Watseka are White (about 86.73%). There are also people who are African American (1.65%), Native American (0.38%), Asian (0.66%), and from other backgrounds. About 7.91% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
About 17.2% of the people in Watseka are under 18 years old. About 23.3% are 65 years old or older. The average age of people in Watseka is 49 years old.
Famous People from Watseka
Many interesting people have come from Watseka:
- Fern Andra (1893–1974) was a circus performer and actress who also directed early movies.
- Henry Bacon (1866–1924) was a famous architect. He designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C..
- P.C. Cast is a popular author who writes young adult books, like the House of Night series.
- Rex Everhart (1920–2000) was an actor known for his voice work, including being the voice of Maurice in the 1991 movie Beauty and The Beast.
- Curtis Painter (born 1985) played as a quarterback in the NFL for teams like the Indianapolis Colts.
- Sam Rice was a Hall of Fame baseball player who won the 1924 World Series.
See also
In Spanish: Watseka (Illinois) para niños
