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On Saturday, June 7th, the Chestnut
community hosted its annual Family Fun Day in Anderson Park in the
heart of the village. The day was accented with a special
celebration of a new attraction that has been installed in Clark
park, facing highway 54.
A new mural boasting Chestnut as
the geographic center of the state was designed and created by
artist Scott Lindley of Mt. Pulaski.
At 9:30 a.m. a dedication ceremony was held at the sign.
Didi Drake provided the following information about the sign to
Lincoln Daily News.
“In 1990, Gary Calvert, a student from Midstate College in Peoria
Illinois, was inspired to determine the Geographical Center of
Illinois after studying in Rapid City, South Dakota which is located
outside the geographical center of the United States. Using the
Center of Gravity Method, he was able to determine that the center
of Illinois was near Chestnut and confirmed by the Illinois
Geographical Survey. It was Certified that the center was located
approximately 1 mile Southwest of Chestnut approximately 400
yards/1300ft into a field off Illinois Route 54 South of Chestnut.
Mr. Calvert stated he wasn’t surprised, “To me, in Illinois, the
center of power is agriculture. . . it seems only appropriate that
the center of the state would be in a cornfield” (Pekin Daily
Times). The Chestnut Community came together to create the Chestnut
Geo Group with the goal of designating and promoting Chestnut as the
Geographical Center of Illinois.
“Chestnut Geo Center Group worked
with students from ISU to design a Monument to commemorate the
Center of Illinois designation. The design includes plaques at each
corner depicting life in Chestnut; Family, Agriculture, the Rail
Road and the designation as the Center of Illinois.
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The Monument was
dedicated in Clark Park in June of 1993, the Celebration
incorporated the surrounding towns and the attendance of several
celebrities- Bill Geist of CBS Sunday Morning, Charles Kuralt
from CBS “On the Road with Charles Kuralt” and Jim Edgar,
Governor of Illinois. In the late 1990’s Chestnut was made
famous as it was cited on the popular game show Jeopardy, as the
Geographic Center of Illinois!
“The Chestnut Geo Center Group has
continued to promote and celebrate Chestnut as the Center of
Illinois! The group works to provide community pride activities,
continue with the Fun Day Celebrations, beautification projects and
keep supporting Small Town Living at its Best!
“On June 7, 2025, the Geo Group was
proud to dedicate the addition of a Mural commissioned from our
local artist, Scott Lindley of Mt Pulaski. The design is a nod to
the historic past of our town and beautiful addition to the Park.
The addition of the Mural would not have been possible without the
support of our generous community, Logan County Tourism Board,
Tomlinson Trust, Aetna Township and the Aetna Road Commissioner. We
are so proud of Chestnut’s history and appreciate all the support
that have made the Mural addition possible.”
The day also included many activities
at Armstrong including food trucks, bounce houses, a silent auction
and 50-50 raffle. The Mt. Pulaski Library provided a children’s
story time. The Chestnut Geo Group was selling popcorn, candy and
t-shirts as a fundraiser, and the Chestnut Fire Department hosted a
large breakfast fundraiser.
[Nila Smith with information and photos from Didi Drake, Matt &
Abbey Boutcher, and LDN archives] |
