WARREN COUNTY
Population: 16,444 (2023 estimate)
Warren County, like many rural areas in Illinois, has experienced population decline over recent decades. Since 2000, the county’s population has decreased by approximately 14.2%, reflecting the broader challenges faced by rural communities across the state.
Key Facts
- Named For: General Joseph Warren, a hero of the Revolutionary War who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
- Historical Importance: Warren County was established in 1825 and became a vital part of west-central Illinois due to its agricultural production.
- Cultural Legacy: Known for its strong ties to farming, education, and small-town traditions.
Major Cities and Towns
Monmouth (Population: 8,920)
- Educational Hub: Home to Monmouth College, a liberal arts institution founded in 1853. The college is known for its commitment to academic excellence and historic roots in the Presbyterian Church.
- Agricultural Heritage: Hosts the annual Prime Beef Festival, celebrating the county’s farming traditions.
- Landmark: The Warren County Courthouse, built in 1895, is a stunning example of Romanesque Revival architecture and still serves as the center of county governance.
- Famous Residents: Wyatt Earp, the legendary lawman of the Wild West, was born in Monmouth in 1848.
Roseville (Population: 930)
Kirkwood (Population: 625)
- A small village that was once a significant railroad stop, showcasing the importance of railroads to Warren County’s development.
Other Towns: Little York (Population: 300), Alexis (shared with Mercer County, Population: ~850), and Berwick (Population: 150).
Key Landmarks and Attractions
- Monmouth College: A historic liberal arts college with a beautiful campus that includes the iconic Wallace Hall and the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.
- Warren County Historical Museum: Offers insights into the area’s history, from Native American artifacts to exhibits on 19th-century settlers and agricultural innovations.
- Prime Beef Festival: An annual event in Monmouth that brings together the community to celebrate Warren County’s agricultural roots.
- Wyatt Earp Birthplace: A private residence where the legendary lawman was born; while not open to the public, it is a significant historical marker.
Important Figures
- Wyatt Earp: Born in Monmouth, Earp is celebrated for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and his larger-than-life legacy in the American West.
- Robert G. Ingersoll: Known as “The Great Agnostic,” Ingersoll was an influential orator, political leader, and advocate for free thought who spent part of his early life in Warren County.
- Ronald Reagan: Lived in Monmouth for a while as a child when his father worked as a shoe salesman at the Colwell Department Store.
- Richard Speck: Mass murderer who lived in Monmouth briefly as a child, and again in the spring of 1966
The Forgottonia Project 