Knox County, Illinois

Founding: 1830 (declared in 1825)
Parent county: Fulton

Namesake: Henry Knox, Continental Amy general
Seat: Knoxville (1831–1873); Galesburg (1873–)

Land area: 716 square miles

Population (2020): 49,967

Population (historic): 7,060 (1840); 28,663 (1860); 38,344 (1880); 43,612 (1900); 51,336 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1830–1870; 1880–1980

Subdivisions: Four cities; ten villages; two CDPs; 21 townships

National Register listings: Eight

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 8,567 (35.8%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 58.1%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 9.2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 6.7%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 6.1%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,153
Average outbuilding value (1930): $1,986

Average farmhouse size (1940): 6.8 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,711
Average farm size (1920): 121.5 acres
Sources of settlement: Sweden, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Ireland, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia
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Knoxville (ex-seat)

Namesake: Henry Knox, Continental Amy general

Founding: 1831 (platting as Henderson); 1831 (post office); 1832 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 2,901

Population (historic): 798 (1850); 1,883 (1870); 1,728 (1890); 1,818 (1910); 1,867 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1830–1870; 1880–1900; 1920–1940; 1950–1980
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 283 (23.7%)
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Galesburg

Namesake: George Gale, Presbyterian minister

Founding: 1837 (platting); 1837 (post office); 1841 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 30,052

Population (historic): 323 (1850); 10,158 (1870); 15,264 (1890); 22,089 (1910); 28,830 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1837–1960; 1990s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 5,722 (40%)

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Outstanding Buildings

1. *John Woodmansee Farm (c. 1845). 121 Road 850 North. Cedar. Greek Revival.
2. *Urban Coy Farm (c. 1845). Road 800 North, west of Road 300 East. Cedar. Greek Revival. Razed.
3. *William Cramer Farm (1859). 938 Road 20. Chestnut.
4. *Waller Bailey Farm (c. 1870). 717 Road 18. Elba. Gothic Revival.
5. *Allen Hodges Farm (c. 1850). Pickard Road, north of Road 7. Galesburg. Greek Revival. Razed.
6. *William Swigart Farm (c. 1875). 1541 Road 20. Haw Creek. Italianate.
7. *John Vertrees Farm (c. 1855). 263 State Route 116. Indian Point. Greek Revival/Italianate. Razed.
8. *Walnut Grove / Albion Charles Farm (c. 1880). 1455 Knox Station Road. Knox. Stick/Italianate.
9. *James Grant Farm (c. 1845). 715 Road 7. Knox. Greek Revival.
10. *Alexander Donason Farm (c. 1870). 472 State Route 97. Maquon. Italianate.
11. *James Hammond Farm (1867). 2443 Road 36. Ontario. Italianate.
12. *James Crane Farm (c. 1870). Road 36, south of Road 35. Ontario. Italianate. Razed.
13. *John Rosenberg Farm (c. 1875). 909 Road 2800 North. Ontario. Italianate.
14. *Asa Haynes House (c. 1845). 693 Last Road. Orange.
15. *Isaac West Farm (c. 1865). 551 Road 18. Salem. Gothic Revival.
16. *Martin Mason House (c. 1860). 2159 Road 300 North. Salem. Italianate.
17. *William Widener Farm (c. 1870). 349 Road 2300 East. Salem. Italianate.
18. *Nathaniel Ives Farm (c. 1875). 1875 Road 2250 North. Victoria. Italianate.