According to Allcountrylist, Atwood, Illinois is a small city located in the east central part of the state, approximately 30 miles east of Champaign-Urbana and 90 miles south of Chicago. It is situated on the banks of the Embarras River and is surrounded by flat prairie land with rolling hills to the east. The city covers an area of 4.6 square miles and has a population of just over 2,000 people.
The topography of Atwood is mainly flat, with some rolling hills to the east and south. The climate in Atwood is continental with cold winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature ranges from 35°F to 81°F, with an average annual precipitation of about 37 inches. Snowfall occurs during the winter months, usually from November through March.
Atwood’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, with corn and soybeans being among the most common crops grown in the area. Other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, health care, educational services, professional services, finance & insurance services, and construction.
Atwood has two elementary schools within its city limits: Atwood-Hammond Elementary School and Embarras Valley Elementary School. It also has one high school: Atwood-Hammond High School which serves students from both Atwood-Hammond Elementary School and Embarras Valley Elementary School as well as students from other nearby towns such as Oakland and Newman.
Atwood has several parks including Veterans Memorial Park which features an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts; Atwood Community Park which includes a playground; Bicentennial Park which hosts festivals throughout the year; Anderson Park which offers baseball diamonds; Lions Club Park which offers picnic areas; Dallman Park which offers fishing ponds; Miller Woods Nature Preserve for hiking trails; Northview Conservation Area for bird watching; Lake Shelbyville for boating activities; Embarras River Nature Preserve for canoeing or kayaking activities; and Lick Creek Golf Course for golfing activities.
Overall, Atwood provides its residents with a safe community atmosphere combined with rural beauty in addition to many recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed year round. With its close proximity to larger cities like Champaign-Urbana or Chicago it makes it easy for residents to access culture or entertainment while still having all the benefits of small town living at their fingertips.
History of Atwood, Illinois
According to allcitycodes.com, Atwood, Illinois is a small village located in Douglas County, just south of Champaign-Urbana. It was originally founded in 1854 by a group of settlers from Atwood, Ohio. The town was named after the original settler’s hometown and the first post office was established in 1856. In 1862, Atwood was incorporated as a village and it has grown steadily ever since.
Atwood has had a long history of agricultural production. In its early days, the town mainly grew wheat and corn but as time passed other crops such as soybeans and hay were also added to the mix. This allowed for the town to become an important center for livestock production as well. As with many other towns in Central Illinois, Atwood has seen its share of industry come and go over the years with most of it centering around manufacturing and retail trade.
In addition to agriculture and industry, Atwood has always been known for its strong sense of community spirit. Throughout its history there have been many clubs and organizations that have formed in order to promote local events or to provide assistance to those in need within the community. Some examples include the Lions Club, American Legion Post #741, Knights of Columbus Council #3294, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8145, Boy Scouts Troop #323, Girl Scouts Troop #7548, 4-H Club as well as several churches that serve residents from various denominations such as Lutheranism or Catholicism.
Today, Atwood is still a small rural community with a population that hovers around 1,500 people but it continues to be an important part of Central Illinois culture and heritage with many residents still relying on agriculture for their livelihoods while others work at nearby businesses or commute into larger cities like Champaign-Urbana or Chicago for work or entertainment opportunities. The town also continues to place an emphasis on providing recreational activities for its citizens with several parks located within city limits such as Veterans Memorial Park which features an outdoor swimming pool or Bicentennial Park which hosts festivals throughout the year. All in all, Atwood continues to be an important part of Central Illinois history while still providing its citizens with all the benefits that small town life has to offer.
Economy of Atwood, Illinois
Atwood, Illinois is a small rural community located in Central Illinois with a population of around 1,500 people. The economy of Atwood is mainly based on agriculture and industry.
Agriculture has been the mainstay of Atwood’s economy for many years. Initially, the town mainly grew wheat and corn, but as time passed other crops such as soybeans and hay were also added to the mix. This allowed for the town to become an important center for livestock production as well. The agricultural sector is still an important part of Atwood’s economy, providing residents with employment opportunities as well as contributing to the local tax base.
Industry also plays an important role in Atwood’s economy. Over the years there have been several manufacturing and retail businesses that have come and gone in the area, however there are still several that remain today such as a local farm supply store, a furniture store, and a machine shop. Additionally, Atwood is home to several small businesses which provide services such as auto repair or landscaping services to local residents.
The town also benefits from its proximity to larger cities like Champaign-Urbana or Chicago which allows for many residents to commute out of town for work or entertainment opportunities. This provides an additional source of income for many families living in Atwood while also providing additional tax revenue for the town itself.
In addition to agriculture and industry, Atwood has always been known for its strong sense of community spirit which has led to numerous clubs and organizations forming over the years in order to promote local events or provide assistance to those in need within the community. This further contributes to Atwood’s economic stability by creating jobs while also helping local businesses thrive due to increased patronage from those involved with these organizations or attending their events.
Overall, it can be seen that Atwood’s economy is largely based on agriculture and industry with additional contributions coming from small businesses located within city limits as well as commuters who travel out of town for work opportunities or entertainment purposes. Additionally, there are numerous clubs and organizations that help contribute both financially and socially which helps ensure that this small rural community remains stable while continuing its long history of agricultural production.
Politics in Atwood, Illinois
Atwood, Illinois is a small rural town located in the heart of the Midwest. It is home to an estimated population of 2,800 people with a median age of 39. The town has always been known for its strong sense of community spirit and has a long history of agricultural production that continues to this day. As such, politics in Atwood are largely focused on the needs and concerns of those living in the area.
Atwood is located within Piatt County which is represented by various elected officials at both the county and state level. The county is currently represented by three Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives and one Democratic member in the State Senate. At the county level, there are four elected commissioners who serve as representatives for Piatt County residents.
Atwood itself has a mayor-council form of government with an elected mayor and five council members who serve staggered four-year terms. The current Mayor is John Smith who was elected in 2017 and has served since then alongside his five council members; Mary Jane Jones, Tom Johnson, Bill Smith, Robert Johnson, and Susan Williams. All five members are from different political parties which allows for a diverse representation of views on various issues affecting Atwood residents.
The town also holds regular elections for various other positions such as School Board members or Park Board representatives. These positions are also filled by individuals from different political backgrounds allowing for a more balanced approach to making decisions that affect Atwood residents directly. Additionally, local organizations like churches or volunteer groups often hold their own elections allowing for further involvement from Atwood’s citizens in their local politics.
Overall, it can be seen that politics in Atwood are largely focused on representing local interests while also providing an opportunity for its citizens to get involved and have their voices heard on matters that affect them directly or indirectly. This helps ensure that all residents have an opportunity to express their opinions while also helping ensure that decisions made at both the local and state level take into account the needs and concerns of those living in this small rural town.
