4,076
73%
$51,716
22.8%
America/Chicago
60957
The WikiXM 'Paxton' platform is your gateway to becoming an active part of our vibrant community, regardless of your age or how long you've called 'Paxton' home. It's more than just a news platform; it's a thriving hub where the collective wisdom of every 'Paxton' resident converges to ignite discussions, foster learning, and empower one another with knowledge about our beloved town.
Here in 'Paxton', 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 'Paxton'.
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Paxton, IL - History
We would like to provide the residents of Paxton a basic history overview.
Welcome to the Paxton Home page. The Paxton Home page provides as much information as possible on Paxton. Knowing Paxton’s history is essential to guiding its future. Within Paxton’s Home page, you will also find Paxton’s Founders, Holiday, and Birthday sections.
Paxton has a population of 4076. 48.6% of Paxton’s inhabitants are Male, and 51.4 are female. 53.3% of Paxton is married and 72.5% own their own home. The Average Home price is $100,480, and the average rent is $640. Household median income in Paxton is $51,716, and the individual median income is $29,918. Paxton’s Ethnic is the following: White(91.4%), Hispanic(6.5%), Other(4.7%), Black(1.9%), Asian(1.1%), Multiple(0.5%), Native(0.3%).
The town was initially named Prairie City in the late 1840s, then Prospect City by an Illinois Central Railroad official in 1855. However, as Wilbur W. Sauer says that residents noted the town was "all prospect and no city." In 1859, it was renamed for Sir Joseph Paxton, architect of the Crystal Palace, who was a major shareholder in the Illinois Central Railroad, which in 1856 was the longest span of railroad in the world (Chicago to Cairo).
It was rumored that Paxton was interested in organizing an English settlement in Illinois. The colony never materialized, but the town kept the name. Founded in 1859, Paxton celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2009. Augustana College was located in Paxton from 1863 to 1875, aided by a community effort led by recent Swedish immigrants to fund educational and cultural opportunities for citizens. An early public high school was established in 1872; it served the surrounding area for the next several decades, culminating in the formation of a community high school district in May 1920.
The local school's mascot was the Paxton Mustangs until consolidation with the Buckley-Loda Rockets district in 1990 formed the current Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District, known as the PBL Panthers. The school is a member of the IESA and IHSA for interscholastic sports and activities. The Ford County Courthouse in Paxton was built in 1906, and boasts many murals painted by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. On June 22, 1919, former President William Howard Taft visited Paxton while on his way to Champaign.
After disembarking from a long train ride, Taft delivered a speech in the Pells Park Pavilion in favor of U.S. entry into the newly formed League of Nations. Taft's appearance is a testament to the Paxton Chautauqua, which was held in Pells Park from 1905 to 1930, attracting musicians, speakers and entertainment from all over the United States.
Taft is one of four U.S. Presidents to visit Ford County, joining William McKinley (Gibson City in 1897), Richard Nixon (Melvin as vice president in 1957), and Gerald Ford (Melvin in 1974). From 1865 to 2007, the Paxton Daily Record was published in Paxton, making the paper one of the longest-running daily newspapers of its size in the state of Illinois.
Today, the Ford County Chronicle, a digital publication managed by the former paper's staff, continues to publish local news, sports and other event information. Due to Paxton having the highest elevation points in the area, the Illinois Central Railroad dug out ground so that the railroad could move at the same elevation, but underneath the city of Paxton.
When the railroad was cut (around the 1920s), several bridges were built across the railroad to connect the east and west sides of Paxton. Presently, there are three vehicular bridges, which are located at Holmes Street, Pells Street and Patton Street, and a pedestrian bridge at Orleans Street. The town also hosts the Historic Brick Water Tower & Ford County Historical Society Museum, which opened on July 4, 2007.
The 80-foot (24 m) tall brick water tower was built in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Paxton Foundation, a local historical preservation group, is currently restoring the Old Ford County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, built in 1871. Located on West State Street adjacent to the Courthouse, it will be turned into a museum.
Another local building on the National Register of Historic Places is the Paxton Carnegie Library, which was built in 1903. The community has many homes built in the late 19th century, some of which are now part of an historic homes walking tour. Many of the home owners have won awards from various preservation and restoration societies for their efforts in maintaining the architectural heritage of these important landmarks.
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce and PRIDE in Paxton, a member of the Illinois Main Street Program, currently promote local businesses and events in the historic downtown district.
The Paxton, IL founder's page is dedicated to those people in the Paxton, IL area that initially made the Paxton, IL WikiXM news a reality. Without their initiative, foresight and social fortitude the Paxton, IL WikiXM news would not have happened. Like all those that have come before us, these founder saw what others... Read More
The Paxton, IL founder's page is dedicated to those people in the Paxton, IL area that initially made the Paxton, IL WikiXM news a reality. Without their initiative, foresight and social fortitude the Paxton, IL WikiXM news would not have happened. Like all those that have come before us, these founder saw what others couldn't - potential in a new way of doing an old medium - a new way of providing the news to the people around them.
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KNOW YOUR TOWN REPRESENTATIVES
PAXTON Representatives
Mayor : Bill Ingold
Ford County REPRESENTATIVES
Ford County Circuit Clerk
Ford County Sheriff
Ford County Treasurer
Ford County Coroner
Ford County State's Attorney
Ford County Clerk
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