Decatur Fun Facts

Did You Know That: 

• The first corn processing plant was built in Decatur, Illinois
• The first patented flyswatter was made in Decatur, Illinois 
• The Chicago Bears originated in Decatur, Illinois as the Decatur Staley’s (it wasn’t until 1920 that Coach George Hallas took the Staleys to Chicago and became franchised in the NFL as the Chicago Bears)
• The first slot machine was made in Decatur, Illinois    
• Abraham Lincoln made his first political speech in Decatur, Illinois
• Decatur, Illinois is the birthplace of the Republican Party
• Lincoln was nominated for the presidency at the Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur in 1860, and when elected became the nation’s first Republican President
• Decatur, Illinois is part of the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Trail  
• In 1869 & 1870 the Illinois State Fair was held in Decatur 
• The first cattle dehorner was made in Decatur, Illinois
• The first hog ring was made in Decatur, Illinois
• Lake Decatur has 32 miles of shoreline
• During WWII, the city police chief banned women from wearing shorts in public in Decatur, Illinois
• The highest point in Decatur, Illinois is 684” above sea level (at Belmont & Cantrell Streets)
• The mission of the Convention & Visitors Bureau is to promote Decatur/Forsyth as a convention, event and tourist destination
• Decatur, Illinois was ranked #1 out of 94 smaller metropolitan Best Places in Forbes Magazine
• The average winter temperature is 31.17 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius in Decatur, Illinois