Batchtown, Illinois

Batchtown
Village
Main Street Batchtown in the 1930s
Location of Batchtown in Calhoun County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 39°2′1″N 90°39′19″W / 39.03361°N 90.65528°W / 39.03361; -90.65528Coordinates: 39°2′1″N 90°39′19″W / 39.03361°N 90.65528°W / 39.03361; -90.65528
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Calhoun
Area [1]
• Total	1.86 sq mi (4.83 km2)
• Land	1.86 sq mi (4.83 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population  (2010)
• Total	214
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	198
• Density	106.28/sq mi (41.03/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	62006
Area code(s)	618
FIPS code	17-04117
Wikimedia Commons	Batchtown, Illinois

Batchtown is a village in the southern end of Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 214 at the 2010 census, a decline from 218 in 2000. As of 2018, the population had decreased to an estimated 199.^[3]

History[]

The village and the area surrounding it was called Richwoods during the 1850s. Then people started referring to the area as Sam White's, after a leading merchant in Calhoun County. It was later called Batchelder Ville, after William Batchelder, who lived in the village during the 1860s. A post office opened up in the community in 1879 and Batchtown became the official name of the village.

By the time the village was incorporated, there were several stores and shops. The Grand Army Of The Republic set up a post in the village and the first Batchtown Methodist Church was set up.

William Batchelder was a leading citizen in the community. He owned and operated a corn mill in Batchtown. He later changed the corn mill into a flour mill. William Batchelder was also a justice of the peace and merchant.

Samuel White was also a leading citizen in Batchtown. He owned a store in the village that sold stock groceries, dry goods, shoes, and hardware. He also sold farm machinery.

Geography[]

Batchtown is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas

According to the 2010 census, Batchtown has a total area of 1.86 square miles (4.82 km²), all land.^[5]

Demographics[]

1930's

Main Street looking east 2008

As of the census^[7] of 2000, there were 218 people, 85 households, and 60 families residing in the village. The population density was 115.9 people per square mile (44.8/km²). There were 110 housing units at an average density of 58.5 per square mile (22.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.54% White, and 0.46% from two or more races.

There were 85 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,222, and the median income for a family was $46,094. Males had a median income of $31,389 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,013. About 4.2% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty five or over.

Notable people[]

• Bill McGee, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants

Gallery[]

Charles and Fanny Wilson Shannon

First School Building

At turn of the 20th century

On back of photo "My grandfather owned it (Andrew Wilson). Ferry was pulled by horses. Mom (Lucy Shannon Whitten Walters)"

References[]

A New Geography Of Calhoun County