Elwin was formed in 1859 on land owned by William Martin and Daniel H. Elwood. It was laid out after completion of the railroad.[4]
The name "Elwin" is an amalgamation of the surnames of founders Elwood and Martin.[5][6]
Geography
Elwin is located in central Macon County at 39°51′6″N88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417 (39.851636, -88.944228).[3] Centrally located within South Wheatland Township, it was once known as South Wheatland. It is 5 miles (8 km) south of the center of Decatur, the Macon county seat. U.S. Route 51 bypasses Elwin on its east side, with its old alignment passing through the center of the community as U.S. Route 51 Business. The two routes join south of Elwin and lead south 30 miles (48 km) to Pana.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elwin CDP has an area of 0.83 square miles (2.15 km2), all land.[1] The community is in the Spring Creek watershed, which flows north to the Sangamon River in Decatur.
