Griggsville, Illinois

Geobox|Settlement
name = Griggsville
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category = City
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country = United States
state = Illinois
region = Pike
region_type = County
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district_type = Township
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lat_d = 39
lat_m = 42
lat_s = 30
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long_d = 90
long_m = 43
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long_EW = W
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area_imperial = 1.0
area_land_imperial = 1.0
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population = 1258
population_date = 2000
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leader_type = Mayor
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code = 62340
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map_caption = Location of Griggsville within Illinois
map_background = Illinois - background map.png map_locator = Illinois2
commons = Griggsville, Illinois
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Griggsville is a city in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,258 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Griggsville is located at coor dms|39|42|30|N|90|43|33|W|city (39.708403, -90.725797).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,258 people, 500 households, and 360 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,215.0 people per square mile (467.0/km²). There were 548 housing units at an average density of 529.3/sq mi (203.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.21% White, 0.16% African American, 0.08% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population.

There were 500 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $36,071. Males had a median income of $27,454 versus $18,182 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,578. About 10.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

From a prologue to the "Genealogy of the Steads":

The Purple Marlin Capital of the Nation

, the largest bird in the swallow family, supposedly able to eat 2,000 mosquitoes in a single day. [ [http://www.naturesociety.org/griggsville.php The Nature Society ] ] J.L. Wade quickly realized that to get the purple martins to stay, he simply needed to give them a reason to stay, so he converted his antenna factory into a bird house building factory. The mosquito population dwindled, which lead the town to adopt the nickname "The Purple Martin Capital of the Nation", as well as labeling the Purple Martin "America's Most Wanted Bird." Additionally, Wade's Purple Martin business, formerly Trio Manufacturing, published a newsletter called The Nature Society News. The purple martin factory has been recently been sold to a Chicago businessman. Griggsville has installed over 5,000 birdhouses along the city streets, including a 562-apartment high rise, reaching a height of 70 ft.

Griggsville was a "dry" town until April 17, 2007, when a petition to allow liquor sales passed with an overwhelming majority, ending a 50 year alcohol sale prohibition.

Griggsville hosts an Apple Festival on the third weekend of each September, along with the Western Illinois Fair, traditionally held during the third week of June. The Western Illinois Fair, in its 120th year, is one of the oldest fairs in the state of Illinois.

Notable Griggsville natives include former Laker basketball star Lew Hitch, and the alt.post-folk.against band New Prairie Identity.

Points of interest

* The 'Purple Martin High-Rise' is located in central Griggsville on Illinois Route 107.
* Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area
* Many visitors arrive in Griggsville annually for hunting the abundant wild life such as deer and turkey with hunting season beginning in late summer/early fall.
* Summer visitors can find entertainment during the Western Illinois Fair 3rd week of June that hosts harness racing with cash prizes, farm related activities, music, carnival rides, beer tent, and camping facilities.
* For those doing research on ancestors The Skinner House hosts a collections of books, photos, and cemetery records as well as genealogical records maintained by families since the town's founding. Local history is documented at The Skinner House as well as the legendary painting of Bethel Church by artist John Skelton who was raised in Griggsville.
* Autumn activities include Fall Color Drive hosted during 3rd weekend in October for scenic driving tour, crafts, food, and yard sales throughout the county.

ee also

* Griggsville Landing Lime Kiln
* Phillips Ferry

External links

ources

Stead, George A. "Prologue to the Genealogy of the Steads" [transcribed by JN Mahon - 1999] "Griggsville--Boom, Town on the Frontier" "retrieved from archives at the Skinner House in Griggsville, IL". November 29, 2007