Prior to European contact, the area where the village stands today was inhabited by the people of the Sac and Fox Nation. It is believed that white settlers had moved into the area starting in the early 1800s due to the prominence of lead in the earth. These mines that were built in Jo Daviess County are considered to be what triggered the 1832 Black Hawk War and the devastating Bad Axe Massacre. The Apple River Fort was built in response to this conflict and on June 24 a battle ensued. The injury and death toll is unknown.[4] This is considered the last Native American offensive battle east of the Mississippi River.
During the battle, it is thought that a woman named Elizabeth Armstrong rallied the locals of the fort to continue the fight and assist the soldiers in any way they could. As a result of the bravery of her and the other women in the camp, the community was renamed from simply the Apple River Settlement to Elizabeth.[5]
Elizabeth station seen around 1900.
Elizabeth was incorporated as a village in 1868.[6]
As of the 2000 United States Census,[8] there were 682 people, 309 households, and 177 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,554.8 inhabitants per square mile (600.3/km2). There were 343 housing units at an average density of 782 per square mile (302/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 98.97% White, 0.15% African American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.15% of the population.
There were 309 households, out of which 21% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 42.4% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.74.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 17.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $33,587, and the median income for a family was $41,354. Males had a median income of $27,917 versus $23,636 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,235. About 4.5% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
Although a settlement of modest size, Elizabeth incorporated in 1868, has a long history of printed media. It was first served by the Elizabeth News, starting at the latest in 1889.[13] In 1913 or 1914 the paper changed its name to the Elizabeth Weekly News. The Elizabeth Weekly continued its publication until 1979.[14] A second newspaper, the Elizabeth Times, was published in the village from 1937 through 1955.[15]
Former U.S. Congressman John C. McKenzie lived most of his life in Elizabeth and is buried at Elizabeth Cemetery.
Leo E. Allen, 14-term U.S. Congressman, was born in Elizabeth.
Notable multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird has a home on a farm just outside this village.
Wisconsin musical act Phox is currently writing / recording their second album in Elizabeth. No concrete details, including a release date, have been released.[17]
^"History of the Apple River Fort". Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Sites. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^"Elizabeth History". Elizabeth. Village of Elizabeth. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^"About Elizabeth". Elizabeth. Village of Elizabeth. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^"Station: Elizabeth, IL". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
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