About Henry County
Henry County, Illinois is located in Northwestern Illinois, just 16
miles from the Mississippi River dividing Illinois and Iowa. Henry
County is primarily made up of rolling farmland, and is well known for
hog, corn, soybean and cattle production. The area is also dotted
with wooded areas, rivers, lakes and streams.
While much of the county is agricultural in nature, the cities and towns
of Henry County feature many manufacturing and business outlets.
The county is served by Interstate Highways 80 and 74, plus both freight
and passenger rail lines. In addition, Henry County is just 10
minutes from the Quad Cities International Airport.
Henry County features areas of great historical interest, including the
Bishop Hill Colony, the Hennepin Canal, the Great Sauk Trail and other
areas reflecting the rich heritage of the region.
Henry County's population in 2000 was 51,020, with the county covering
823.21 square miles.
History
Henry County was named for
Patrick Henry, a lawyer, orator and statesman of the Revolutionary
period, a member of the Continental Congress, and Governor of Virginia.
The
county was established Seven Years after Illinois became a state from
unorganized territory attached to Fulton County, Illinois on January 13,
1825. The original Henry County ran north to the border of Illinois and
Wisconsin and included parts of present-day Carroll, Jo Daviess, Knox,
Rock Island, and Whiteside counties.
In 1827, the formation of Jo Daviess County drastically reduced the size
of Henry County to about half its present day area. The present borders
of Henry County were not established until 1836, and until about 1837,
Henry County was attached to Knox County. The present county
organization was completed in 1837.
Henry County has known four county seats, including:
1837–1839 Richmond
1839–1840 Geneseo—Temporarily appointed to
house records.
1840–1843 Morristown
1843–present Cambridge
Current Weather
Conditions
Henry
County Townships, cities, towns and villages:
Bishop Hill
Colony
Bishop Hill, Illinois
was founded in 1846 by religious refugees from Sweden.
They built a prosperous communal society which thrived
even after the murder of their leader. Today, through
it's museums, restored buildings, artisans, shops and
restaurants, Bishop Hill remains a vibrant and
interesting community on the prairie. You are invited
to come visit any day.
City of Colona
History, government, services,
calendar, community, school district, meetings, etc.
City of Geneseo
The City Council, Mayor,
Superintendents and staff of the City of Geneseo would
like to welcome you to the community. You will find
Geneseo to be a great place to live, educate your
children and raise your family.
Orion Area Chamber of
Commerce
Information on the communities of
Andover, Lynn Center, Orion and Osco; Churches,
recreation, events, organizations,
Orion School
District #223, and more.
Henry County Quick Facts
Try this link to learn more
statistics on the people of Henry County.
Henry County Links
Henry County Tourism
Cities and
Towns Map
Henry
County Economic Development Partnership
Driving
Directions
Bi-State
Regional Commission
Kewanee Historical
Society
Henry
County 2003 Fact Sheet
Comprehensive demographic information about Henry
County from the
Henry County Economic Development
Partnership (HCEDP).
Cities and Towns Map
