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Carbondale, Illinois
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Carbondale is a city in southern Illinois in the midwest United States, miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. It is known chiefly as the site of the main campus of Southern Illinois University. The city is located in Jackson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,367. The city's current mayor is Brad Cole.
ondale was named by founder Daniel Brush, who intended to develop coal-mining operations in the region.
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Encyclopedia
Carbondale is a city in southern Illinois in the midwest United States, miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. It is known chiefly as the site of the main campus of Southern Illinois University. The city is located in Jackson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,367. The city's current mayor is Brad Cole.
History
Carbondale was named by founder Daniel Brush, who intended to develop coal-mining operations in the region. By the time of the American Civil War, the area had been incorporated as a village. After the war, it developed into a center of business and transportation for the region.
On April 29, 1866 one of the first formal Memorial Day observations was held at the city's Woodlawn Cemetery.. Local resident General John A. Logan gave the principal address.
Southern Illinois Normal College, later a major factor in Carbondale's economy, was founded in Carbondale in 1869. States were intent on training teachers to staff schools in the many new towns of the area. In the 19th century, several Midwest states built their educational systems on the German model: normal colleges were designed to train teachers of primary and middle grades, usually in a two or three-year program. Classical four-year colleges trained people for academic or professional careers. Originally a teachers' college, Southern Illinois was transformed into a full research public university starting in 1948. The additions of schools of law, medicine and dentistry allowed it to achieve university status. As Southern Illinois University (SIU), it now has more than 21,000 students.
The city is in a region of the state known as Little Egypt.
Geography
Carbondale is located at (37.726418, -89.220270). It is in the watershed of the Big Muddy River, at 415 feet above sea level.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.4 km˛), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km˛) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km˛) of it is water. The total area is 2.06% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000 , there are 25,597 people, 10,018 households, and 3,493 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,152.0 people per square mile (830.9/km˛). There are 11,005 housing units at an average density of 925.2/sq mi (357.2/km˛). The racial makeup of the city is 66.08% White, 23.14% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 6.67% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. [Race, household, age, and income data does not include corrections introduced through Count Question Review updates that added 4,916 population and 37 households to the official 2000 population count for Carbondale city.]
There are 9,981 households out of which 17.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.1% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% are non-families. 43.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.78.
The age distribution, which is heavily influenced by the presence of SIU, is: 15.8% under the age of 18, 35.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years, which is also fairly typical for a university town. For every 100 females there are 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $15,882, and the median income for a family is $34,601. Males have a median income of $30,217 versus $24,114 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,346. 41.4% of the population and 23.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. However, traditional measures of poverty can be misleading when applied to a community with a large proportion of students, such as Carbondale.
Culture
In addition to Southern Illinois University, the city has a variety of unique cultural institutions. PBS and NPR broadcasting stations (WSIU) are affiliated with the university. Carbondale also is home to WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois, and the Big Muddy Independent Media Center.
There are two daily newspapers, The Southern Illinoisan and the university's Daily Egyptian; two weeklies, the Carbondale Times and the Nightlife; and a bi-weekly Heartland Women.
In addition to the University Museum, there are an African American Museum and Science Center. Theater-goers can see both professional and student-produced plays and performances at the university's McLeod and Kleinau Theatres, or attend off-campus productions by The Stage Company. A variety of fine arts are encouraged by the Carbondale Community Arts organization.
Civic action is encouraged by groups such as Carbondale Conversations for Community Action (the local implementation of Study Circles). There are several lodges and clubs, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks, Rotary, and the A.F.A.M (Freemasons).
Spirituality finds expression in Carbondale in churches of a variety of Christian denominations, as well as a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, two mosques, a Jewish congregation, a Sufi community, and a Hindu community. The Women's Center, in continuous service since its founding in 1972, was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.
Retail
The city's major shopping center is the University Mall, anchored by JCPenney, Macy's and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Celebrations
Carbondale is known for a number of yearly festivals, including the Lights Fantastic parade in December, the Main Street Pig Out (a September barbecue-and-music festival), the Big Muddy Film Festival (February/March), the Southern Illinois Irish Festival (April), the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, and the Sunset Concerts, a summer series of free outdoor concerts on the Southern Illinois University campus and in city parks.
In the 1970s and early '80s, Carbondale was famous for its elaborate public celebration of Halloween, with imaginative, original costumes and throngs of visitors attracted from other parts of Illinois and neighboring states. Carbondale is also infamous for a series of civil altercations that have occurred on Halloween. "The Strip", as the main stretch of local businesses and bars is known in the city, has often been shut down on Halloween in order to quell the riotous, alcohol-inspired behavior. Since 2000 , the city has closed The Strip on Halloween with success and could relax the restrictions by 2009.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking:
Kayaking/Canoeing:
Just five minutes south of Carbondale is the city reservoir, Cedar Lake, an outstanding place to kayak or canoe. The north access features several dramatic rock bluffs and interesting bays to explore. Other lakes nearby include Little Grassy, Devils Kitchen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, and Kinkaid Lake. Another, more remote location is Cache River, the northernmost cypress swamp in North America.
Activism
Due to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale residents have a long tradition of political activism. During the Vietnam War, and especially after the Kent State shootings, massive anti-war demonstrations took place on the SIU campus and on the streets of Carbondale. They resulted in the closure of SIU; more than $100,000 of property damage; more than 400 arrests and the deployment of the National Guard to restore order.
In response to the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003), Carbondale has been the site of a weekly public Peace Vigil which has continued uninterrupted since December 2001.
Several local organizations are concerned with peace, justice, and the environment, including the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois/Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Shawnee Green Party, the Student Environmental Center, the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, and local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Sierra Club, and the National Audubon Society.
In 2001 the city was the location for the national Green Party Congress.
Rail Transportation
Amtrak, the US passenger rail system, provides service to Carbondale. Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Fulton, Newbern-Dyersburg, Memphis, Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, McComb, Hammond, and New Orleans. Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago. Carbondale is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini, daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and the Illini operate to Chicago, originating and terminating in Carbondale.
Notable People
Notable natives of Carbondale have included:
- Agnes Ayres was born in Carbondale as Agnes Hinkle and became famous in 1921 when cast in The Sheik opposite Rudolph Valentino.
- Shawn Colvin, Grammy Award-winning singer and musician, went to high school and college in Carbondale.
- R. Buckminster Fuller, most famous for his geodesic domes. Many domes built, or inspired, by Fuller can be found in Carbondale today, including the one he lived in at the corner of Forest and Cherry
- Paul Gilbert, the guitarist of the bands Racer X, and Mr. Big.
- Troy Hudson, NBA point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves and most recently the Golden State Warriors.
- John Alexander Logan, Jr, United States Army officer posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War.
- Laurie Metcalf, actress on Roseanne, was born in Carbondale and grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois.
- Dave Soldier, composer and founder of the Thai Elephant Orchestra.
- Matt Tamke, aka "Cop Hair", a Mississippi musician, primarily known for his guitar playing in Oxford, MS punk rock band, Donkey Punch, and drumming in The Withdrawls, is from the Carbondale area.
- Frankie Trumbauer, famous saxophonist of the 1920s; was especially known for his association with early jazz coronetist Bix Beiderbecke.
- Shawn Watson, Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
Sister Cities
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