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Streator, IL

Frequently asked questions

Streator, IL

Streator is a city in LaSalle and Livingston counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city is situated on the Vermilion River approximately 81 miles (130 km) southwest of Chicago in the prairie and farmland of north-central Illinois.

As of 2021, Streator has a total area of 7.376 square miles (19.10 km²), of which 7.308 square miles (18.93 km²) (or 99.1%) is land and 0.068 square miles (0.18 km²) (or 0.9%) is water.

Streator lies within the Vermilion River/Illinois River Basin Assessment Area (VRAA) defined by the watershed of the Vermilion River, a major tributary to the Illinois River in Central Illinois, an area of mostly flat prairie. The topography of the basin is a complex collection of buried valleys, lowlands and uplands carved by repeated episodes of continental glaciation.

Underneath the topsoil, the region's bedrock contains vast amounts of coal. About 68% of Illinois has coal-bearing strata of the Pennsylvanian geologic period. According to the Illinois State Geological Survey, 211 billion tons of bituminous coal are estimated to lie under the surface, having a total heating value greater than the estimated oil deposits in the Arabian Peninsula. However, this coal has a high sulfur content, which causes acid rain.

Streator's coal mining history closely parallels Illinois', with a great push in coal production from 1866 until the 1920s, when many of the mines closed. The low-sulfur coal of the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and the growing demands for oil caused a decline in demand for Streator's high-sulfur coal.

The St. Peter Sandstone is an Ordovician formation in the Chazyan stage of the Champlainian series. This layer runs east–west from Illinois to South Dakota. The stone consists of 99.44% quartz or silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is used for the manufacture of glass. Its purity is especially important to glassmakers. Streator, which lies within outcrop area of the St. Peter sandstone formation, has mined this mineral since the late 19th century for use in its glass manufacturing industries

Although settlements had occasionally existed in the area, they were not permanent. In 1824, surveyors for the Illinois and Michigan Canal which would extend from Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood to the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, arrived in this area of the Vermillion River, followed by homesteaders by the 1830s. In 1861, miner John O'Neill established a trading post called "Hardscrabble" (ironically an early name for the Bridgeport neighborhood), supposedly because he watched loaded animals struggle up the river's banks. Another name for the new settlement was "Unionville".

The healthcare landscape in Streator is robust, with several medical facilities catering to the community's well-being. St. Mary's Hospital plays a vital role in providing comprehensive healthcare services, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical care. Streator Family YMCA provides numerous fitness classes, swimming lessons, sports leagues, and wellness programs for all ages. OSF Center for Health - Streator offers a variety of health services including fitness classes, wellness programs, and health education. Heritage Health Therapy & Senior Care - Streator provides fitness and wellness programs specifically designed for seniors. Access mental health counseling and support services at North Central Behavioral Health Systems. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Connersville, such as the Spring Lake Nature Park Loop and Hopalong Cassidy River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Streator, IL are Weber House and Garden, Streatorland Historical Museum, and Anderson Field Golf Course.

Population: 12,500 (2020). ZIP Code: 61364. Area codes: 815, 779. Elevation: 623 ft (190 m). Area: 7.38 sq mi (19.10 km²).

FAQs

What is the history of Streator, IL?

Streator, first called Hardscrabble, and then Unionville, was christened with its current name in 1868 when the Vermillion Coal Company acquired mining rights to large tracts of land along the Vermillion River near the boundary of LaSalle and Livingston Counties. The company’s on-site manager, Colonel Ralph Plumb, became the town’s founder, which meant the advancement of the town and the affairs of the Vermillion Coal Company were intertwined for many years. Plumb named the new city after the company’s president and principal financier—Worthy Streator, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Is Streator, IL a good place to live?

Living in Streator offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Streator, there are a lot of bars. Many retirees live in Streator and residents tend to lean conservative.

How safe is Streator, IL?

Streator has an overall crime rate of 8 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Streator is 1 in 126. Streator's crime rate is lower than approximately 41% of Illinois communities.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Streator

St. Mary's Hospital 

Streator Family YMCA

OSF Center for Health - Streator 

Heritage Health Therapy & Senior Care - Streator 

North Central Behavioral Health Systems

Spring Lake Nature Park Loop 

Hopalong Cassidy River Trail

Weber House and Garden

Streatorland Historical Museum

Anderson Field Golf Course

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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