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Vermilion County History
Vermilion County was established January 18,
1826, and at one time covered a great deal of territory, reaching
almost to Kankakee and west to Peoria.
At present, it comprises 898 square miles. Danville is the county seat.
The early history of Vermilion County
revolved around the Kickapoo, Miami, and Piankeshaw Indian
Tribes. Once pioneers came
into the area, discovery and exploitation of the salt begins. Indian paths were soon turned
into roads, and Vermilion County started its agricultural climb.
Farmers turned the rich, black earth to
produce food and also raised cattle and hogs. Sidell and Collison are named
for two of these first settlers.
In the mid-nineteenth century, coal was king of the economy.
The County was influenced by the Winnebago
War, the Civil War, WWI, and WWII.
Also, many of our residents served in the Korean and Viet Nam
conflicts. Our heroes are
numerous and merited many decorations for valor and bravery.
Vermilion County is served by a number of
rail routes, as well as hard roads and an airport. Numerous industry and
manufacturing plants provide many residents with employment.
A National Home for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers was established in 1897.
It is now a general medical and surgical unit of the Veterans
Administration. The hospital
was originally located on 400 acres of ground adjoining the City
of Danville.
In September of 1966, Danville Junior
College, now know as Danville Area Community College, was granted
a portion of this land and now occupies 65.5 acres.
Kickapoo State Park offers overnight
camping, picnicking, and fishing from large ponds which were left
by strip mining. Also
located in Vermilion County are three beautiful county parks: Forest Glen Preserve, located
five miles northeast of Georgetown; Kennekuk Cove, seven miles
northwest of Danville; and Lake Vermilion County Park.
New to our parks area in 1998 include the
Middle Fork State Fish & Wildlife Area and Scenic River
located at Kickapoo State Park and the Harry "Babe"
Woodyard State Natural Area located at Forest Glen Preserve.
Due to restructuring of districts in the City of Danville, County Board maps
are unavailable.
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