67-598: Kampsville is a village in Calhoun County, Illinois , United States, located on the west bank of the Illinois River . The population was 310 at the 2022 census. Kampsville was originally known as Beeman's Landing , after James L. Beeman, a ferry operator on the Illinois River. After Stephen Farrow purchased the ferry from Beeman, the name was changed to Farrowtown. The name Vedder was used when
134-553: A 2 hour long drive north via the only road existing Calhoun without a water passage or was not covered by flood water. The Great Flood of 1993 was devastating to Calhoun County because it destroyed homes, infrastructure, and caused many residents to leave. The population of the county has yet to recover. In the town of Grafton, Illinois, downriver from Calhoun County, a statue was placed to mark where Marquette and Joliet are claimed to have landed during their famous exploration. Historians base claims upon one of Marquette's diary entries. In
201-690: A day, seven days a week. It is one of two permanent ferries operated by the Illinois Department of Transportation . The village is the base of operations for the Center for American Archeology , an educational and research organization dedicated to the archeological understanding of the Native Americans and of the European settlers in the region. It contains exhibits demonstrating evidence of 7,000 years of human habitation excavated at
268-490: A small cave which he had dug, and which was located about a quarter of a mile from the Mississippi River. He continued to live in this cave until his death in 1842, and after that he was referred to as "The Hermit" due to the fact that he would not visit the other settlers or allow them to come to his place. In 1850, Soloman Lammy, who then owned the farm upon which the cave was located. The next settlers to come to
335-499: Is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois . As of the 2020 census , the population was 4,437, making it Illinois’ third-least populous county. Its county seat and biggest community is Hardin , with a population of 801. Its smallest incorporated community is Hamburg, with a population of 99. Calhoun County is at the tip of the peninsula formed by the courses of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers above their confluence and
402-614: Is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River at approximately 273 miles (439 km) in length. Located in the U.S. state of Illinois , the river has a drainage basin of 28,756.6 square miles (74,479 km ). The Illinois River begins with the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers in the Chicago metropolitan area , and it generally flows to the southwest across Illinois, until it empties into
469-534: Is almost completely surrounded by water. Calhoun County is sparsely populated; it has just five municipalities, all of them villages. Calhoun County is part of the Metro-East portion of the St. Louis , MO -IL Metropolitan Statistical Area . Calhoun County was settled by Americans during the very early 19th century, and officially organized in 1825. It was named for Vice President John C. Calhoun , in addition to
536-599: Is developing a long-term plan to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Illinois River, as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency . During dry weather, sewage flows safely through the city's sewers to the Greater Peoria Sanitation District wastewater treatment plant . However, about 28 times a year, melting snow or rainwater can overwhelm
603-558: Is now Calhoun County was a man only known today by his last name, O'Neal. He came in the year 1801 and settled in the south part of the county at Point Precinct at what has been called "Two Branches". Although his name might have one assume differently, O'Neal was a French trapper and had made his way there from Acadia. O'Neal lived in Point Precinct a number of years before any other European settlers came to that region, and when they did come he refused to mingle with them. He lived in
670-733: Is now known as, impacted several villages in Calhoun and completely destroyed the village of East Hardin which once sat across the Joe Page Bridge when the Nutwood levee broke in August 1993. The flood also closed all crossings over the rivers in the county including the bridge in Hardin and all ferries, leaving residents without access to groceries, gasoline, or other supplies. All supplies needed had to be flown in via helicopter or retrieved on
737-570: Is wide, deep, and still, for 65 leagues." In 1680, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle built the first fort in Illinois, Ft. St. Louis, at Starved Rock to facilitate the fur trade and defend the Illinois against the Iroquois . Later the fort was relocated to the present site of Creve Coeur , near Peoria. The French retained a presence in the area, with small trading posts. Prior to
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#1732779796596804-502: The 2010 census , there were 5,089 people, 2,085 households, and 1,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 20.0 inhabitants per square mile (7.7/km ). There were 2,835 housing units at an average density of 11.2 per square mile (4.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 98.9% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of
871-421: The 2020 census there were 310 people, 132 households, and 96 families residing in the village. The population density was 250.00 inhabitants per square mile (96.53/km). There were 175 housing units at an average density of 141.13 per square mile (54.49/km). The racial makeup of the village was 91.29% White , 1.29% Native American , and 7.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of
938-540: The Koster Site in nearby Greene County . According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Kampsville has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km), of which 1.02 square miles (2.64 km) (or 82.26%) is land and 0.22 square miles (0.57 km) (or 17.74%) is water. Three highways run through the village. They are Route 100, Route 96, and a small portion of Route 108 leads to the Kampsville ferry. As of
1005-556: The Mississippi River and the Illinois River . The rolling hills escaped the leveling of glaciers . County transportation is served by two state-operated, free ferries crossing the Illinois River (the Brussels Ferry in the south and the Kampsville ferry in the north). The Golden Eagle ferry, which is privately operated and charges a toll, crosses the Mississippi River to St. Charles County, Missouri . A bridge spans
1072-647: The Spoon River coming from Fulton County , and across from Browning , it is joined by the Sangamon River , which passes through the state capital, Springfield, Illinois . The La Moine River flows into it approximately five miles (8 km) southwest of Beardstown , which is south of Peoria and Pekin and northwest of Lincoln and Springfield. Near the confluence of the Illinois with the La Moine River , it turns south, flowing roughly parallel to
1139-627: The "Great Bend", flowing southwest across western Illinois, past Lacon , Henry and downtown Peoria , the chief city on the river. South of Peoria, the Illinois River goes by East Peoria and Creve Coeur and then Pekin in Tazewell County . It is then joined by the Mackinaw River , and then passes through the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge . Across from Havana , the Illinois is joined by
1206-564: The 2010s, so that Joe Biden ’s 2020 vote percentage is the worst ever by a Democrat. Interestingly, despite Donald Trump defeating Hillary Clinton by almost 40 points in 2016, Calhoun County concurrently voted Democratic in the Senate race, narrowly supporting Tammy Duckworth over Mark Kirk. School districts include: 39°10′N 90°40′W / 39.16°N 90.67°W / 39.16; -90.67 Illinois River The Illinois River ( Miami-Illinois : Inoka Siipiiwi )
1273-435: The Calhoun family that was prominent in the area at the time. The southern side of the county, covered in thick forest, was untouched until the population began to expand in the late 1840s with the arrival of German immigrants. Land was cleared for farming, exporting lumber, and constructing spacious log barns, typically 200 square feet (19 m ) in size, which were a "trademark of successful German farmers." The territory
1340-584: The Fox, Vermilion, Macoupin, Mackinaw, Spoon, Sangamon, and La Moine. This river flows west across northern Illinois, passing Morris and Ottawa , where it is joined by the Mazon River and Fox River respectively. At LaSalle , the Illinois River is joined by the Vermilion River , and then it flows west past Peru and Spring Valley . In southeastern Bureau County it turns south at an area known as
1407-584: The French Hollow area. The descendants of the DeGerlia family are still living on the same land Antoine DeGerlia settled over 200 years ago. The most well-known historical event to impact Calhoun County is likely the Great Flood of 1993. Calhoun County is a peninsula nestled between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, which both saw record flooding during 1993. The Great Flood of 1993, the name it
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#17327797965961474-480: The Illinois River at Hardin . Land routes connect to the north to bordering Pike County . When transportation was mainly by river, the county had many prosperous farms and orchards. It still produces a major portion of the peach crop of Illinois, and farmers raise corn and other commodities. The hotel in Brussels dates from 1847, when it was a stagecoach stop. Tourists visit the area for the natural environment of
1541-696: The Illinois River valley and for its proximity to the Great River Road on the Illinois side. It includes part of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and attracts thousands of birds in migration seasons as part of the Mississippi Flyway . The county has several designated historic districts in the villages and properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Calhoun County
1608-580: The Iroquois against the Illinois tribes along the Illinois River. La Salle recounts the aftermath of a massacre of the Illinois by the Iroquois in South Calhoun County writing, "As the French drew near to the mouth of the Illinois, they saw a meadow to the right, and, on the farthest verge, several human figures erect, yet motionless. They landed and cautiously examined the place. The long grass
1675-554: The Mississippi across western Illinois. Macoupin Creek joins the Illinois on the border between Greene and Jersey counties, approximately 15 miles (24 km) upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River . For the last 20 miles (32 km) of its course, the Illinois is separated from the Mississippi River by only about five miles (8 km), by a peninsula of land that makes up Calhoun County . The Illinois joins
1742-515: The Mississippi near Grafton , approximately 25 miles (40 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis and about 20 miles (32 km) upstream from the confluence of the Missouri River and the Mississippi. South of Hennepin , the Illinois River follows the ancient channel of the Mississippi River. The Illinoian Stage , about 300,000 to 132,000 years ago, blocked the Mississippi near Rock Island , diverting it into its present channel. After
1809-521: The Mississippi near Grafton, Illinois . Its drainage basin extends into southeastern Wisconsin , northwestern Indiana , and a very small area of southwestern Michigan in addition to central Illinois. Along its shores are several river ports, including Peoria, Illinois . Historic and recreation areas on the river include Starved Rock , and the internationally important wetlands of the Emiquon Complex and Dixon Waterfowl Refuge . The river
1876-474: The Native Americans in 1814, but there is some doubt as to the accuracy of the statement as John Shaw who took part in battles with the natives in the region and was a community leader at the time does not mention in his writings any harm coming to the settlers at Cap au Gris. As early pioneers continued to settle in Calhoun County there is evidence of troubled relations between the European settlers and
1943-430: The Native Americans. There are two known cases on kidnapping of settler's children. One being the three-year-old son of Jacob Pruden. Mr. Pruden settled in the county in 1829 near what was called the old Seuier place, about five miles below the present site of Hardin. The boy was recaptured from the Native Americans five days after he had been taken, and had not been harmed. The second case was the kidnapping of Joe DeGerlia,
2010-613: The Starved Rock Visitor Center, which offers an excellent interpretation of the entire system. The waterway is heavily used by barges transporting bulk goods such as grain and oil. It is used in the summer and early fall by tourists in pleasure boats cruising the Great Loop . The Illinois River is an important part of the Great Loop, the circumnavigation of Eastern North America by water. The City of Peoria
2077-670: The United States except for the Columbia River . The Illinois River was once a major source of mussels for the shell button industry. Overfishing , habitat loss from heavy siltation , and water pollution have eliminated most commercial fishing except for a small mussel harvest to provide shells to seed pearl oysters overseas. It is commercially fished downstream of the Rt. 89 bridge at Spring Valley . However, an infestation of invasive Asian Carp has crowded out many game fish in
Kampsville, Illinois - Misplaced Pages Continue
2144-468: The area were French trappers and people of mixed ancestry, who started a community about a mile above what was called the Deep Plain Ferry, on the Illinois River, in the southern part of the county. They remained until about 1815 when they were driven out by the very high water. Another French settlement was located at Cap au Gris (which means Cape of Grit or Grindstone). This place was located at
2211-403: The average family size was 2.30. The village's age distribution consisted of 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males. The median income for a household in the village
2278-541: The banks of the Illinois across from Starved Rock at the Grand Village of the Illinois , near present-day Utica. The Illinois Confederation were the primary inhabitants of the valley. Marquette wrote of the river, "We have seen nothing like this river that we enter, as regards its fertility of soil, its prairies and woods; its cattle, elk, deer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beaver. There are many small lakes and rivers. That on which we sailed
2345-543: The construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in the late 19th century, Chicago's sewage was pushed down the river rather than into Lake Michigan. As the canal declined by the early 1900s, it was eventually replaced by the Illinois Waterway in 1933, which is still in use today. The Peoria Riverfront Museum contains a gallery, "Illinois River Encounter," that offers an interpretation of
2412-592: The construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal , completed in 1845, Peoria was the only large settlement on the River. The river's trade flowed downstream to be dominated by St. Louis . After the I&;M Canal was built, a string of cities, such as LaSalle, Peru, and Ottawa grew along the river, extending Chicago 's influence into the Mississippi Valley. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
2479-564: The county seat of Hardin have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1979 and a record high of 116 °F (47 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.01 inches (51 mm) in January to 4.10 inches (104 mm) in May. As of
2546-490: The entry Marquette mentions that they entered the mouth of the Illinois River early in the morning, which would mean that the party had camped somewhere below the mouth during the previous evening. The territory about Grafton is high and a desirable place to camp, while the land opposite, on the Missouri side is low and swampy and would have made an undesirable camping place. However, local historians in Calhoun County claim that
2613-516: The first time in 1920, and it narrowly repeated that in the GOP landslides of 1924 and 1928. The county did turn strongly Republican due again to opposition to war involvement in 1940, and remained Republican-leaning for three decades. Between 1970 and 2008 Calhoun turned Democratic once more – George Bush senior in 1992 won a smaller proportion of the vote than Alf Landon in 1936 or William Howard Taft in 1912. The county leaned heavily Republican during
2680-528: The flow of the Chicago River, the pollution and sewage of the city of Chicago flowed down into the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal has since been replaced by the Illinois Waterway , including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal . River traffic and flood control is managed by eight locks and dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . As of 2011, all locks and dams on this waterway are closed to visitors for security reasons, except
2747-514: The following table is based on the 2020 census of Calhoun County. † county seat For two generations following the Civil War, Calhoun County was typical of the German counties on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River in being heavily Democratic as it had opposed the “ Yankee ” American Civil War . However, many citizens of Calhoun County enlisted in military on the side of Union during
Kampsville, Illinois - Misplaced Pages Continue
2814-587: The glacier melted, the Illinois River flowed into the ancient channel. The Hennepin Canal roughly follows the ancient channel of the Mississippi upstream of Rock Island. The modern channel of the Illinois River was shaped in a matter of days by the Kankakee Torrent . During the melting of the Wisconsin Glacier about 10,000 years ago, a lake formed in present-day Indiana, comparable to one of
2881-528: The modern Great Lakes . The lake formed behind the terminal moraine of a substage of that glacier. Melting ice to the north eventually raised the level of the lake so that it overflowed the moraine. The dam burst , and the entire volume of the lake was released in a very short time, perhaps a few days. Because of the manner of its formation, the Illinois River runs through a deep canyon with many rock formations. It has an "underutilized channel", one far larger than would be needed to contain any conceivable flow of
2948-616: The modern river. The Illinois River valley has long been an important transportation route for civilizations. The portages between the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers and the Kankakee and St. Joseph rivers allowed Native Americans, Europeans, and later Americans access between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi basin . The first European presence in the area was the Jesuit mission founded in 1675 by Father Jacques Marquette on
3015-454: The party was traveling about twenty -five miles a day up the Mississippi River, but it is likely that they made better time on the Illinois River because there would be less current. If they were traveling at a rate of slightly better than twenty-five miles a day and entered the river early in the morning (this was the last week in August) they would have been in the Kampsville area by evening. At
3082-403: The place now called "Perrin's Ledge" several large Indian mounds are to be found and the first settlers in this part of the county found evidences to show that a small Indian village had been located here. Here at the ledge, the bluff is very near to the water and the rocks project themselves in such a manner that they can be seen for miles down the river. From a distance they have the appearance of
3149-410: The population. There were 132 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 15.15% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.27% were non-families. 27.27% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.36% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and
3216-425: The population. In terms of ancestry, 46.2% were German , 14.7% were American , 12.4% were Irish , and 9.5% were English . Of the 2,085 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size
3283-485: The post office was established in 1857. The name Kampsville was made official on March 6, 1872, and refers to Michael A. Kamp, who served as president of the village board and was also a postmaster at Silver Creek, north of Kampsville. The Kampsville ferry crosses the Illinois River and connects the Kampsville segment of Illinois Route 108 with its remainder in Greene County . The ferry is free and runs 24 hours
3350-411: The residents of the river towns were deeply involved in harvesting the river's fish, waterfowl, mussels , and ice . They were economically and culturally dependent on the river, building up industries such as tourism related to duck hunting and sport fishing, commercial fishing, musseling for the button factories, and ice cutting for early attempts at refrigeration for domestic and commercial use. With
3417-472: The river and soon came to the mouth." The massacre is noted as taking place in the last week of November 1680, about a mile above the site of the Deer Plain Ferry which is no longer in operation, at a place now known as Marshall's Landing. Many skulls, parts of skeletons, and weapons have still been found near this spot by farmers during plowing. The first European settler to make his home in what
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#17327797965963484-610: The river as link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi was extended into the era of modern industrial shipping. The Illinois now forms the basis for the Illinois Waterway , extending the river's capabilities for navigation and commercial shipping. The Illinois River is formed by the confluence of the Kankakee River and the Des Plaines River in eastern Grundy County , approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Joliet . Its other major tributaries include
3551-404: The river through an aquarium tank, and displays of the river's geology, ecology, social history, engineering, and commercial use. The Starved Rock Lock and Dam Visitor Center features exhibits on the Illinois River with a viewing area of the working lock in a site frequented by bald eagles. From 1905 to 1915, more freshwater fish were harvested from the Illinois River than from any other river in
3618-561: The river. The Illinois River is still an important sports fishing waterway with a good sauger fishery. The Illinois forms part of a modern waterway that connects the Great Lakes at Chicago to the Mississippi River. The waterway was originally established by the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal that connected the Illinois River to the Chicago River . When the Sanitary District of Chicago later reversed
3685-420: The sewers, causing untreated sewage to overflow into the Illinois River. Peoria was required to examine the sewer overflows and prepare a long-term control plan to meet Clean Water Act requirements and protect the Illinois River. The city had to submit its plan by December 2008 to U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA. The issue was still under discussion as recently as 2016. The John Hartford song "Long Hot Summer Day"
3752-549: The site of what was once the West Point Ferry, in Richwoods Precinct. The French settlers who lived here came sometime after 1800 and by the year 1811 there were 20 families, who had a small village on the bank of the river, and cultivated a common field of about 500 acres. The field was located on the level land about a mile from the site of their town. One writer said that these families were driven away by
3819-469: The son of Antoine DeGerlia Sr., the first settler in the French Hollow area. Mr. DeGerlia had not yet finished building his home, when his small son, Joe, was taken, however the family oral history may suggest Joe was bartered or sold. Nearly thirty years later a man who was acquainted with the history of the DeGerlia family was traveling among the tribes of the Indian Territory, and there he heard
3886-458: The story of a boy that had been kidnapped many years before from a place not far from where the Illinois River flows into the Mississippi. He investigated the story and found that the boy was Joe DeGerlia of a family in Calhoun. Joe had been taught the Native's language and had grown to manhood among the remnants of the tribe that had taken him southwest. Joe returned to Calhoun, married, and lived in
3953-403: The true stopping point of the expedition is a place now called "Perrin's Ledge", located several miles above Kampsville, Illinois. Their claims seem to be much better supported by Marquette's diary where he writes, "We entered the mouth of the Illinois River very early in the morning", and further on he says: "We spent the night with some friendly Indians." From other parts of the diary we find that
4020-516: The walls of a castle. There can be little doubt that it was at this place that the Marquette-Joliet party stopped for the night. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 284 square miles (740 km ), of which 254 square miles (660 km ) is land and 30 square miles (78 km ) (10.5%) is water. Calhoun County is a narrow 37-mile (60 km)-long peninsula of mostly high, rolling ground located between
4087-478: The war. The people of Calhoun generally were not sympathetic to the Confederate cause, as there are accounts of Calhoun citizens harassing Confederate sympathizers and Calhoun was often the target of Confederate desperados who would steal horses, burn barns, and generally terrorize the locals. Only when German-Americans were offended at Woodrow Wilson's policies towards Germany did the county vote Republican for
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#17327797965964154-457: Was $ 49,583, and the median income for a family was $ 57,500. Males had a median income of $ 38,438 versus $ 32,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 22,374. About 26.0% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 56.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over. The school district is Calhoun Community Unit School District 40 . Calhoun County, Illinois Calhoun County
4221-487: Was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 44.6 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 44,891 and the median income for a family was $ 57,627. Males had a median income of $ 42,917 versus $ 34,514 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 23,109. About 7.2% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over. The population ranking of
4288-494: Was added to the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003, along with Bond and Macoupin counties in Illinois, and Washington County, Missouri . The Center for American Archeology is located in Kampsville in the northern part of the county. It has been the center for study of prehistoric indigenous culture in the area. It has created educational opportunities for children and adults to participate in its archaeological digs. In recent years, average temperatures in
4355-534: Was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi. The French colonial settlements along these rivers formed the heart of the area known as the Illinois Country in the 17th and 18th centuries. After the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Hennepin Canal in the 19th century, the role of
4422-469: Was originally settled by indigenous people who occupied the resource-rich river valleys near waterways. The remains of their occupation have provided some of the most valuable archaeological information in the country. The county's archaeological record chronicles more than 10,000 years of continuous human occupation by Native Americans . In 1680, French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle recorded in his diary historic Native American raids by
4489-429: Was trampled down and all around were strewn the relics of the hideous orgies which formed the ordinary sequel of an Iroquois victory. The figures they had seen were the half consumed bodies of women still bound to the stakes where they had been tortured. Other sights there were, too revolting for record. All the remains were of women and children; the men, it seems, had fled, and left them to their fate. The French descended
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