Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, 'The Capital of Southern Illinois', is a city in Southern Illinois. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, 96 miles (154 km) miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest. Carbondale is the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University. The city is located in Jackson County, Illinois. As of a 2009 census estimate, the city had a total population of 26,235. In addition, the city is a part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois Combined Statistical Area with 123,272 residents. In 1971, Carbondale won the All American City achievement award, and was a finalist in the 2009 contest.
History
In August 1852, Daniel Harmon Brush, John Asgill Conner, and Dr. William Richart bought a 360-acre (1.5 km2) parcel of land between two proposed railroad sites (Makanda and De Soto) and two county seats (Murphysboro and Marion). Brush named Carbondale for the large deposit of coal in the area. The first train through Carbondale was on the main line north from Cairo on Independence Day 1854.On April 29, 1866, one of the first formal Memorial Day observations was held at the city's Woodlawn Cemetery. Local resident General John A. Logan gave the principal address.[citation needed]By the time of the Civil War, Carbondale had become both a regional center for business and transportation, and an educational center with the founding of Carbondale College (which became Southern Illinois College in 1869). Carbondale won the bid for the new teacher training school for the region, and Southern Illinois Normal University opened in 1874. This gave the town new industry, new citizens, and a supplement to public schools. In 1947, the name was changed to Southern Illinois University which now has 21,000 students enrolled.
Geography
Carbondale is located at 37°43′35″N 89°13′13″W / 37.72639°N 89.22028°W / 37.72639; -89.22028 (37.726418, -89.220270). It is in the watershed of the Big Muddy River, at 415 feet (126 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (31.4 km²), of which, 15.9 square miles (30.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 2.06% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000 , there are 25,597 people, 10,018 households, and 3,493 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,152.0 people per square mile (830.9/km²). There are 11,005 housing units at an average density of 925.2/sq mi (357.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 66.08% White, 23.14% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 6.67% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. Race, household, age, and income data does not include corrections introduced through Count Question Review updates that added 4,916 people and 37 households to the official 2000 population count for the city of Carbondale.There are 9,981 households out of which 17.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.1% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% are non-families. 43.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.78.In the city the population is spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 35.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years, which is fairly typical for a college town. For every 100 females there are 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.6 males.The median income for a household in the city is $27,882, and the median income for a family is $34,601. Males have a median income of $30,217 versus $24,114 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,346. 21.4% of the population and 13.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. However, traditional measures of income and poverty can be misleading when applied to cities with high student populations, such as Carbondale.
Government
The city of Carbondale has a council-manager government. There are a total of seven elected city officials. One mayor and six city council members elected at-large for four-year staggered terms. The City Manager, a professional hired by the city council, appoints the department heads within the city. The city provides services such as police, fire, development services, public works, and public library. Several boards and commissions within the city allow for citizen participation helping to bridge the gap between the residents and the government. Carbondale is a zoned, home rule municipality. In 2010, the city approved a new comprehensive plan that lays out goals for the future and ways to accomplish these goals.
Culture
In addition to Southern Illinois University, the city has a variety of unique cultural institutions. PBS and NPR broadcasting stations (WSIU) are affiliated with the university. Carbondale also is home to WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois, and the Big Muddy Independent Media Center.There are two daily newspapers, The Southern Illinoisan and the university's Daily Egyptian; two weeklies, the Carbondale Times and the Nightlife; and a bi-weekly Heartland Women.SIU has a teaching museum on campus, the University Museum, which has 60,000 artifacts in its collection and hosts traveling shows from known artists. In addition to the University Museum, there is the African American Museum and The Science Center. Theater-goers can see both professional and student-produced plays and performances at the university's McLeod and Kleinau Theaters. SIUC is also home to the largest auditorium in Southern Illinois, Shryock Auditorium. Shryock Auditorium has brought in many performing artists, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Judy Collins, along with orchestras and other musical productions. Theater-goers can also attend off-campus productions by The Jackson County Stage Company (Stage Company). In 2007, the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts (CCA) partnered to purchase and renovate the Varsity Theater, which had been vacant since 2003, into the Varsity Center for the Arts (VCA). The VCA is now the performing home of the Stage Company and also supports a variety of other fine arts and performances through the CCA.Civic action is encouraged by groups such as Carbondale Conversations for Community Action (the local implementation of Study Circles). There are several lodges and clubs, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks, Rotary, and the A.F.A.M (Freemasons).The Women's Center, in continuous service since its founding in 1972, was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.[citation needed]Spirituality finds expression in Carbondale in churches of a variety of Christian denominations, a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, two mosques, a Jewish congregation, a Sufi community, a Hindu community, and two Buddhist organizations — the Shawnee Dharma Group and the Sunyata Center. The Interfaith Center provides space for intercultural exchange and personal growth. It is also an education center to help the community become more ecologically conscious, understand how to incorporate better practices into daily life, and set goals for the future.Carbondale is also sometimes referred to as a “Town of Poets” for their flourishing poetry community.[citation needed] Notable poets include Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, Allison Joseph, and the Transpoetic Playground collective.
Retail
The city's major shopping center is the University Mall, anchored by JCPenney, Macy's, AMC Theater and Bed Bath & Beyond. My Favorite Toys, a large, independent specialty toy store, opened in 2005.Carbondale also has several other shopping centers. University Place is over 250,000 square feet (23,000 m2) and has more than twenty-five tenants including Petco, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, Shoe Carnival, and another AMC Theater. Shopping Center, on the city's west side, is 140,000 square feet (13,000 m2) with 20+ tenants including True Value, Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, and the International Grocery. Adjacent to Murdale is Rural King, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreen's Pharmacy.Carbondale also boasts two small record stores, Plaza Records and P-Mac Music, located on E. Main St. and adjacent to the Murdale Shopping Center respectively. They are locally owned and operated.Carbondale is home to many small shops and restaurants,.. Many of these are located in the downtown area. Because of the diversity of the students attending SIU, there is a great variety of restaurants in the city. There are several restaurants serving Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Mexican and Indian cuisine. Due to the high number of students from Chicago, there are several places to get 'traditional Chicago style' hotdogs. Also, there are many locally owned restaurants which cater to a more upscale cuisine including but not limited to the Underground Grille & Pub, Global Gourmet, Hunan, Thai Taste, and Melange.Carbondale boasts many salons, spas, and overall relaxation facilities. Kampus Kuts is a traditional old time barber shop. There are also several coffee houses that range from a quiet atmosphere to having poetry-readings and live bands. These include Longbranch, Common Grounds, Melange.
Celebrations
Carbondale is known for a number of yearly festivals, including the Lights Fantastic parade in December, the Big Muddy Film Festival (February/March), the Southern Illinois Irish Festival (April), the Indian celebration of Diwali (December), the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (April), the Sunset Concerts (a summer series of free outdoor concerts on the Southern Illinois University campus and in city parks), and Brown Bag Concerts (a spring and fall series of free outdoor concerts in the Town Square Pavilion).
Outdoor Activities
Carbondale is adjacent to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Shawnee National Forest, and Giant City State Park. There are 14 parks in the area. Located on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Carbondale has a number of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, Piney Creek Ravine, Pomona Natural Bridge, Garden of the Gods, and Trail of Tears State Park are nearby areas that offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding.Five minutes south of Carbondale is the city reservoir, Cedar Lake, which is open to kayaking and canoeing. The north access features several dramatic rock bluffs and secluded bays. Other lakes nearby include Little Grassy Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, and Kinkaid Lake. Another more remote location is Cache River Swamp, the northernmost cypress swamp in North America. The surrounding areas also offer hiking and mountain biking.EclipsesThe Carbondale area will experience two solar eclipses in the next 15 years: on August 21, 2017 and April 8, 2024. This is a rare opportunity for astronomers.Other ActivitiesCarbondale has 18 public tennis courts, as well as the Superblock, a sports multi-complex with baseball, softball, soccer, football, and track fields. The Carbondale Park district maintains seven parks and an indoor pool for public use. In 2010, the park district opened a new spray park in Attucks Park. Patrons of the park will find water that sprays from the ground, overhead, and small buckets that fill up and dump water on the patrons below. Southern Illinois University's Recreation Center is open to the public; it provides swimming, rock climbing walls, tennis, basketball, an indoor track, racquetball, weight training, and a variety of exercise equipment.The Shawnee National Forest is also home to many wineries. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail visits twelve vineyards in scenic settings, offering local wines and dining facilities. Several of the vineyards are bed-and-breakfasts or offer cabins for close accommodations.
Activism
Probably due to the presence of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale residents have a tradition of political activism. During the Vietnam War, and especially after the Kent State shootings, massive anti-war demonstrations took place on the SIU campus and on the streets of Carbondale. They resulted in the closure of SIU, more than $100,000 of property damage, more than 400 arrests, and the deployment of the National Guard to restore order.Several local organizations are concerned with peace, justice, and the environment, including the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois/Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Shawnee Green Party, the Student Environmental Center, the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, and local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Sierra Club, and the National Audubon Society.In 2001 the city was the location for the national Green Party Congress.
Transportation
The city of Carbondale is serviced by two highways (one federal and one state) and three interstates I-57, I-24, and I-64. The city is twelve miles (19 km) away from the Williamson County Regional Airport, where one commercial airline service provides four flights each day. The city is 331 highway miles from Chicago, Illinois, 96 highway miles from St. Louis, Missouri, and 213 highway miles from Memphis, Tennessee. Carbondale also has two licensed taxi companies, Yellow Cab and Ace Taxi.Public TransitAmtrak, the US passenger rail system, provides service to Carbondale with three trains daily to and from Chicago, and one train daily to and from Memphis and New Orleans.Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Memphis, Jackson, and New Orleans (with many stations along the way). Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago. Carbondale is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini, daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and the Illini operate to Chicago, originating and terminating in Carbondale.The Saluki Express provides bus service around the city. SIUC students, faculty, and staff, as well as the greater Carbondale community, are encouraged to use the service. This system offers eleven routes operating seven days a week while the university is in session, and a 'break route' operating during semester breaks.
Neighborhoods
Northeast / Robert A. Stalls- A Predominantly African American, low income neighborhood, that is located between the streets of N.Illinois Ave, E.Main St and N.Wall St. Attucks park is located along N.Wall St.West End- Home to many middle class Carbondale residents, this neighborhood was mostly a part of the 1950s-60s-70s building boom. The neighborhood is quiet with much foliage and wildlife in the SouthWestern part of town. Houses here are neat and well kept, but not fancy. Crime is low, for the most part.Tatum Heights- Like the West End neighborhood, many of the houses were a part of the 1950s-60s-70s building boom. Smaller than any other neighborhood in Carbondale, Tatum Heights is surrounded by large Carbondale streets, such as Illinois Highway 13, Wall Street, Lewis Lane, and Grand Avenue.Deer Lake-A new development that started in the late 1990s. Deer Lake is a gated community with luxury homes, with some costing well over one million dollars.Arbor District- The Arbor District is the only neighborhood that has a formally organized neighborhood association and web site . It embraces the southwest quadrant of the pre-WWII city, from Oakland Avenue on the west to University Avenue on the east, and Main Street on the north to Mill Street on the south. All homes within the Arbor District are within walking distance of the University, Carbondale Memorial Hospital, downtown and City Hall, and a supermarket. It includes the Historic District, with homes dating to the mid-nineteenth century. Much of the area was subdivided in the 1920s, with streets on the western margins of the neighborhood, between Forest and Oakland, developed in the 1950s and '60s. The Arbor District is probably the most diverse neighborhood in the city, including students from all over the world, families, young professionals, and retirees. It includes areas zoned as single family residential in which the classic homes have been maintained or renovated and which, with their mature tree-lined streets, convey the feeling of a 'college town'. Much of the neighborhood is zoned multi-family, with apartment buildings predominating in the southern part of the District. Many single-family homes have been converted into rooming houses which are interspersed with owner-occupied homes. The neighborhood association promotes re-conversion of these houses to owner-occupied homes.Parrish Acres- Parrish Acres, developed in the late 1970s, is a desired neighborhood which contains many nicer homes in Carbondale, being home to many middle to upper middle class residents. The New Life Center, located in this neighborhood and operated by the Park District, has an indoor swimming pool, large soccer fields, and other recreational facilities.
Awards
Winner, 'All America City,' 1971
Selected as 'Tree City USA,' since 1981
Selected as one of “The Best Towns in America,” 1983
Winner, 'GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award,' since 1986
Selected as 'Best Small City in Illinois,' 1990, 1997
Winner, 'Governor's Hometown Award,' 1991, 1992, 2005, 2009
Selected as one of the “101 Best Outdoor Towns in America,” 2007
Honorable Mention, “City Livability Award,” 2009
Finalist, “All America City Award,” 2009
Finalist, 'Award for Municipal Excellence,' 2009
Notable people
Ron Acks, All-American football player at theU of Iand former NFL Player with theAtlanta Falcons,New England PatriotsandGreen Bay Packers.[citation needed]
Agnes Ayres, actor, born in Carbondale as Agnes Eyre Henkel, notable for roles inThe SheikoppositeRudolph Valentino.
Stephen Bardo, formerU of Ibasketball star, current ESPN college basketball analyst, was born and raised in Carbondale.
Jim Caldwellthe current head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was the wide receivers coach at S.I.U. in the late 70's and early 80's.
Shawn Colvin,Grammy Award-winning singer and musician, went to high school and college in Carbondale.
Dennis Franzstar of the award winning, long running TV series, 'NYPD Blue'
Walt Frazierformer SIU and NBA basketball star (NY Knicks primarily)
R. Buckminster Fuller, noted for his geodesic domes, many of which can be found in Carbondale today, including the one he lived in at the corner of Forest and Cherry.
John Gardner, novelist and teacher perhaps best known forGrendel, a retelling of the Beowulf story, was a professor in SIU's Department of English from 1965–1974.[citation needed]
Paul Gilbert, the guitarist of the bandsRacer X, andMr. Big.
Dick Gregory, comedian and civil rights leader.
Troy Hudson, NBA point guard for theMinnesota TimberwolvesandGolden State Warriors.
Rodney Jones, American poet and nominee for the pulitzer prize.
John Alexander Logan, Jr,United States Armyofficer posthumously awarded theMedal of Honorfor actions during thePhilippine–American War.
Laurie Metcalf, actress onRoseanne, was born in Carbondale and grew up inEdwardsville, Illinois.
Dave Soldier, composer and founder of theThai Elephant Orchestra.
Frankie Trumbauer, famous saxophonist of the 1920s. known for his association with early jazz coronetistBix Beiderbecke.
Shawn Watson, Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach,Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.
Sister cities
Tainai, Niigata,Japan(former town ofNakajoand the city of Carbondale became sister cities in the past)
Tainan City,Taiwan
Shimla,Himachal PradeshinIndia
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