Geneseo is a city in Henry County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,539. Geneseo is 20 miles east of the Quad Cities, at the intersection of Interstate 80, U.S. Route 6 and Illinois Route 82.

The city is known for its historically successful high school football and music programs. It is also known for its Victorian architecture.

History

Geneseo was founded as a Christian colony in 1836 by seven families of the Congregationalist denomination from Geneseo, New York and Bergen, New York seeking to establish a "church in the wilderness". Roderick R. Stewart, one of the city's founding members, named the town Geneseo after the settlers' town of origin in New York. The name "Geneseo" is a variation of the Iroquois word Genesee, meaning "shining valley" or "beautiful valley".

Establishment

thumb|W.C. Sheppard Mansion, 1895 in Geneseo, Illinois. This lot was the location of Deacon Cone's house that was used for the Underground Railroad

Planning for the colony began as early as 1829. In May 1836 the founding seven families of Geneseo sent an exploratory committee to survey the precise location of their new community in the Old Northwest. This group, known as the "New York Committee", or "New York Group" was composed of John C. Ward, Lukas T. Seyller, and Roderick R. Stewart. Advised at a meeting in Chicago by the future Governor of Illinois, Thomas Ford, the small committee rode by wagon and horseback to investigate the 2,000-acre tract. The transaction of the land was completed in what is today Colona Township and purchased at a dollar and a quarter per acre.

On September 17, 1836, the settlers embarked on their journey from Geneseo, New York and Genesee County, New York across Canada, down through Michigan, then across Indiana and Illinois. The subsequent winter was so bad that the families remained in Princeton, Illinois and what was known as Providence County while their structures were being established. Cromwell K. Bartlett constructed the first structure just south of the town in the winter of 1836, and Elisha Cone and J.C. Ward built the first cabin and frame house in town, respectively, in 1837. This building, originally known as the Geneseo Manual Labor High School, was later renamed the Geneseo Seminary and was borne of the self-denial philosophy of the town's leaders.

Further proving their religious and educational convictions, when many of the town's founding families hadn't arrived and while the remainder battled frostbite, the settlers began a temperance society in 1836 with several families in Hanna Township and Cleveland, Illinois. Construction on the original First Congregationalist Church began in 1837 and its first communion was held on April 18, 1838.

Even before the church was constructed, the first school was established when R.R. Stewart's daughter, Susannah Stewart, began teaching classes in a one-room school house in 1837. It was built with puncheon floors, round poles, and the old wagon covers they used to make the journey. Although Geneseo had grown at a near stand-still since its inception, reaching only 500 persons by 1850, it soon exploded to 5,500 just 11 years later (within the 10-square mile area). Due to its large growth, Geneseo officially became a town in 1855 and a city in 1865. Although a large expansion was planned for GCI in the early 1900s, the school financially collapsed in 1922

20th century school expansion

thumb|The old North Side School, Geneseo, Illinois circa 1900

In 1909 the Township High School District was established. It received a major expansion in 1932. Officially known as Township High School, it was erected between 1910 and 1911

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Geneseo had a population of 6,539. The median age was 45.8 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.6 males age 18 and over.

98.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.9% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,892 households in Geneseo, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.1% were married-couple households, 16.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. and gun manufacturing company Springfield Armory, Inc.

Arts and culture

Annual community events include Geneseo Music Festival, and Geneseo Christmas Walk.

Government

The city government is organized under a aldermanic form. The mayor is elected at large for a two-year term. The mayor, Sean Johnson, is chief executive officer and presiding officer over the city council. The city council consists of eight aldermen representing four individual wards.

Education

Geneseo Community Unit School District 228 includes Geneseo High School.

Infrastructure

Downtown Geneseo will be a stop on the Chicago to Des Moines Amtrak expansion.

Notable people

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  • Earnest Elmo Calkins, advertising executive
  • Agnes Meyer Driscoll, cryptanalyst
  • William O. "Doc" Farber, noted American Political Scientist
  • Judith Ford, Miss America, 1969
  • Edith Dunham Foster, educational filmmaker
  • Butch Patrick, actor famous for his portrayal of Eddie Munster.
  • Barry Pearson, NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs
  • Leon Alaric Shafer, painter and illustrator
  • Todd Sieben, Illinois State Senator
  • Jack Wanner, MLB shortstop for the New York Highlanders

References

  • Geneseo Official website