Crab Orchard, Illinois

Crab Orchard is an unincorporated census-designated place east of Marion in Williamson County, Illinois, located along an old route of Illinois Route 13 now designated Crab Orchard Road. The upper branches of Crab Orchard Creek which eventually feed into Crab Orchard Lake flow nearby and gave the community its name. For a brief time during the Civil War, it was known as Erwinsville, which is the name in the original plat of the village. In its early days, it had the nickname "Steal-Easy." The Crab Orchard post office was established 18 August 1853 and discontinued operations 15 May 1924. It's now served by the Marion post office.[1] As of the 2010 census, Crab Orchard has a population of 333.[2] Crab Orchard has an area of 1.430 square miles (3.70 km2); 1.395 square miles (3.61 km2) of this is land, and 0.035 square miles (0.091 km2) is water.

Crab Orchard
Census-designated place
Main road through Crab Orchard
Crab Orchard
Location of Crab Orchard within Illinois
Coordinates: 37°43′45″N 88°48′15″W
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyWilliamson
Area
 • Total1.43 sq mi (3.7 km2)
 • Land1.395 sq mi (3.61 km2)
 • Water0.035 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total333
 • Density230/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)618

Community services

Crab Orchard Community Unit School District #3 serves the community and surrounding area. The district provides classes from Kindergarten to 12th grade. The schools teams have been known as the "Trojans." The high school is an outgrowth of the old private Crab Orchard Academy begun by Professor James W. Turner in 1890 that operated until 1913. A two-year high school began in 1915, a junior year was added in the 1920s, and it became a four-year high school in 1938. School district consolidation led to the creation of the unit district in 1952. The current grade school building dates to about 1974, and the 7-12 grade building opened in October 2004.[3] In 2017, U.S. News & World Report recognized Crab Orchard High School in its National Rankings and awarded it a bronze medal.[4]

The Crab Orchard Public Library District serves the area with its main library in Crab Orchard and satellite services at Pittsburg and Creal Springs.[5]

Fire protection is provided by Fireman Jon Stephens along with the Williamson County Fire Protection District. Station #3 is located on the north edge of the community.[6] Treated water is provided by the private Coal Valley Water District.[7]

Notable people

References
  1. James N. Adams, comp. 1989. Illinois Place Names. Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Historical Society. 331.
  2. "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  3. "District Information." Crab Orchard CUSD #3 website. http://www.cocusd3.org/vnews/display.v/ART/48c571d2b99f3.
  4. U.S. News & World Report website. "Crab Orchard High School". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  5. "Who We Are" page. Crab Orchard Public Library District website. http://www.craborchard.lib.il.us/about-us.
  6. "WCFPD Station 3." Williamson County Fire Protection District website. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-02-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. http://www.manta.com/c/mmd9r6y/coal-valley-water-district
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