Ford County, Illinois

Founding: 1859
Parent county: Unorganized territory

Namesake: Thomas Ford, Illinois governor
Seat: Paxton (1859–)

Land area: 486 square miles

Population (2020): 13,534

Population (historic): 1,979 (1860); 15,099 (1880); 18,359 (1900); 15,489 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1860–1900; 1940–1960

Subdivisions: Two cities; seven villages; 12 townships

National Register listings: Five

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,107 (33.3%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 55%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 3.5%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 5.3%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,035
Average outbuilding value (1930): $2,574

Average farmhouse size (1940): 6.9 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,655
Average farm size (1920): 175.8 acres
Sources of settlement: Illinois, Sweden, Ohio, Germany, New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania
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Paxton

Namesake: Joseph Paxton, English architect and gardener

Founding: 1859 (platting); 1859 (post office); 1871 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 4,450

Population (historic): 275 (1860); 1,725 (1880); 3,036 (1900); 2,892 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1859–1900; 1910s; 1930–1970; 1980–2000
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 459 (24%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Francis Meharry Farm (c. 1875). 1555 East 500 North. Patton. Italianate. Razed.
2. Charles Henderson House (c. 1875). 446 North 1480 East. Patton. Italianate.