Oak Run is a census-designated place

Census-designated place

A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...

 and resort community in Persifer Township

Persifer Township, Knox County, Illinois

Persifer Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 960.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Persifer Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Appleton at *...

, Knox County

Knox County, Illinois

Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 52,919, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 55,836 in 2000...

, 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,...

, USA

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. As of the 2010 census

United States Census, 2010

The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...

, its population was 547.

Description

Oak Run is located three miles (5 km) north of U.S. Highway 150 between Knox County Highway 12 and Knox County Highway 15. The development surrounds the 580 acres (2.3 km²) Spoon Lake, the largest man-made body of water in Central 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,...

. It consists of approximately 4000 acres (16.2 km²) of land situated in Persifer and Copley

Copley

- People :* Al Copley, American Jazz Pianist* Amber Copley, American beauty queen* David C. Copley, newspaper publisher, descendant of Ira Clifton Copley* Evan Copley, American academic and composer...

Townships. There is a public golf course, convenience store, restaurant, and gas station as well as two marinas and several parks. Other facilities include a swimming pool, lounge building, tennis courts, beaches and a 56-site campground. There are both year round residents and vacation cottages located in Oak Run.

History

Following the purchase of this acreage from 27 land owners, American Central commenced construction of Oak Run in 1971. Oak Run is situated in an area long referred to by area residents as “Round Bottom." The 580 acres (2.3 km²) Spoon Lake was impounded by the construction of an earthen dam 61 feet (18.6 m) high and 550 feet (167.6 m) wide at its base. The lake is approximately 60 feet (18.3 m) deep at the dam and provides nearly 19 miles (30.6 km) of shoreline. The lake first reached pool elevation in 1973 and is fed by Sugar Creek and natural springs. More than 40 miles (64.4 km) of public hard surfaced roads have been constructed to county road specifications. The public Oak Run Golf Course opened in mid-summer of 1976.

Geography

Oak Run is located at 40°57′48"N 090°08′42"W at an elevation of 738 feet (224.9 m). Spoon Lake divides the town.

External links

• Oak Run - Central Illinois' Finest Lake and Recreational Development