Wenona, Illinois

Around 1852, the first buildings had been erected within the town, including living quarters for the rail-men, the freight depot, and passenger station. This same year, the house for Gr. W. Goodwell; Wenona's Station Agent and First Postmaster, was completed. Along with the Post Office, in June of 1854; the Presbyterian Church was set up. During the winter months of 1854, W.M Brown arrived to Wenona with a large stock of goods; A building was built to accommodate his sales. Wenona was laid off by the Illinois Central Railroad Company on May 15th, 1855.[3] AT the time, the town had around 9 buildings, and 50 permanent citizens. By 1858 it had grown rapidly, and was now a thrifty village of several hundred inhabitants, with two hotels, a number of stores, and other branches of business in proportion.

A great amount of grain was annually shipped at this point, and a considerable amount of trade was carried on with the surrounding country. The largest single industry contributing to the growth and prosperity of Wenona was its coal mine, located in the northeast quarter of the town, east of the Illinois Central tracks. The mine was opened under the Hamilton-Hodge-Monser partnership and was incorporated November 9, 1882, as the Wenona Coal Co. The partnership was soon dissolved and ownership passed on to E. L. Monser with Geo. S. Monser production manager and W. E. Monser sales manager. The vein of coal varied from 3' 6" to 4.' Peak employment numbered 550 miners and the average payroll approximated $30,000 per month, paid to employees in gold coin for a number of years, later cash at the mine and finally by checks at the bank. The mine operated from 1882 to 1924, at which time it was closed never to reopen. A new union scale was said to have made it unprofitable for the company to continue mining such a thin vein.

It was during the operation of the mine and World War I that the population of Wenona reached an all-time high of 1892 inhabitants. It was said by old timers that on the day after pay-day at the mines, the Chicago & Alton depot was so crowded with people that the railroad could not accommodate its out-of-town passengers.[3]

At the height of the Cold War, the highest spot in town played a role in US defense. Beginning in April 1958, atop the slag pile from the old Wenona coal mine, a radar station was developed which was equipped to detect incoming missiles and enemy airplanes potentially headed to Chicago or Milwaukee. The radar station was manned by approximately 20 troops from the 45th AAA Brigade and the 105th Signal Corps Detachment. It could detect aircraft as far up as 75,000 feet in any direction, and as far away as 200 nautical miles. The Wenona station was one of 10 stations set up in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin within 200 miles of Chicago in the Chicago Air Defense System. The radar station included two metal buildings and the radar antenna. The base of the slag pile was surrounded by a six-strand barbed-wire fence. Prior to constructing the buildings on top of the slag pile, 30 feet was graded off the top and a circular roadway was built around the slag pile from bottom to top. The following men served at the Wenona Radar Station and settled in Wenona after completion: Russ Martin, James Brown, and Howard Engler. The Army left Wenona in 1959, but before leaving town, planted the seeds on the mound which gave way to the beautiful forestry seen today.

The Wenona Coal Mine Historical Site was dedicated by members of the Wenona Historical Society on August 10, 2018 during the Wenona Days celebration. It is the hopes of the society that future generations may visit this site to learn about its unique history within the heart of the community.[4]

Wenona is located at 41°3′11″N 89°3′12″W (41.053080, −89.053415).[5] Most of the city lies in Marshall County, although a small portion extends into southern LaSalle County. In the 2000 census, all of Wenona's 1,065 residents lived in Marshall County. According to the 2010 census, Wenona has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.92 km²), all land.[6]

According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.9 km²), all land.[7]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,065 people, 453 households, and 278 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,583.9 people per square mile (613.7/km²). There were 504 housing units at an average density of 749.6 per square mile (290.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.65% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.19% Asian, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 453 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,711, and the median income for a family was $45,714. Males had a median income of $32,237 versus $20,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,951. About 4.2% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.