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Greene County, Illinois
Only 15,000 people live within
the 543 square miles that comprise Greene County,
but it’s an area proud of its Midwestern roots and down-home
sensibilities.
The county is named for Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary War hero famous
for his service in the southern region of the 13 colonies. Originally part
of Madison County, the original Greene County boundaries included what are
now the counties of Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan and Scott.
The seat of this southwestern Illinois county is the city of Carrollton,
located just 20 miles inland from the Mississippi River and 50 miles north
of St. Louis. Carrollton was named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton,
Maryland. In 1832, the newly built courthouse was the first in the state.
The Carrollton Courthouse Square Historic District is listed with the
National Register of Historic Places, as are a few smaller buildings
scattered throughout the county, mostly because of their architectural
style – Federal, Italianate, Greek Revival and Late Victorian, among
others.
No matter the season, there’s always a celebration going on somewhere
Greene County. In February, the Greenfield Public Library holds the annual
Chocolate Fair, followed by the Easter Basket Raffle in April. Summertime
fun includes the Blue Grass Festival at the Roodhouse Rez the second week
of June, and the Antique Tractor Pull the third weekend of June. Also in
June, the Roodhouse Police Department sponsors the annual Kids Fishing
Tournament. After a summer of fairs and picnics, the weekend after Labor
Day is reserved for Greene County Days – a countywide celebration with
crafts, flea markets, yard sales, home and barn tours and food and
entertainment.
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