check out schools, colleges - Norris City, IL. | WikiXM

Welcome:
Norris City, IL

Wikipedia
A A+ A++ A+++

We would like to provide the residents of  Norris City  a basic history overview.

The WikiXM 'Norris City' platform is your gateway to becoming an active part of our vibrant community, regardless of your age or how long you've called 'Norris City' home. It's more than just a news platform; it's a thriving hub where the collective wisdom of every 'Norris City' resident converges to ignite discussions, foster learning, and empower one another with knowledge about our beloved town.

Here in 'Norris City', we have a diverse tapestry of residents. Some have roots that run deep, their knowledge steeped in the rich history of our town. Others are students, dedicated to keeping us updated on school activities, while many are committed to sharing the ebb and flow of daily life.

What's more, from a civic and political perspective, there are countless opportunities for you to join in. Many in our community offer updates on policies and decisions, offering their unique insights. This platform is where all these local perspectives meld together, creating a better place for everyone to live, regardless of your age or how long you've been a part of 'Norris City'.

So, whether you're a long-time resident or a newcomer, young or old, WikiXM is your invitation to dive into the heart of our community, to engage, and help us all create a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected 'Norris City'. Join us and let's make a difference together!

Norris City, IL - History


We would like to provide the residents of  Norris City  a basic history overview.


Welcome to the Norris City Home page. The Norris City Home page provides as much information as possible on Norris City. Knowing Norris City’s history is essential to guiding its future. Within Norris City’s Home page, you will also find Norris City’s Founders, Holiday, and Birthday sections.

Norris City has a population of 1325. 48.9% of Norris City’s inhabitants are Male, and 51.1 are female. 46.4% of Norris City is married and 70.9% own their own home. The Average Home price is $56,351, and the average rent is $281. Household median income in Norris City is $33,250, and the individual median income is $24,440. Norris City’s Ethnic is the following: White(99.5%), Multiple(0.5%).


Norris City was incorporated in 1901.The original plat of Norris City was filed for record in the White County Courthouse in Carmi, Illinois on August 17, 1871 at 8 a.m. The post office at Norris City was established May 15, 1871, with William A. Johnson appointed as the first Postmaster. The name for Norris City had to have been decided prior to the time it was platted and prior to the opening of the post office.


The question of how Norris City got its name has caused many debates throughout the years. The new community, for a short time in early 1871, was called “Popeye” or “Popeye’s Station, after William A. Johnson, the first depot agent at the site who had the nickname of Popeye. The trainmen said they were stopping at “Popeye” or “Popeye’s Station.” The story is that Mr.


Johnson's eyes protruded, so he was given the nickname of Popeye. This was before the days of the Popeye cartoon character, which was created by a native of Chester, Ill.. The story is, that children going to Gum Prairie Grade School near Mr. Johnson's house gave him the nickname. The other story is that he was given the nickname by the trainmen. Stories about how Norris City got its name are varied, but the following is a result of my research: First off, it was not named after any of the aforementioned people involved in getting Norris City started and platted.


This deepens the mystery. According to one story, the people of the new village got together to try to agree upon a name for it. It was decided that the name would come from the person or family having the most land in the area. After the acreages were added up, the Norris family beat out the Johnson family by just a few acres.


Thus, as the story goes, it was named Norris City. William Norris was the head of the Norris family at that time so it was said to have been named after him. Another version is that a meeting was held and the railroad had been doing some business with William Norris so they decided to name the town Norris City after him.


So the story goes that he went home from the meeting and told his wife, Emaline (White) Norris, and she replied she didn't think it was such a big deal to have such a small place named after you. Another story is that Thomas Ridgway, for whom Ridgway was named, was on a train going through here. Mr.


Ridgway was the President of the Springfield and Illinois Southeastern Railroad, and he asked what the town had been named. It is said that the foreman of the construction crew, or one version says he was conductor or engineer of the train, spoke up and said the trainmen call it Popeye or Popeye's Station.


Mr. Ridgway, so the story goes, said that was no name for a town. This trainman is then supposed to have said, “Why don’t you name it after me?” So they did. His name was supposed to have been John William Norris of Fairfield. Nellie Johnson, wife of Mel Johnson, said her father was on the train when this happened.


Mel and Nellie Johnson operated Johnson's Hardware of the south side of East Main Street in Norris City for years. Another version of this story is that the engineer of the work train constructing the railroad tracks to the site of Norris City boarded at the home of William Norris, and his wife Emaline (White) Norris at the west edge of the site of the new village.


It is said that he was the one who spoke up and suggested the name for the town. He was fond of the cooking of Mrs. Emaline Norris, who was noted as a good cook. For this reason, it is said that he suggested the name Norris City, naming the town after her and not her husband, William Norris. Jessie (Robb) Newkirk, wife of Vollie Newkirk (parents of Beth (Newkirk) Rister) and a granddaughter of William and Emaline Norris said that her grandmother always said that the town was named after her and not after her husband.


A brother and a sister of Jessie Newkirk also told the same story that had been told to them by their grandmother Norris. The book, “Illinois, a Descriptive and Historical Guide,” compiled in 1939 by Federal Works Agency, Works Project Administration, states that Norris City, altitude 444, population 1109, a trading center for an agricultural and coal mining district was named in honor of a pioneer settler, William Norris. A reference report of the Illinois State Historical Library states, “No information is available in our records as to the origins of the name, Norris City.”


What you can do in the WikiXM Norris City, IL News

Engage with your town in a Live format.

With various live chat features, you can engage with locals in a virtual conversation.

You can discuss or write about local issues.

Create & post topics in "town" you love like Sports, Entertainment

You can ask your Community questions that only locals may be able to answer.

Ask questions about local services, where to find local activies or get other local advice from those that live in your town.

Local interest Groups are a great way to engage locally.

Create a local group in an area of your interest like Mt. Bikiing, Hiking, a book group.

Get to know your town better.

See what we've included about your town and how can get to know your towns history much better and participate in its future.

What is WikiXM?

View Category Page

Norris City, IL - Founding Members

Norris City, IL Founders

The Norris City, IL founder's page is dedicated to those people in the Norris City, IL area that initially made the Norris City, IL WikiXM news a reality. Without their initiative, foresight and social fortitude the Norris City, IL WikiXM news would not have happened.

No Founding Member in Norris City, IL.

Become a Founding Member

Top Articles in Norris City, IL

See More

The Norris City, IL founder's page is dedicated to those people in the Norris City, IL area that initially made the Norris City, IL WikiXM news a reality. Without their initiative, foresight and social fortitude the Norris City, IL WikiXM news would not have happened.

No Articles in Norris City, IL.

Create an Article

Norris City, IL Reporters

See More

The Norris City, IL's Reporters play an important role in keeping their communities informed. They investigate stories, write articles, and inform the public about what is happening in their area.

No Reporters in Norris City, IL.

This could be you

Norris City, IL Live Town Chat

Start a discussion, not a fire. Post with kindness.

Sign in Now to take part in the Live Chat

No Live Chat in Norris City, IL

Be the first to post !

Town
Talk