34-457: Gibson City is a city in Ford County, Illinois , United States. The population was 3,475 at the 2020 census. The site of Gibson City was purchased and platted by Jonathan B. Lott in 1869. In 1870, Lott built a home and a post office there, and several stores and a grain elevator were constructed. Lott named the place Gibson after the maiden name of his wife, Margaret Gibson Lott, and City
68-465: A female householder with no husband present, and 47.32% were non-families. 44.92% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 2.05. The city's age distribution consisted of 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
102-806: A long train ride, Taft delivered a speech in the Pells Park Pavilion in favor of U.S. entry into the newly formed League of Nations . Taft's appearance is a testament to the Paxton Chautauqua , which was held in Pells Park from 1905 to 1930, attracting musicians, speakers and entertainment from all over the United States. Taft is one of four U.S. Presidents to visit Ford County, joining William McKinley ( Gibson City in 1897), Richard Nixon ( Melvin as vice president in 1957), and Gerald Ford (Melvin in 1974). From 1865 to 2007,
136-510: A population of 13,534. Its county seat is Paxton . Ford County was part of the Champaign – Urbana , IL Metropolitan Statistical Area until 2018, when the Office of Management and Budget removed the county from the area. Ford County was formed February 17, 1859, making it Illinois's "newest" county. It was created at the behest of some residents of Vermilion County , who complained to
170-467: A total area of 2.36 square miles (6.11 km), of which 2.32 square miles (6.01 km) (or 98.47%) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) (or 1.53%) is water. As of the 2020 census there were 3,475 people, 1,585 households, and 835 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,474.33 inhabitants per square mile (569.24/km). There were 1,664 housing units at an average density of 705.98 per square mile (272.58/km). The racial makeup of
204-470: Is also served by the Ford County Record based in nearby Paxton . WGCY is an FM station licensed to Gibson City Broadcasting at a frequency of 106.3 MHz. Its programming consists of easy listening music and local high school sports. Ford County, Illinois Ford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois . According to the 2020 United States Census , it had
238-483: Is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ) (or 0.23%) is water. Paxton is directly served by three major highways (I-57, U.S. Route 45, and Illinois Route 9), the Illinois Central Railroad, and a municipal airport with a 3,500 feet (1,100 m) landing strip. As of the 2020 census there were 4,450 people, 1,663 households, and 1,075 families residing in the city. The population density
272-520: Is one of the state's most consistently Republican counties; since its 1859 organization it has voted for Republican presidential candidates in all but two elections. In 1912, the GOP was mortally divided and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt carried the county over the more conservative official nominee William Howard Taft ; in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt in
306-516: The 2010 United States Census , there were 14,081 people, 5,676 households, and 3,798 families living in the county. The population density was 29.0 inhabitants per square mile (11.2/km ). There were 6,282 housing units at an average density of 12.9 per square mile (5.0/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of
340-599: The General Assembly that they lived too far from the county seat . Ford County was named after Thomas Ford , the Governor of Illinois from 1842 to 1846. According to the US Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 486 square miles (1,260 km ), of which 486 square miles (1,260 km ) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km ) (0.1%) is water. In recent years, average temperatures in
374-550: The LaFayette, Muncie and Bloomington Railroad , was built through Gibson City in 1874. In the same year, one of the railroads signed a contract that paid Augustana College , located in Paxton at the time, a commission of $ 1 per acre on all railroad land sold to Swedish settlers. In 1883, a fire in the town caused $ 50,000 ($ 1,500,000 in 2023 dollars) in property damage. According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Gibson City has
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#1732787220462408-706: The Paxton Daily Record was published in Paxton, making the paper one of the longest-running daily newspapers of its size in the state of Illinois. Today, the Ford County Chronicle , a digital publication managed by the former paper's staff, continues to publish local news, sports and other event information. Due to Paxton having the highest elevation points in the area, the Illinois Central Railroad dug out ground so that
442-400: The county seat of Ford County, Illinois , United States. The population was 4,450 at the 2020 census. The town was initially named Prairie City in the late 1840s, then Prospect City by an Illinois Central Railroad official in 1855. However, as Wilbur W. Sauer says that residents noted the town was "all prospect and no city." In 1859, it was renamed for Sir Joseph Paxton , architect of
476-547: The poverty line , including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over. Illinois State Highways 9 , 47 , and 54 intersect on the edge of Gibson City. The Norfolk Southern Wabash line runs through Gibson City. The town's former newspaper was the Gibson City Courier , published from February 21, 1874 until December 30, 2015. The Courier was last owned by The Pantagraph out of Bloomington after being locally owned for several decades. Gibson City
510-464: The 2002 general election. President Gerald Ford visited Ford County on October 24, 1974, to mark the retirement of Congressman Leslie C. Arends of Melvin who served in Congress for 40 years, including over 30 years as Republican Minority Whip . 40°35′N 88°13′W / 40.59°N 88.22°W / 40.59; -88.22 Paxton, Illinois Paxton is a city in and
544-759: The Buckley-Loda Rockets district in 1990 formed the current Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District, known as the PBL Panthers. The school is a member of the IESA and IHSA for interscholastic sports and activities. The Ford County Courthouse in Paxton was built in 1906, and boasts many murals painted by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. On June 22, 1919, former President William Howard Taft visited Paxton while on his way to Champaign . After disembarking from
578-626: The Courthouse, it will be turned into a museum. Another local building on the National Register of Historic Places is the Paxton Carnegie Library , which was built in 1903. The community has many homes built in the late 19th century, some of which are now part of an historic homes walking tour. Many of the home owners have won awards from various preservation and restoration societies for their efforts in maintaining
612-527: The Crystal Palace , who was a major shareholder in the Illinois Central Railroad, which in 1856 was the longest span of railroad in the world ( Chicago to Cairo ). It was rumored that Paxton was interested in organizing an English settlement in Illinois. The colony never materialized, but the town kept the name. Founded in 1859, Paxton celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2009. Augustana College
646-642: The Historic Brick Water Tower & Ford County Historical Society Museum, which opened on July 4, 2007. The 80-foot (24 m) tall brick water tower was built in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The Paxton Foundation, a local historical preservation group, is currently restoring the Old Ford County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, built in 1871. Located on West State Street adjacent to
680-416: The age of 18 living with them, 49.07% were married couples living together, 13.41% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.36% were non-families. 33.61% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.89% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 2.34. The city's age distribution consisted of 26.1% under
714-462: The age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 51,716, and the median income for a family was $ 71,359. Males had a median income of $ 47,169 versus $ 28,233 for females. The per capita income for
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#1732787220462748-488: The architectural heritage of these important landmarks. The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce and PRIDE in Paxton, a member of the Illinois Main Street Program, currently promote local businesses and events in the historic downtown district. According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Paxton has a total area of 3.04 square miles (7.87 km ), of which 3.04 square miles (7.87 km ) (or 99.77%)
782-401: The city was 92.37% White , 0.78% African American , 0.09% Native American , 0.81% Asian , 0.00% Pacific Islander , 1.15% from other races , and 4.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.31% of the population. There were 1,585 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.01% were married couples living together, 9.59% had
816-512: The city, including with nearby Champaign , IL. Ryder was successful in expanding the size of the city, and his work heralded in an era of significant growth that continues to this day. Both the Gilman, Clinton and Springfield Railroad and the Chicago and Paducah Railroad reached the town in 1871, allowing its population to grow. Gibson City was incorporated as a village in 1872. A third railroad,
850-673: The county seat of Paxton have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.40 inches (36 mm) in February to 4.38 inches (111 mm) in May. As of
884-543: The first of his four campaigns became and has remained the only Democrat to carry Ford County. Since 1968 no Democratic presidential candidate has topped 36% of the county's vote, and since the county first formed only three Democrats – all in landslide national victories – have managed 40% of Ford County's votes. After the Libertarian Party's success in the 1998 election for Ford County Sheriff and other countywide offices, it achieved established party status . At
918-426: The population. In terms of ancestry, 35.7% were German , 15.5% were Irish , 13.6% were American , and 10.4% were English . Of the 5,676 households, 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.1% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
952-399: The railroad could move at the same elevation, but underneath the city of Paxton. When the railroad was cut (around the 1920s), several bridges were built across the railroad to connect the east and west sides of Paxton. Presently, there are three vehicular bridges, which are located at Holmes Street, Pells Street and Patton Street, and a pedestrian bridge at Orleans Street. The town also hosts
986-643: The time this made Ford County the only county in Illinois with three established parties. Due to its second place showing over the then-dormant Democratic Party in that election, the Libertarians received the minority party's seat on the Board of Review and one of the five seats on the Sheriff's Merit Commission. This status was lost by 2002 after the Libertarian Party failed to field any candidates in
1020-483: Was 1,462.37 inhabitants per square mile (564.62/km ). There were 1,999 housing units at an average density of 656.92 per square mile (253.64/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 90.16% White , 0.83% African American , 0.31% Native American , 0.31% Asian , 0.00% Pacific Islander , 1.75% from other races , and 6.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% of the population. There were 1,663 households, out of which 31.7% had children under
1054-470: Was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 42.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 48,667 and the median income for a family was $ 62,819. Males had a median income of $ 43,849 versus $ 30,136 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 23,401. About 5.4% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over. Ford County
Gibson City, Illinois - Misplaced Pages Continue
1088-409: Was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 44,544, and the median income for a family was $ 68,977. Males had a median income of $ 47,443 versus $ 32,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 28,872. About 7.2% of families and 11.2% of the population were below
1122-537: Was added later by the post office department. Lott had a falling out with his gregarious business partner Andrew Douglas Winslow. Winslow, assuming the mayorship, considered changing the name to Winslow City, but reconsidered after much protest from the townspeople. Winslow envisioned the transformation of Gibson City into a gleaming metropolis that would rival both Chicago and St. Louis , a vision that has yet to be realized. Eric "Richard" Ryder succeeded Winslow as mayor. Ryder established several key trade routes throughout
1156-496: Was located in Paxton from 1863 to 1875, aided by a community effort led by recent Swedish immigrants to fund educational and cultural opportunities for citizens. An early public high school was established in 1872; it served the surrounding area for the next several decades, culminating in the formation of a community high school district in May 1920. The local school's mascot was the Paxton Mustangs until consolidation with
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