Bethalto, Illinois

Bethalto, Illinois
Village
From top, left to right: Old Bethalto Village Hall and log cabin, Old Downtown, Historic Klein's Store, the current Village Hall, St. Louis Regional Airport, and the Bethalto sign outside Village Hall
Seal
Motto:  Home of the Eagles
Location in Madison County, Illinois
Bethalto Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°54′15″N90°2′48″W / 38.90417°N 90.04667°W / 38.90417; -90.04667
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Madison
Townships	Wood River Fort Russell Foster
Government
• Mayor	Gary Bost [1]
Area [2]
• Total	7.64 sq mi (19.79 km2)
• Land	7.59 sq mi (19.66 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation [3]	532 ft (162 m)
Population  (2020) [4]
• Total	9,310
• Density	1,226.45/sq mi (473.52/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	62010 [5]
Area code	618
FIPS code	17-05599
GNIS feature ID	2398108 [3]
Wikimedia Commons	Bethalto, Illinois
Website	www.bethalto.com

Bethalto is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. Bethalto, like the rest of Madison County, is part of the Illinois Metro East portion of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

Early in its history, the village was a railway town along the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad. ^[6] In the 19th century, industry in the town included milling of grain from local farms ^[6] and coal mining. ^[7] In the early 20th century, the railroad was rerouted to go through nearby Edwardsville. ^[8] By the mid 20th century, the rail industry had pulled out entirely and the village became known as a bedroom town. ^[8]

At the 2020 census, the population of Bethalto was 9,310. ^[4]

History

Toponymy

The name "Bethalto" is commonly believed to be derived from Bethel (the original name of the town) and nearby Alton. ^{[6] [8]} The name "Bethel" came from the first church located in the area, with the Post Office Department requiring it to change its name to avoid confusion with the Clay County village of Bethel. ^[6]

Early history

Before pioneering American settlers arrived, there were numerous Native Americans in the area, and Kickapoo villages lined nearby Indian Creek. ^[9] In 1804, a man named Thomas Rattan arrived in the area from Ohio and established the first pioneer settlement, ^[9] often referred to in those days as "Rattan's Prairie". ^[10] The town was laid out by Joel U. Starkey, with the town plat being recorded June 23, 1854. ^[6]

Milling industry

In the late 1800s, the principal industry of Bethalto was milling. ^[6] In 1859, the President Mill and Elevator Company was established by James Neimrich. ^[6] The company was bought, sold and expanded various times over the years, eventually coming into the ownership of John W. Kaufman in 1881. ^[7] In either 1895 or 1896, the flour mill was destroyed in a fire. ^{[7] [11]} Kauffman declined to rebuild the mill, instead opting to purchase the Eagle flour mill of St. Louis. ^[11] The loss of the mill had a profound impact on the village. In 1890, the population of Bethalto was 879. ^[7] By 1900, it had fallen to 477 and in 1910 the population of the village was just 447. ^[7]

1996 plane crash

On June 19, 1996, a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet crashed into a home, shortly after taking off from St. Louis Regional Airport. ^[12] The plane originally belonged to the US Navy, but had been leased back to the manufacturer, McDonnell Douglas. ^[13] A spokesperson for McDonnell Douglass said the pilot had been practicing for an air show the next week in the Czech Republic. ^[12] One eyewitness stated, "He started doing an outside roll ... and when he got to the top of the roll something went wrong; he stalled or something. He started coming down, and I lost him behind some trees. Then I heard a thump―not an explosion, just a loud thump―and I knew what'd happened." ^[12]

Red Barn

A longtime landmark just north of Bethalto was an old barn at the intersection of Culp Lane and Bethalto Road, ^[14] known to residents as simply "the red barn". On July 26, 2012, the owner of the barn was spraying insecticides inside the barn to kill wasps. ^[15] After spraying for wasps, the owner left and at some point a fire broke out. ^[15] Fosterburg, Bethalto and Brighton volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze, but it was too late to save the structure. ^[14] It was believed the barn had been there for around a hundred years. ^[14] Often, residents would give directions based on the red barn. ^{[16] [17]}

Governance

Bethalto was incorporated in 1869 under a special charter, ^[18] and later incorporated again in 1873 under Illinois general law. ^[6] The village is governed by an elected village president and a board of village trustees, who are elected at-large. ^[6]

Geography

Further information: Geography of St. Louis

Sign in Meadowbrook, just east of Bethalto, marking 90ºW

Bethalto is located in northwestern Madison County at 38°54′15″N90°2′48″W / 38.90417°N 90.04667°W / 38.90417; -90.04667 (38.904197, -90.046579). ^[19] It is 9 miles (14 km) east of Alton, 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Edwardsville, the county seat, and 30 miles (48 km) north-northeast of St. Louis.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bethalto has a total area of 7.64 square miles (19.79 km²), of which 7.59 square miles (19.66 km²) are land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²), or 0.63%, are water. ^[2] Most of the village drains west to the East Fork of the Wood River, a southwest-flowing direct tributary of the Mississippi River. The east part of the village drains east to Indian Creek, a south-flowing tributary of Cahokia Creek, which joins the Mississippi in Hartford.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	628		—
1890	879		40.0%
1900	477		−45.7%
1910	447		−6.3%
1920	471		5.4%
1930	687		45.9%
1940	1,207		75.7%
1950	2,115		75.2%
1960	3,235		53.0%
1970	7,074		118.7%
1980	8,630		22.0%
1990	9,507		10.2%
2000	9,454		−0.6%
2010	9,521		0.7%
2020	9,310		−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [20]

As of the census ^[21] of 2000, there were 9,454 people, 3,810 households, and 2,647 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,437.3 inhabitants per square mile (554.9/km²). There were 4,007 housing units at an average density of 609.2 per square mile (235.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.84% White, 0.76% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 3,810 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $42,201, and the median income for a family was $50,764. Males had a median income of $41,512 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,697. About 6.5% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over. ^[22]

Transportation

Highways

Bethalto is connected to the region by several routes. Illinois Route 140 is the main east-west highway running through the village, leading east 10 miles (16 km) to Hamel and west 9 miles (14 km) to Alton. ^[23] Illinois Route 111 joins with Illinois Route 140 from the south, connecting the village to the rest of the Metro East. ^[23] It leads south 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to Wood River and west 7 miles (11 km) to the northern part of Alton. In October 2006, Illinois Route 255, a four-lane, controlled-access highway, was extended from Illinois Route 143 in Wood River to Fosterburg Road, passing through the west side of Bethalto. ^[24] IL 255 leads south 10 miles (16 km) to Interstate 255 in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, connecting Bethalto to the Interstate Highway System, and now leads northwest 9 miles (14 km) to U.S. Route 67 in Godfrey. ^[23]

St. Louis Regional Airport

Main article: St. Louis Regional Airport

Bethalto is home to St. Louis Regional Airport. ^[25] Originally called Civic Memorial Airport, St. Louis Regional was founded in 1946 with a ballot measure approving the creation of the Civic Memorial Airport Authority. ^[26] The airport is home to various services, including West Star Aviation, a fixed-base operator. ^[27]

Education

Public schools in Bethalto are operated by Bethalto Community Unit School District 8, which was founded in 1950 along with Civic Memorial High School. ^[28] The village is also home to Our Lady Queen of Peace, a Catholic school founded in 1962 under Father Thomas Manning, ^[29] and a Lutheran school also founded in 1962, Zion Lutheran. ^[30] Both parochial schools offer kindergarten through eighth grade classes. ^[31]

Religious organizations

Bethalto is home to a number of religious organizations, consisting of both small and large congregations.

Churches that serve Bethalto are listed here in alphabetical order: ^[32]

• Assembly of God
• Bethalto United Methodist
• Bethalto United Presbyterian
• Bible Baptist Church
• Church of God
• Church of the Nazarene (IL District Office)
• Cornerstone Church
• Concordia Lutheran
• Cottage Hills Baptist Church
• First Baptist Church
• First Church of God
• First Christian Church
• First Southern Baptist Church
• Grace Community Church
• Heart's Harvest
• Landmark Worship Center
• Lifebrook Church
• New Witness Fellowship
• Meadowbrook Assembly of God
• Metro Presbyterian Church
• Our Lady Queen of Peace
• Riverbend Calvary Chapel
• Lifepoint Church - Bethalto Campus
• St. Paul's United Methodist
• Zion Lutheran

Parks and recreation

Central Park

Central Park is in the center of the village, behind the current village hall, and sits on 10+1⁄3 acres of land purchased from New York Central Railroad when the rail line closed in Bethalto. ^[33] The park consists of a walking path, band stand, lighted tennis courts, baseball fields, and a basketball court. The Bethalto Homecoming is held at the park every year. ^[34]

Bethalto Arboretum

Adjacent to Central Park is the Bethalto Arboretum. This arboretum was developed in 1966 on former railroad property, much like Central Park. ^[35] A directory of trees and bushes contained in the arboretum may be viewed in the mayor's and clerk's offices. There are also many plaques, in memory of Bethalto's notable persons, placed next to many of the trees in the park. A set of rail wheels on top of a short slab of railroad track lie in the center of the park. The short piece of track remains in its original position as part of the old railroad tracks that existed to transport coal to and from the area. In April 2021, the arboretum was recognized with ArbNet accreditation. ^[36] A time capsule was buried at the dedication ceremony, and a commemorative plaque sits at the entrance.

Steve Bryant Park

Known as "Culp Lane Park" until 2014, Bryant Park is on the northwest end of town. Features include a fishing lake, a children's play area, walking paths, pavilions, a playground, and stretches of attractive landscaping. The park was named for former mayor Steve Bryant, who was instrumental in transforming the town lagoon into a family park. ^[37]

Bethalto Sports Complex

The Bethalto Sports Complex is located on the north side of town just off Culp Lane. The complex was completed in 2006 and is made up of two baseball fields, two softball fields, two soccer fields, a grandstand, and a concession stand. The complex, which is maintained by the Village of Bethalto, replaced the old baseball and soccer fields located at Civic Memorial High School for varsity and junior varsity baseball, softball and soccer teams. The Indians, the Bethalto Legion team, also calls the complex home.

Southside Park

Southside Park (sometimes referred to as the "Field of Dreams") is located on the south side of town in the Chateaux residential area. The complex consists of four lighted diamonds with a concession stand in the center. The fields are primarily set up to handle all of the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America youth baseball and softball games. The fields are also home to a number of private and select league baseball teams that play there every summer. ^[32]

• 
  Bandstand in Central Park
• 
  Entrance to the arboretum
• 
  Steve Bryant Park
• 
  Bethalto Sports Complex

Notable people

• Wilbur Trimpe (1906-1996), first superintendent of Bethalto Community Unit School District 8, third president of Lewis and Clark Community College ^[38]
• Steve Davis (born 1949), former representative in the Illinois General Assembly ^[39]
• Alison Krauss, bluegrass-country singer and musician, often rehearsed in Bethalto with Mike Harman and the Harman Family Bluegrass Band. Mike Harman was an original member of Union Station. ^[40]
• Joe Odom (born 1979), American football player for the Chicago Bears ^[41]
• Brent Madison (born 1989), producer of The Crusades (2023 film). ^[42]

References

1. "Bethalto And East Alton Will Have New Mayors At The Helm". Riverbender.com. April 6, 2021. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
2. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bethalto, Illinois
4. "P1. Race – Bethalto village, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
5. "Bethalto IL ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
6. Norton, Flagg & Hoerner 1912, p. 612.
7. Norton, Flagg & Hoerner 1912, p. 613.
8. "No Way to Go But Up--And It Did". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. April 30, 1967. p. 114. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021– via Newspapers.com. Nearby Bethalto, Ill., Dying After Railroad and Highway Bypassed It, Fighting Back
9. Allsman & Bryant 2013, p. 9.
10. Norton, Flagg & Hoerner 1912, p. 176.
11. "Will not rebuild at Bethalto". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. May 2, 1895. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
12. Salter, Jim (June 19, 1996). "Fighter Jet Crashes Into a House in Neighborhood Near St. Louis". The Associated Press . Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
13. "F-18 test plane crashes near East St. Louis". CNN . Archived from the original on April 20, 2001. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
14. Millitzer, Joe (July 26, 2012). "Bethalto Barn Burns To The Ground". Fox 2 News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
15. "Well-known red barn destroyed in fire". The Telegraph. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
16. "Open Sunday 1-3 p.m." Alton Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. August 14, 1988. p. 36. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021– via NewspaperArchive.com.
17. "Open 1:00-3:00 Sunday". Alton Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. March 29, 1998. p. 46. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021– via NewspaperArchive.com.
18. Souvenir History for the Bethalto Centennial. 1954. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
19. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
20. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
22. "Description of Illinois". Illinois.com Inc. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
23. General Highway Map: Madison County, Illinois (PDF) (Map). Illinois Department of Transportation. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
24. "Long-awaited road is ready for opening". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. October 8, 2006. p. D001. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
25. St. Louis Regional Airport, official web site homepage
26. "Specimen Official Ballot Civic Memorial Airport Authority". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. April 1, 1956. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
27. St. Louis Regional Airport, official web site services page
28. Allsman & Bryant 2013, p. 89.
29. "Father Manning to Mark 25th Year in Priesthood". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. May 8, 1962. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021– via NewspaperArchive.com.
30. "Who We Are". Zion Lutheran School. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
31. "Schools in Bethalto Area". Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
32. Bethalto Village Brochure Archived May 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved March 5, 2011.
33. "Landmark Tree Cleared from Bethalto Park". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. December 28, 1961. p. 7. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
34. "Parks-Village of Bethalto". Village of Bethalto - Official Site. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
35. "Arboretum First Step in Bethalto Beautification Plan". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. July 7, 1966. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
36. White, Jason (April 30, 2021). "Bethalto Marks Arboretum Dedication". RiverBender.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
37. "Bethalto park dedicated to former mayor". Advantage News. September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
38. "Wilbur R.L. Trimpe Obituary". Alton Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. April 17, 1996. p. 51. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021– via NewspaperArchive.com.
39. "Davis, Steve". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
40. "Photo feature: Sawing on the Strings". Advantage News. Alton, Illinois. June 17, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
41. Jeanguenat, John (April 28, 2003). "Chicago drafts Odom in sixth round". The Exponent. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
42. "Brent Madison". IMDB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.

Bibliography

• Norton, W.T.; Flagg, N.G.; Hoerner, J.S. (1912). Centennial History of Madison County, Illinois, and Its People, 1812 to 1912 . Retrieved June 25, 2021.
• Allsman, Jeffrey W.; Bryant, Mayor Steve A. (2013). Images of America: Bethalto. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4671-1057-0.

External links

• Official website
• His Story of Bethalto - Henry W. Zimmermann
• St. Louis Regional Airport