Area ProfileDecatur, ILMacon County , Illinois was settled in 1829, and the City of Decatur (2006 population approximately 84,000) was founded in 1836. In 1829, when Macon County was carved out of the rich central Illinois soil, there were few settlers and no town to serve as a county seat. To fill the need, a new city, originally comprised of four square blocks, was laid out and named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., U.S. naval hero of the Battle of Tripoli in the War of 1812.
Decatur is still the county seat, as well as the business and employment center of Macon County. The city is located along the Sangamon River which fills Lake Decatur, a 2800-acre reservoir and recreational lake. The lake is surrounded by residential areas, a marina, and beautiful public parklands. The unique, historic downtown area has undergone much revitalization with new storefronts, new businesses and the Central Park fountains. The family of Abraham Lincoln was among the area's first residents. They settled in a log cabin west of the town in 1830, but left after only one year, following an unusually brutal winter.
Over the years, Decatur has counted among its residents famous baseball greats Charlie Dressen and Bill Madlock, as well as infamous individuals like Charles E. Boles, better known as highwayman/poet Black Bart, who left here in the 1870's for California to plunder stagecoaches loaded with gold. A turning point in Decatur 's history came in 1854, when the Great Western Railroad was built through the city. A few months later the Illinois Central crossed those tracks. The junction of these two rail lines created a natural focal point for commerce and industry, and within a few years Decatur was transformed from a village to a thriving manufacturing city.
On May 6, 1860, the Illinois Republican Convention was held in Decatur, in a tent known as the Wigwam in the center of town. It was at this convention that Abraham Lincoln received his first endorsement to run for President of the United States, and was dubbed “The Rail-splitter Candidate” by Richard J. Oglesby, a friend and three-time governor of Illinois. Oglesby's home still stands in Decatur . It is restored to its original splendor, with period furnishings, and many family artifacts. Decatur serves as a centralized metropolitan area for the surrounding towns of Arcola, Argenta, Arthur, Atwood, Bethany, Blue Mound, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Dalton City, Elwin, Findlay, Forsyth, Harristown, Illiopolis, Kirksville , La Place , Macon , Maroa , Monticello , Moweaqua, Mt. Auburn, Mt. Pulaski, Mt. Zion, Niantic, Oakley, Oreana, Pana, Shelbyville, Stonington, Sullivan, and Warrensburg.
You will hear several mottos associated with the city: "Decatur, We Like it Here,” is one, “The Pride of the Prairie" is another, but "The Soybean Capital of the World" has been associated with this area because of agribusiness giants ADM and Tate & Lyle North America. Decatur's iconic symbol is the Transfer House, an early 20th century Victorian structure originally located in the center of town where the city's original street car lines met. The Transfer House was moved to Central Park in 1963 to save it from destruction when highways were being widened due to increasing traffic through the city. The building was then used as a visitors' center, and later housed the offices of the Downtown Decatur Council. There is currently an effort underway to restore the Transfer House to its historically-correct condition. Decatur has many tree-lined streets, restored historic homes and mansions, and an historic downtown area filled with unique shops, great pubs and restaurants, and several art galleries. Decatur is well known for its industrial, agricultural processing and manufacturing strengths, with vast production facilities for ADM, Caterpillar and Tate & Lyle North America. The corporate world headquarters for ADM, the leading agricultural processor and ethanol producer, is in Decatur. Decatur is the location of two fine institutions of higher learning, Millikin University and Richland Community College. Decatur's Municipal Airport, served by Great Lakes Airlines, has several daily commercial flights to and from St. Louis, MO, connecting flyers directly to anywhere in North America. The airport facility has hosted many notable visitors: Presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Vice-President Dan Quayle, Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev (at the invitation of his longtime friend, Dwayne Andreas, former CEO of ADM), and former U.S. Secretary of State, General Colin Powell. Decatur is a sister city to Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan, and to Seevetal, Lower Saxony, Germany. Some Famous Decaturites
Forsyth, IL
In the heart of Illinois, not far from the heart of the Midwest, there's a wonderful village called Forsyth, Illinois. Forsyth is not too big and not too small. It's not too far from anything and it's not too close. Forsyth possesses a terrific sense of community, wonderful public parks, convenient shopping, and an easily accessible central Illinois location, where Interstate 72 and U.S. Highway 51 intersect. Sometimes, the best way to describe what a place is, is to describe what it isn't. Forsyth isn't a “ bedroom” community; it isn't a “planned community” that caters to one age group but discourages others; and it's not a place where individual tastes have been sacrificed to the efficiency of cookie-cutter architecture. Forsyth is unique, and uniquely appealing.
Forsyth's outstanding location and labor force have attracted a wide variety of retail businesses, including many of the country's most recognized names, as well as a number of specialty shops. Forsyth's service economy succeeds and continues to grow and attract new businesses, because our people are determined to provide the best, friendliest and most knowledgeable service, in every area. Forsyth is one of the fastest growing communities in Central Illinois. Within its boundaries are a premier regional shopping mall (Hickory Point Mall), major national retailers in surrounding satellite shopping centers, dozens of well-known restaurants, movie theaters, and major hotel chains. Forsyth's motto for economic development is "Pride and Progress." From its wide streets and sidewalks to ample public spaces and gathering places, everything about Forsyth says, “welcome.” Visitors ARE welcome here. Forsyth has attracted several of the nation's premier hoteliers, giving the village many options for travelers to choose.
If you're planning to step out for a meal, you won't go hungry in Forsyth. In the time it takes you to ask, "What restaurants are near the hotel?" you can be at any one of dozens of fast food outlets, casual restaurants, or fine dining establishments. Looking for something to do after dinner? You might want to check out what's playing at the 12-screen theatre. If you like the outdoors, Forsyth's public parks feature dozens of acres of woods and open fields, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and batting cages — all connected by miles and miles of paved walking and bicycling paths. The Decatur Park District also operates a beautiful 18-hole public golf course on the boundaries of Forsyth that plays host each year to an LPGA Duramed/Futures qualifying tour event. Welcome to Forsyth. We hope your stay with us is a pleasant one and that you'll want to return often.
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