White Heath, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
White Heath
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White Heath Post Office, 2007
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 White Heath
Location in Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Piatt |
| Township | Sangamon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.347 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Land | 0.347 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 702 ft (214 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 290 |
| • Density | 836/sq mi (323/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
61884
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| GNIS ID | 2628564 |
White Heath is a small community in Piatt County, Illinois, United States. It is called a census-designated place because it's a specific area identified by the census bureau. In 2010, about 290 people lived there.
Contents
Where is White Heath Located?
White Heath is found in Sangamon Township. It is about 15 miles west of Champaign, a larger city in Illinois.
A Look Back: White Heath's History
This community was named after two early settlers, Mr. White and Mr. Heath. A special plaque in the local community center tells their story.
Schools in White Heath
White Heath has one school, the White Heath Elementary School. It used to be a junior high school, and its sports teams were known as the Warriors. Today, the school is part of the Monticello Community District School #25.
The Railroad Story
White Heath was first planned out in 1872 by a man named James Deland. He chose this spot because two important early railroads were being built there. These were the Monticello Railroad and the Havana, Mason City, Lincoln & Eastern Railway.
Mr. Deland thought White Heath would grow into a big town because it was a railroad junction. However, it didn't become as large as he expected, so he sold his land. Later, these two pioneer railroads joined together. They eventually became part of the Illinois Central Railroad.
The Monticello Railway Museum Connection
The Monticello Railway Museum bought about 7 miles of the old Illinois Central railroad tracks in 1987. These tracks run between Monticello and White Heath. White Heath is at the very end of the museum's purchased section.
The tracks in White Heath form a special shape called a "wye." This wye allows trains to turn around. The old train station, built in 1942, is still standing. It replaced an even older building. While it's owned by a local person, the museum hopes to use the wye for its trains once the tracks are fully repaired.
Sometimes, the museum uses the tracks to White Heath for its "Railroad Days" event. This event happens every year on the third weekend of September.
Famous People from White Heath
A well-known zoologist, Richard D. Alexander, was born in White Heath in 1929. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals.
See also
In Spanish: White Heath (Illinois) para niños
