Parker City, Illinois Explained

Official Name:Parker City, Illinois
Settlement Type:Former settlement
Pushpin Map:Illinois#USA
Pushpin Label:Parker City
Pushpin Label Position:top
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Illinois
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Johnson
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:Dec. 28, 1889
Elevation Ft:585
Coordinates:37.5677°N -88.7979°W
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:425308[1]

Parker City, also known simply as Parker, is a former settlement in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. Parker City was west of New Burnside, south of Creal Springs, and founded at the crossings of the former Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway and Marion to Brookport branch of the Illinois Central Railroad.[2] The town was named after George Washington Parker, a former president of the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad, which was a predecessor to the Big Four.

At its peak the town reached a population of nearly 300, but slowly began to decline in the 1920s. At one time, there were two hotels, two stores, a post office, dining rooms, and restaurants. Also, two barbershops were always full of customers. The Parker City Post Office opened for business December 28, 1889 and closed down October 31, 1941. There were approximately 40 houses in Parker City during its peak.[3] [4]

References

  1. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  2. http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Maps-&-Charts/Highway/County/Johnson.pdf Illinois Department of Transportation-Johnson County, Illinois
  3. Web site: Riding the rails to a developing region. BY JIM KIRKPATRICK, For The. Southern.
  4. textsA history of Johnson County, Illinois, Chapman, Leorah May Copeland, Mrs. P. T. Chapman, 1925