Lena, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Lena is a village in Stephenson County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 2,912 at the 2010 census.
The town was originally shaped as a parallelogram covering twenty-six blocks for a total of 304 housing lots. During the summer of 1853, lots sold rapidly, commanding prices varying from $50 to $150 each. On New Year's Day 1854, track was laid, and railway cars began running between Freeport
and Warren
. The population began to grow, mostly with English and Irish residents. In 1854, there were about a dozen families in Lena. The public school was operated by Miss S. D. Hyde, Dr. J. R. Chambers was the only other physician in the township, and several local business were operating:
There were also three church organizations in the village:
There were no church edifices in the village at that time, and the congregations took turns occupying the schoolhouse.
During the summer of 1855, Reber & Cheney and Dodds erected a three-story brick building at the corner of Railroad and Schuyler streets. It was completed in the fall of 1856 at a cost of about $4,000. The building is still used by local businesses. The Panic of 1857
had little effect on the growth of the town, and rapid expansion continued through 1860.
As growth continued after the Civil War
, the first town newspaper called the Lena Star was established in 1867, with Dodds as editor. During its first year, the newspaper reported a local fire and called for a town water pump. Several fires erupted through 1868, and J.M. Shannon (who took over as editor of the newspaper) continued calls for a pump. The Lena Water Tower
was finally established on May 15, 1868.
By 1870 Lena's population had reached 1,295 people and its social and business community continued to grow. The Lena Fire Department was established in 1869 and officially met for the first time in 1870. Despite the presence of the fire department and well, fires continued to plague Lena. During the early 1870s structure fires consumed a warehouse, a stable, a rural school and several Lena houses. News of the Great Chicago Fire
of 1871 was unsettling to the residents of Lena, and a fire of 1874 nearly destroyed the old railway depot and freight houses.
A local opera house, constructed in 1879, was featured on the History Channel show American Pickers
in February 2010. The Opera House, now reconstructed, was closed in 1938.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land.
The town of Lena is located in parts of Sections 32 and 33, on the Illinois Central Railroad
, twelve miles (19 km) west of Freeport, IL, and is, next to that city, the largest town in the county.
, there were 2,887 people, 1,164 households and 807 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,350.0 per square mile (520.9/km²). There were 1,257 housing units at an average density of 587.8 per square mile (226.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.58% White, 0.21% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.31% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 1,164 households of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.
24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median household income
was $39,94, and the median family income was $49,375. Males had a median income of $40,202 versus $23,063 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $18,613. About 2.2% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
is noted for its excellence in sports, music, theater and competitive speech. The Lena-Winslow Panther Football team won the Class 1A State Championship in 2010. The high school is also home to LWTV, one of the state's few community-access (Public, educational, and government access
(PEG)) television stations that operates under the auspicies of a school facility.
Stephenson County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,979 people, 19,785 households, and 13,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile . There were 21,713 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,912 at the 2010 census.
History
In 1853, a railroad survey by B. Dornblazer determined a course through present-day Lena, IL. Samuel F. Dodds, who owned 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of land in the area, purchased an additional tract of 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) on behalf of the railroad company and grading work was begun. Dodds owned a stone residence which still occupies Lot No. 1 on Lena street, while Dr. F. Voightheld owned a log home (which has subsequently been demolished) near the train depot. At the time, these two buildings made up the extent of the town.The town was originally shaped as a parallelogram covering twenty-six blocks for a total of 304 housing lots. During the summer of 1853, lots sold rapidly, commanding prices varying from $50 to $150 each. On New Year's Day 1854, track was laid, and railway cars began running between Freeport
Freeport, Illinois
Freeport is a city in and the county seat of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Freeport is George W...
and Warren
Warren, Illinois
Warren is a village in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,428 at the 2010 census, down from 1,496 at the 2000 census.Warren holds several festivals throughout the year...
. The population began to grow, mostly with English and Irish residents. In 1854, there were about a dozen families in Lena. The public school was operated by Miss S. D. Hyde, Dr. J. R. Chambers was the only other physician in the township, and several local business were operating:
- Dry goods and groceries — S. H. McEathron, William Allen, J. E. Ambrose
- Lumber yard — J. N. Clifford
- Blacksmith — William Young
- Grain dealer — N. Perrin
- Postmaster and railroad agent — Samuel F. Dodds
- Physicians — Drs. N. C Pickard and F. Voight
There were also three church organizations in the village:
- Presbyterian, Rev. R. Colston, Pastor
- Methodist, Rev. A. Wolf, Pastor
- Baptist, Rev. J. E. Ambrose, Pastor.
There were no church edifices in the village at that time, and the congregations took turns occupying the schoolhouse.
During the summer of 1855, Reber & Cheney and Dodds erected a three-story brick building at the corner of Railroad and Schuyler streets. It was completed in the fall of 1856 at a cost of about $4,000. The building is still used by local businesses. The Panic of 1857
Panic of 1857
The Panic of 1857 was a financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy and over-expansion of the domestic economy. Indeed, because of the interconnectedness of the world economy by the time of the 1850s, the financial crisis which began in the autumn of 1857 was...
had little effect on the growth of the town, and rapid expansion continued through 1860.
As growth continued after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the first town newspaper called the Lena Star was established in 1867, with Dodds as editor. During its first year, the newspaper reported a local fire and called for a town water pump. Several fires erupted through 1868, and J.M. Shannon (who took over as editor of the newspaper) continued calls for a pump. The Lena Water Tower
Lena Water Tower
The Lena Water Tower is a water tower located in the village of Lena, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1896 following two decades of problems with structure fires in the village. The current water tower is the result of a second attempt after the first structure proved to be unstable. The...
was finally established on May 15, 1868.
By 1870 Lena's population had reached 1,295 people and its social and business community continued to grow. The Lena Fire Department was established in 1869 and officially met for the first time in 1870. Despite the presence of the fire department and well, fires continued to plague Lena. During the early 1870s structure fires consumed a warehouse, a stable, a rural school and several Lena houses. News of the Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
of 1871 was unsettling to the residents of Lena, and a fire of 1874 nearly destroyed the old railway depot and freight houses.
A local opera house, constructed in 1879, was featured on the History Channel show American Pickers
American Pickers
American Pickers is an American reality television series that premiered on January 18, 2010 on History Channel. The series began running concurrently on sister channel Lifetime in December 2010.-Summary and reception:...
in February 2010. The Opera House, now reconstructed, was closed in 1938.
Geography
Lena is located at 42°22′43"N 89°49′35"W (42.378595, -89.826308).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land.
The town of Lena is located in parts of Sections 32 and 33, on the Illinois Central Railroad
Illinois Central Railroad
The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, is a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois with New Orleans, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama. A line also connected Chicago with Sioux City, Iowa...
, twelve miles (19 km) west of Freeport, IL, and is, next to that city, the largest town in the county.
Climate
Demographics
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 2,887 people, 1,164 households and 807 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,350.0 per square mile (520.9/km²). There were 1,257 housing units at an average density of 587.8 per square mile (226.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.58% White, 0.21% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.31% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 1,164 households of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.
24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $39,94, and the median family income was $49,375. Males had a median income of $40,202 versus $23,063 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $18,613. About 2.2% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Education in Lena is provided by the Lena-Winslow Consolidated School District #202. Within the district are facilities in Lena (kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high schools). Lena-Winslow High SchoolLena-Winslow High School
Lena-Winslow High School Dedicated December 7, 1958, Lena-Winslow High School, affectionately known as "Le-Win", is located in the town of Lena, Illinois. Part of the Lena-Winslow Community Unit School District, Le-Win became the third largest school district in Stephenson County, when, in 1949,...
is noted for its excellence in sports, music, theater and competitive speech. The Lena-Winslow Panther Football team won the Class 1A State Championship in 2010. The high school is also home to LWTV, one of the state's few community-access (Public, educational, and government access
Public, educational, and government access
Public, educational, and government access television, refers to three different cable television specialty channels...
(PEG)) television stations that operates under the auspicies of a school facility.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Lena include:- Charles N. FowlerCharles N. FowlerCharles Newell Fowler was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1903, and the 5th district from 1903 to 1911.Fowler was born in Lena, Illinois on November 2, 1852...
(1852–1932), represented 5th congressional districtNew Jersey's 5th congressional districtNew Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Scott Garrett. Garrett defeated Democrat Paul Aronsohn and independent candidate R. Matthew Fretz 55%-44% in the United States general elections, 2006....
in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1895 to 1911.
- Joe LobdellJoe LobdellJoseph Lobdell is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, free-agent offensive lineman formerly with the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
practice squads
Points of Interest
- Lena Water TowerLena Water TowerThe Lena Water Tower is a water tower located in the village of Lena, Illinois, United States. It was built in 1896 following two decades of problems with structure fires in the village. The current water tower is the result of a second attempt after the first structure proved to be unstable. The...
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State ParkLake Le-Aqua-Na State ParkLake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area is an Illinois state park on in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The park surrounds and includes Lake Le-Aqua-Na....
The park is a 715 acres (2.89 km²) state park surrounding and including Lake Le-Aqua-Na - Wolf Hollow Golf Course
- Stage Coach Golf Course