Carbondale, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County
, in the state of Illinois
, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13
and U.S. Route 51
, 96 miles (154 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri
, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest
. Carbondale is the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University
.
As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 25,902, and is the 20th-most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. In addition, the city is the most populous in Southern Illinois, outside of the Metro-East
area, and the most populous city in the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois Combined Statistical Area and the Metro Lakeland
area. The CSA has 126,575 residents, the sixth most populous Combined statistical area
in Illinois.
and De Soto
) and two county seats (Murphysboro
and Marion
). Brush named Carbondale for the large deposit of coal in the area. The first train through Carbondale was on the main line north from Cairo
on Independence Day 1854.
On April 29, 1866, one of the first formal Memorial Day
observations was held at the city's Woodlawn Cemetery. Local resident General John A. Logan
gave the principal address.
By the time of the Civil War
, Carbondale had become both a regional center for business and transportation, and an educational center with the founding of Carbondale College (which became Southern Illinois College in 1869). Carbondale won the bid for the new teacher training school for the region, and Southern Illinois Normal University opened in 1874. This gave the town new industry, new citizens, and a supplement to public schools. In 1947, the name was changed to Southern Illinois University
which now has 21,000 students enrolled.
In the early 20th Century Carbondale was known as the "Athens of Egypt" thanks to Southern Illinois Normal University, as SIU was then known, and the region's moniker of Egypt, or Little Egypt
. The phrase dates to at least 1903, when the local paper copied a social item from the Mt. Vernon News. "Mrs. Dr. McAnally, nee Pace, of Carbondale has returned to the Athens of Egypt after a week's visit with her sisters..." By 1922, the Carbondale Free Press was using the phrase on its flag.
, at 415 feet (126.5 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²), of which, 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. The total area is 2.06% water.
type and the humid subtropical climate
type (Köppen
Dfa and Cfa, respectively). Neither large mountains nor large bodies of water are available to moderate its temperature. Thus, the city experiences extremes in both heat and cold. There are four distinct seasons:
Spring is the wettest of the seasons and also the most unstable, producing severe weather from thunderstorm
s to winter storm
s. When cold arctic air from Canada
mixes with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico
powerful super cell storms can originate. These storms are often severe thunderstorms with large hail
, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
Summers are often hot and humid. The humidity makes the heat index rise to temperatures well above 100 °F (37.8 °C) for many days. Temperatures reach 100 °F (37.8 °C) on average about 1 or 2 days per year and reach 90 °F (32.2 °C) on average of 38 to 40 days per year.
Fall brings milder temperatures with lower humidity. Large bouts of rainfall can be common. The first snow flurries usually start to fall around mid to late November
.
Winters are usually cold and often times snowy, with temperatures well below freezing. Highs will be below 32 °F (0 °C) for an average of 20 days per year. Lows will dip below 32 °F (0 °C) for an average of 110 days per year. Temperatures drop below 0 °F (-17.8 °C) for about 4 to 5 nights per year. Although deep freezes are common, thaws are usually frequent.
The average annual temperature is 54.6 °F (12.6 °C), and average precipitation is 45.9 inches (1,165.9 mm). The official record low is -25 °F in January 1977, and the records high is 113 °F (45 °C) in August 1930.
Carbondale receives thunderstorms on an average of 50 days per year. Particularly in the spring, these storms can often be severe, with high winds , damaging hail, and tornadoes.
is 2,152.0 people per square mile (830.9/km²). There are 11,005 housing units at an average density of 925.2 per square mile (357.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 66.08% White, 23.14% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 6.67% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. Race, household, age, and income data does not include corrections introduced through Count Question Review updates that added 4,916 people and 37 households to the official 2000 population count for the city of Carbondale.
There are 9,981 households out of which 17.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.1% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% are non-families. 43.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.78.
In the city the population is spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 35.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,882, and the median income for a family is $34,601. Males have a median income of $30,217 versus $24,114 for females. The per capita income
for the city is $13,346. 21.4% of the population and 13.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
. There are a total of seven elected city officials: a mayor and six city council members elected at-large
for four-year staggered terms. The City Manager, a professional hired by the city council, appoints the department heads. The city provides services such as police, fire, development services, public works, and public library. Several boards and commissions allow for citizen participation, helping to bridge the gap between the residents and the government. Carbondale is a zoned, home rule
municipality. In 2010, the city approved a new comprehensive plan that lays out goals for the future and ways to accomplish these goals.
On April 5, 2011, Joel Fritzler was elected mayor for a four-year term.
, the city has a variety of unique cultural institutions. PBS
and NPR broadcasting stations (WSIU) are affiliated with the university. Carbondale also is home to WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois
, and the Big Muddy Independent Media Center.
There are two daily newspapers, The Southern Illinoisan and the university's Daily Egyptian; two weeklies, the Carbondale Times and the Nightlife
; and a bi-weekly Heartland Women.
SIU has a teaching museum on campus, the University Museum, which has 60,000 artifacts in its collection and hosts traveling shows from known artists. In addition to the University Museum, there is the African American Museum and The Science Center. Theater-goers can see both professional and student-produced plays and performances at the university's McLeod and Kleinau Theaters. SIUC is also home to the largest auditorium in Southern Illinois, Shryock Auditorium. Shryock Auditorium has brought in many performing artists, such as B.B. King, the Supremes
, Ray Charles
, and Judy Collins
, along with orchestras and other musical productions. Theater-goers can also attend off-campus productions by The Jackson County Stage Company (Stage Company). In 2007, the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts (CCA) partnered to purchase and renovate the Varsity Theater, which had been vacant since 2003, into the Varsity Center for the Arts (VCA). The VCA is now the performing home of the Stage Company and also supports a variety of other fine arts and performances through the CCA.
Civic action is encouraged by groups such as Carbondale Conversations for Community Action (the local implementation of Study Circles). There are several lodges and clubs, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks, Rotary, and the A.F.A.M (Freemasons).
The Women's Center, in continuous service since its founding in 1972, was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.
Spirituality finds expression in Carbondale in churches of a variety of Christian denominations, a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, two mosques, a Jewish congregation, a Sufi community, and two Buddhist organizations — the Shawnee Dharma Group and the Sunyata Center. In April 2011 ground was broken to build a Hindu temple. The Interfaith Center provides space for intercultural exchange and personal growth. It is also an education center to help the community become more ecologically conscious, understand how to incorporate better practices into daily life, and set goals for the future.
Carbondale is also sometimes referred to as a "Town of Poets" for their flourishing poetry community. Notable poets include Rodney Jones
, Judy Jordan
, Allison Joseph
, and the Transpoetic Playground collective.
Carbondale is adjacent to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Shawnee National Forest, and Giant City State Park. There are 14 parks in the area. Located on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Carbondale is adjacent to a number of venues for outdoor activities. Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, Piney Creek Ravine, Pomona Natural Bridge
, Garden of the Gods, and Trail of Tears State Park are nearby areas that offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Five minutes south of Carbondale is the city reservoir, Cedar Lake, which is open to kayaking and canoeing. The north access features several dramatic rock bluffs and secluded bays. Other lakes nearby include Little Grassy Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake
, Crab Orchard Lake
, and Kinkaid Lake
. Another more remote location is Cache River Swamp, the northernmost cypress swamp in North America. The surrounding areas also offer hiking and mountain biking.
The Shawnee National Forest is also home to many wineries. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail visits twelve vineyards in scenic settings, offering local wines and dining facilities. Several of the vineyards are bed-and-breakfasts or offer cabins for close accommodations.
, and especially after the Kent State shootings
, massive anti-war demonstrations took place on the SIU campus and on the streets of Carbondale. They resulted in the closure of SIU, more than $100,000 of property damage, more than 400 arrests, and the deployment of the National Guard to restore order.
Several local organizations are concerned with peace, justice, and the environment, including the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois/Fellowship of Reconciliation
, the Shawnee Green Party, the Student Environmental Center, the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, and local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union
, the Sierra Club
, and the National Audubon Society
.
In 2001 the city was the location for the national Green Party Congress
.
and Illinois Route 13
. Interstate 57
is accessible to the east on Route 13 at Marion
, and to the south on Rt. 51 near Dongola
. Interstate 64
is accessible to the north on Rt. 51. Interstate 24
is accessible six miles south of Marion on I-57. The city is 331 highway miles from Chicago, Illinois, 96 highway miles from St. Louis, Missouri
, and 213 highway miles from Memphis, Tennessee
. (A historical note, when Illinois originally developed the state highway system in the 1920s, what's now Rt. 51, was then Illinois Route 2
which ran the length of the state).
, where one commercial airline service provides passenger service to St. Louis
on four flights each day. The Southern Illinois Airport is located northwest of the city and offers private aviation services and is home to SIU's aviation program. On 2 April 2010, state and university officials broke ground on a long-awaited Transportation Education Center on the airport grounds.
, the US passenger rail system, provides service to Carbondale with three trains daily to and from Chicago, and one train daily to and from Memphis and New Orleans.
Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans
, departs Carbondale daily with service to Memphis
, Jackson
, and New Orleans (with many stations along the way). Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana
, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago
. Carbondale is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki
, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini
, daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and the Illini operate to Chicago, originating and terminating in Carbondale.
Amtrak shares tracks with the Canadian National Railway
which provides freight service to the city's industrial park. The railroad runs along the original line of the Illinois Central Railroad
that began service in 1854 in Carbondale.
, Japan (former town of Nakajo
and the city of Carbondale became sister cities in the past) Tainan City, Taiwan
Shimla
, Himachal Pradesh
, India
Source
Jackson County
Jackson County is the name of 24 counties in the United States:* Jackson County, Alabama* Jackson County, Arkansas* Jackson County, Colorado* Jackson County, Florida* Jackson County, Georgia* Jackson County, Illinois* Jackson County, Indiana...
, in the state of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13
Illinois Route 13
Illinois Route 13 is a major east–west state route in southern Illinois. Illinois 13 has its western terminus at Centreville at Illinois Route 157 and its eastern terminus at the Kentucky state line and the Ohio River, at Kentucky Route 56. This is a distance of .- Route description :Illinois...
and U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39...
, 96 miles (154 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest
The Shawnee National Forest, located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois, consists of approximately 280,000 acres of federally managed lands. In descending order of land area it is located in parts of Pope, Jackson, Union, Hardin, Alexander, Saline, Gallatin, Johnson, and Massac...
. Carbondale is the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
.
As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 25,902, and is the 20th-most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. In addition, the city is the most populous in Southern Illinois, outside of the Metro-East
Metro-East
Metro East is a region in Illinois that comprises the eastern suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It encompasses five Southern Illinois counties in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. The region's most populated city is Belleville at 45,000 residents...
area, and the most populous city in the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois Combined Statistical Area and the Metro Lakeland
Metro Lakeland
Metro Lakeland is a name that was coined for an area of southern Illinois that is centered around the intersections of Interstate 57, Interstate 24, and Illinois Route 13 — a four-lane east-west highway connecting the communities of Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, Marion, and Harrisburg...
area. The CSA has 126,575 residents, the sixth most populous Combined statistical area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
in Illinois.
History
In August 1852, Daniel Harmon Brush, John Asgill Conner, and Dr. William Richart bought a 360 acres (1.5 km²) parcel of land between two proposed railroad sites (MakandaMakanda, Illinois
Makanda is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 561. In the early 20th Century it used the slogan "Star of Egypt."Makanda is part of the Carbondale, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area....
and De Soto
De Soto, Illinois
De Soto is a village in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,653 at the 2000 census.De Soto was largely destroyed by the Great Tri-State Tornado of 1925. Sixty-nine people died in De Soto when approximately 30% of the town was destroyed, and of this total 33 were children...
) and two county seats (Murphysboro
Murphysboro, Illinois
Murphysboro is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,970 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.-Geography:Murphysboro is located at ....
and Marion
Marion, Illinois
The city of Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois. The 2010 census counted 17,193 residents, making Marion the 25th most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, in Illinois, and the second most populous city in Southern Illinois, outside of the Metro-East, behind...
). Brush named Carbondale for the large deposit of coal in the area. The first train through Carbondale was on the main line north from Cairo
Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is the southernmost city in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the county seat of Alexander County. Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The rivers converge at Fort Defiance State Park, an American Civil War fort that was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant...
on Independence Day 1854.
On April 29, 1866, one of the first formal Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
observations was held at the city's Woodlawn Cemetery. Local resident General John A. Logan
John A. Logan
John Alexander Logan was an American soldier and political leader. He served in the Mexican-American War and was a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He served the state of Illinois as a state senator, congressman and senator and was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President...
gave the principal address.
By the time of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Carbondale had become both a regional center for business and transportation, and an educational center with the founding of Carbondale College (which became Southern Illinois College in 1869). Carbondale won the bid for the new teacher training school for the region, and Southern Illinois Normal University opened in 1874. This gave the town new industry, new citizens, and a supplement to public schools. In 1947, the name was changed to Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
which now has 21,000 students enrolled.
In the early 20th Century Carbondale was known as the "Athens of Egypt" thanks to Southern Illinois Normal University, as SIU was then known, and the region's moniker of Egypt, or Little Egypt
Little Egypt (region)
-Early history:The earliest inhabitants of Illinois were thought to have arrived about 12,000 B.C. They were hunter-gatherers, but developed a primitive system of agriculture. After 1000 AD, their agricultural surpluses enabled them to develop complex, hierarchical societies...
. The phrase dates to at least 1903, when the local paper copied a social item from the Mt. Vernon News. "Mrs. Dr. McAnally, nee Pace, of Carbondale has returned to the Athens of Egypt after a week's visit with her sisters..." By 1922, the Carbondale Free Press was using the phrase on its flag.
Geography
Carbondale is located at 37°43′35"N 89°13′13"W (37.726418, -89.220270). It is in the watershed of the Big Muddy RiverBig Muddy River
The Big Muddy River is a river in southern Illinois. It joins the Mississippi River south of Murphysboro. The Big Muddy has been dammed near Benton, forming Rend Lake.The Big Muddy has a mud bottom for most of its length.-Hydrography:...
, at 415 feet (126.5 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 16.1 square miles (41.7 km²), of which, 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it is water. The total area is 2.06% water.
Climate
Carbondale lies in the transitional zone between the humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
type and the humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
type (Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfa and Cfa, respectively). Neither large mountains nor large bodies of water are available to moderate its temperature. Thus, the city experiences extremes in both heat and cold. There are four distinct seasons:
Spring is the wettest of the seasons and also the most unstable, producing severe weather from thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
s to winter storm
Winter storm
A winter storm is an event in which the dominant varieties of precipitation are formed that only occur at low temperatures, such as snow or sleet, or a rainstorm where ground temperatures are low enough to allow ice to form...
s. When cold arctic air from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
mixes with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
powerful super cell storms can originate. These storms are often severe thunderstorms with large hail
Hail
Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is referred to as a hail stone. Hail stones on Earth consist mostly of water ice and measure between and in diameter, with the larger stones coming from severe thunderstorms...
, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
Summers are often hot and humid. The humidity makes the heat index rise to temperatures well above 100 °F (37.8 °C) for many days. Temperatures reach 100 °F (37.8 °C) on average about 1 or 2 days per year and reach 90 °F (32.2 °C) on average of 38 to 40 days per year.
Fall brings milder temperatures with lower humidity. Large bouts of rainfall can be common. The first snow flurries usually start to fall around mid to late November
November
November is the 11th month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of four months with the length of 30 days. November was the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar...
.
Winters are usually cold and often times snowy, with temperatures well below freezing. Highs will be below 32 °F (0 °C) for an average of 20 days per year. Lows will dip below 32 °F (0 °C) for an average of 110 days per year. Temperatures drop below 0 °F (-17.8 °C) for about 4 to 5 nights per year. Although deep freezes are common, thaws are usually frequent.
The average annual temperature is 54.6 °F (12.6 °C), and average precipitation is 45.9 inches (1,165.9 mm). The official record low is -25 °F in January 1977, and the records high is 113 °F (45 °C) in August 1930.
Carbondale receives thunderstorms on an average of 50 days per year. Particularly in the spring, these storms can often be severe, with high winds , damaging hail, and tornadoes.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 25,597 people, 10,018 households, and 3,493 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 2,152.0 people per square mile (830.9/km²). There are 11,005 housing units at an average density of 925.2 per square mile (357.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 66.08% White, 23.14% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 6.67% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. Race, household, age, and income data does not include corrections introduced through Count Question Review updates that added 4,916 people and 37 households to the official 2000 population count for the city of Carbondale.
There are 9,981 households out of which 17.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.1% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% are non-families. 43.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.78.
In the city the population is spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 35.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,882, and the median income for a family is $34,601. Males have a median income of $30,217 versus $24,114 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city is $13,346. 21.4% of the population and 13.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 32.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government
The city of Carbondale has a council-manager governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
. There are a total of seven elected city officials: a mayor and six city council members elected at-large
At-Large
At-large is a designation for representative members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent the whole membership of the body , rather than a subset of that membership...
for four-year staggered terms. The City Manager, a professional hired by the city council, appoints the department heads. The city provides services such as police, fire, development services, public works, and public library. Several boards and commissions allow for citizen participation, helping to bridge the gap between the residents and the government. Carbondale is a zoned, home rule
Home rule
Home rule is the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been devolved to it by the central government....
municipality. In 2010, the city approved a new comprehensive plan that lays out goals for the future and ways to accomplish these goals.
On April 5, 2011, Joel Fritzler was elected mayor for a four-year term.
Culture
In addition to Southern Illinois UniversitySouthern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
, the city has a variety of unique cultural institutions. PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
and NPR broadcasting stations (WSIU) are affiliated with the university. Carbondale also is home to WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois
WDBX
WDBX is a radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Carbondale, Illinois, USA, the station serves the Marion-Carbondale area. WDBX is owned by Heterodyne Broadcasting Co., a 5013 not-for-profit corporation.-References:...
, and the Big Muddy Independent Media Center.
There are two daily newspapers, The Southern Illinoisan and the university's Daily Egyptian; two weeklies, the Carbondale Times and the Nightlife
Nightlife (Carbondale, Illinois)
Nightlife is a free alternative newsweekly serving Southern Illinois. It publishes news and commentary, music, arts and leisure, classifieds and comics on a weekly basis, excluding spring, fall and winter breaks during which time a single issue will span multiple weeks.Regular features include an...
; and a bi-weekly Heartland Women.
SIU has a teaching museum on campus, the University Museum, which has 60,000 artifacts in its collection and hosts traveling shows from known artists. In addition to the University Museum, there is the African American Museum and The Science Center. Theater-goers can see both professional and student-produced plays and performances at the university's McLeod and Kleinau Theaters. SIUC is also home to the largest auditorium in Southern Illinois, Shryock Auditorium. Shryock Auditorium has brought in many performing artists, such as B.B. King, the Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, and Judy Collins
Judy Collins
Judith Marjorie "Judy" Collins is an American singer and songwriter, known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records ; and for her social activism. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado.-Musical career:Collins was born and raised in Seattle, Washington...
, along with orchestras and other musical productions. Theater-goers can also attend off-campus productions by The Jackson County Stage Company (Stage Company). In 2007, the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts (CCA) partnered to purchase and renovate the Varsity Theater, which had been vacant since 2003, into the Varsity Center for the Arts (VCA). The VCA is now the performing home of the Stage Company and also supports a variety of other fine arts and performances through the CCA.
Civic action is encouraged by groups such as Carbondale Conversations for Community Action (the local implementation of Study Circles). There are several lodges and clubs, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks, Rotary, and the A.F.A.M (Freemasons).
The Women's Center, in continuous service since its founding in 1972, was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.
Spirituality finds expression in Carbondale in churches of a variety of Christian denominations, a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, two mosques, a Jewish congregation, a Sufi community, and two Buddhist organizations — the Shawnee Dharma Group and the Sunyata Center. In April 2011 ground was broken to build a Hindu temple. The Interfaith Center provides space for intercultural exchange and personal growth. It is also an education center to help the community become more ecologically conscious, understand how to incorporate better practices into daily life, and set goals for the future.
Carbondale is also sometimes referred to as a "Town of Poets" for their flourishing poetry community. Notable poets include Rodney Jones
Rodney Jones
Rodney Jones is an American poet and professor of English at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Jones was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the winner of the 1989 National Book Critics Circle Award. His other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Peter I.B...
, Judy Jordan
Judy Jordan
-Life:She grew up on a small farm near the Carolina border.Her parents were sharecroppers, and she was picking cotton by the time she was 5. She was the first member of her family to attend college, with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in 1990, and a Master of Fine Arts degree...
, Allison Joseph
Allison Joseph
Allison Joseph is an American poet, editor and professor. She is author of six poetry collections, most recently, My Father's Kites: Poems . She grew up in Toronto and the Bronx. She graduated from Kenyon College with a B.A., and from Indiana University with an M.F.A...
, and the Transpoetic Playground collective.
Retail
The city's business districts include several large shopping malls, featuring a mixture of national chain stores and locally owned businesses. In addition, Carbondale is home to many small shops and restaurants, many of them located in the downtown area. The downtown district is supported by Carbondale Main Street, which has listings and information about individual businesses. Because of the large student population in the city, there is a great variety of restaurants, featuring many nationalities of cuisine. Several bars and coffeehouses offer live music, poetry readings, and other entertainment. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce offers information on local businesses in over 60 categories.Celebrations
Carbondale is known for a number of yearly festivals, including the Lights Fantastic parade in December, the Big Muddy Film Festival (February/March), the Southern Illinois Irish Festival (April), the Indian celebration of Diwali (December), the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (April), the Sunset Concerts (a summer series of free outdoor concerts on the Southern Illinois University campus and in city parks), and Brown Bag Concerts (a spring and fall series of free outdoor concerts in the Town Square Pavilion).Recreation
Carbondale has 18 public tennis courts, as well as the Superblock, which is a sports multi-complex with baseball, softball, soccer, football, and track fields. The Carbondale Park District maintains seven parks and an indoor pool for public use. In 2010, the park district opened a new "spray park" in Attucks Park. Southern Illinois University's Recreation Center is open to the public; it provides swimming, bowling, rock climbing walls, tennis, basketball, an indoor track, racquetball, weight training, and a variety of exercise equipment.Carbondale is adjacent to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Shawnee National Forest, and Giant City State Park. There are 14 parks in the area. Located on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Carbondale is adjacent to a number of venues for outdoor activities. Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, Piney Creek Ravine, Pomona Natural Bridge
Pomona Natural Bridge
The Pomona Natural Bridge is a natural bridge approximately 30m long, 3m wide, and 3m thick, located near Pomona, IL. It is in the Shawnee National Forest.-References:* *...
, Garden of the Gods, and Trail of Tears State Park are nearby areas that offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Five minutes south of Carbondale is the city reservoir, Cedar Lake, which is open to kayaking and canoeing. The north access features several dramatic rock bluffs and secluded bays. Other lakes nearby include Little Grassy Lake, Devils Kitchen Lake
Devils Kitchen Lake
Devil's Kitchen Lake is an 810-acre reservoir in southern Illinois, created by the damming of Grassy Creek, a tributary of Crab Orchard Lake and the Big Muddy River. Most of the lake is located in Williamson County, southwest of Marion, Illinois. The lake is accessible from Interstate 57. Two...
, Crab Orchard Lake
Crab Orchard Lake
Crab Orchard Lake is a 6,965-acre reservoir in Williamson County, Illinois. It is the centerpiece of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge...
, and Kinkaid Lake
Kinkaid Lake
Kinkaid Lake is a reservoir located in southwestern Illinois. Entirely within Jackson County, the lake is approximately northwest of Murphysboro and southeast of St. Louis.-History and ownership:...
. Another more remote location is Cache River Swamp, the northernmost cypress swamp in North America. The surrounding areas also offer hiking and mountain biking.
The Shawnee National Forest is also home to many wineries. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail visits twelve vineyards in scenic settings, offering local wines and dining facilities. Several of the vineyards are bed-and-breakfasts or offer cabins for close accommodations.
Activism
Probably due to the presence of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale residents have a tradition of political activism. During the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and especially after the Kent State shootings
Kent State shootings
The Kent State shootings—also known as the May 4 massacre or the Kent State massacre—occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by members of the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970...
, massive anti-war demonstrations took place on the SIU campus and on the streets of Carbondale. They resulted in the closure of SIU, more than $100,000 of property damage, more than 400 arrests, and the deployment of the National Guard to restore order.
Several local organizations are concerned with peace, justice, and the environment, including the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois/Fellowship of Reconciliation
Fellowship of Reconciliation
The Fellowship of Reconciliation is the name used by a number of religious nonviolent organizations, particularly in English-speaking countries...
, the Shawnee Green Party, the Student Environmental Center, the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future, and local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
, the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
, and the National Audubon Society
National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission...
.
In 2001 the city was the location for the national Green Party Congress
Carbondale Green Party Congress
The 2001 Congress of the Greens/Green Party USA, held at Carbondale, Illinois, was a critical event in the history of the Green Party in the United States. At the Congress, occurring July 20 to July 23, at which the G/GPUSA was to consider the Boston Proposal , a tentative "merger" agreement...
.
Highways
The city of Carbondale sits on the intersection of U.S. Route 51U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39...
and Illinois Route 13
Illinois Route 13
Illinois Route 13 is a major east–west state route in southern Illinois. Illinois 13 has its western terminus at Centreville at Illinois Route 157 and its eastern terminus at the Kentucky state line and the Ohio River, at Kentucky Route 56. This is a distance of .- Route description :Illinois...
. Interstate 57
Interstate 57
Interstate 57 is an Interstate Highway in Missouri and Illinois that parallels the old Illinois Central rail line for much of its route. It goes from Miner, Missouri, at Interstate 55 to Chicago, Illinois, at Interstate 94. I-57 essentially serves as a shortcut route for travelers headed between...
is accessible to the east on Route 13 at Marion
Marion, Illinois
The city of Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois. The 2010 census counted 17,193 residents, making Marion the 25th most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, in Illinois, and the second most populous city in Southern Illinois, outside of the Metro-East, behind...
, and to the south on Rt. 51 near Dongola
Dongola, Illinois
Dongola is a village in Union County, Illinois, United States. The population was 806 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dongola is located at ....
. Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
is accessible to the north on Rt. 51. Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
is accessible six miles south of Marion on I-57. The city is 331 highway miles from Chicago, Illinois, 96 highway miles from St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, and 213 highway miles from Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. (A historical note, when Illinois originally developed the state highway system in the 1920s, what's now Rt. 51, was then Illinois Route 2
Illinois Route 2
Illinois Route 2 is a north–south state road in northern Illinois. It currently starts at Illinois Route 40 in Sterling and ends at the Wisconsin state line north of South Beloit, very near the intersection with U.S. Route 51, Illinois Route 75 and Illinois Route 251. Illinois 2 is long.-...
which ran the length of the state).
Air Service
The city is twelve miles (19 km) away from the Williamson County Regional AirportWilliamson County Regional Airport
Williamson County Regional Airport is a public airport located four miles west of the central business district of Marion, a city in Williamson County, Illinois, USA. The airport covers and has two runways. It is mostly used for general aviation, although it has scheduled service to Lambert-St...
, where one commercial airline service provides passenger service to St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
on four flights each day. The Southern Illinois Airport is located northwest of the city and offers private aviation services and is home to SIU's aviation program. On 2 April 2010, state and university officials broke ground on a long-awaited Transportation Education Center on the airport grounds.
Rail Service
AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the US passenger rail system, provides service to Carbondale with three trains daily to and from Chicago, and one train daily to and from Memphis and New Orleans.
Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans
The City of New Orleans is a nightly passenger train operated by Amtrak which travels between Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana. Before Amtrak's formation in 1971, the train was operated by the Illinois Central Railroad along the same route . The train currently operates on a 19½ hour...
, departs Carbondale daily with service to Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, Jackson
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, and New Orleans (with many stations along the way). Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, departs Carbondale daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago
Union Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
. Carbondale is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki
Saluki (Amtrak)
The Saluki is a 310-mile passenger train line operated by Amtrak running between Chicago and Carbondale, Illinois. The train is a part of the Illinois Service rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation...
, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini
Illini (Amtrak)
The Illini is a 310-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Carbondale, Illinois. The train is a part of the Illinois Service rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation and by local governments along the route...
, daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and the Illini operate to Chicago, originating and terminating in Carbondale.
Amtrak shares tracks with the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
which provides freight service to the city's industrial park. The railroad runs along the original line of the Illinois Central Railroad
Illinois Central Railroad
The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, is a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois with New Orleans, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama. A line also connected Chicago with Sioux City, Iowa...
that began service in 1854 in Carbondale.
Public Transit
The Saluki Express provides bus service around the city. SIUC students, faculty, and staff, as well as the greater Carbondale community, are encouraged to use the service. This system offers eleven routes operating seven days a week while the university is in session, and a "break route" operating during semester breaks.Private Transit
Carbondale also has two licensed taxi companies, Yellow Cab and Ace Taxi. Greyhound offers intercity bus service from the BP Gas Station at 905 E. Main St.Awards
- Winner, "All America City", 1971
- Selected as "Tree City USA", since 1981
- Selected as one of "The Best Towns in America," 1983
- Winner, "GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award", since 1986
- Selected as "Best Small City in Illinois", 1990, 1997
- Winner, "Governor's Hometown Award", 1991, 1992, 2005, 2009
- Selected as one of the "101 Best Outdoor Towns in America," 2007
- Honorable Mention, "City Livability Award," 2009
- Finalist, "All America City Award," 2009
- Finalist, "Award for Municipal Excellence", 2009
Notable people
- Ron AcksRon AcksRon Acks is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for nine seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers.-References:...
, All-American football player at the U of I and former NFL Player with the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
and Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. - Agnes AyresAgnes AyresAgnes Ayres was an American actress who rose to fame during the silent film era. She was best known for her role as Lady Diana Mayo in The Sheik and The Son of the Sheik opposite Rudolph Valentino.-Early life and career:...
, actor, born in Carbondale as Agnes Eyre Henkel, notable for roles in The SheikThe Sheik (film)The Sheik is a 1921 silent film produced by Famous Players-Lasky, directed by George Melford and starring Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres, and Adolphe Menjou...
opposite Rudolph ValentinoRudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
. - Stephen BardoStephen BardoStephen Dean "Steve" Bardo is a retired American professional basketball player, in the shooting guard position.-Basketball career:...
, former U of I basketball star, current ESPN college basketball analyst, was born and raised in Carbondale. - Jim Caldwell the current head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was the wide receivers coach at S.I.U. in the late 70's and early 80's.
- Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
, Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning singer and musician, went to high school and college in Carbondale. - Darva CongerDarva CongerDarva Conger is a former emergency room nurse who was selected as the winner of the reality television show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?, in 2000....
, winner of the reality television show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? is a Fox network reality show in which multi-millionaire Rick Rockwell asked Darva Conger to marry him...
, in 2000, was born in Carbondale., Professionally known as "The Free Throw Guru", Professional Basketball Shooting Coach, grew up in Carbondale. - Dennis FranzDennis FranzDennis Franz is an American actor best known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a hard-boiled police detective in the television series NYPD Blue. He previously appeared as Lt...
star of the award winning, long running TV series, 'NYPD Blue' - Walt FrazierWalt FrazierWalter "Clyde" Frazier is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He was blessed with a unique combination of court vision, quickness, and size for a guard...
former SIU and NBA basketball star (NY Knicks primarily) - R. Buckminster Fuller, noted for his geodesic domes, many of which can be found in Carbondale today, including the one he lived in at the corner of Forest and Cherry.
- John Gardner, novelist and teacher perhaps best known for GrendelGrendelGrendel is one of three antagonists, along with Grendel's mother and the dragon, in the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf . Grendel is usually depicted as a monster, though this is the subject of scholarly debate. In the poem, Grendel is feared by all but Beowulf.-Story:The poem Beowulf is contained in...
, a retelling of the Beowulf story, was a professor in SIU's Department of English from 1965–1974. - Paul GilbertPaul GilbertPaul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
, the guitarist of the bands Racer X, and Mr. BigMr. Big (band)Mr. Big is an American rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988. The band is a quartet composed of Eric Martin , Paul Gilbert , Billy Sheehan , and Pat Torpey ; Mr. Big also included Richie Kotzen, a reputable blues-based guitarist who replaced Gilbert in 1999...
. - Dick GregoryDick GregoryRichard Claxton "Dick" Gregory is an American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur....
, comedian and civil rights leader. - Troy HudsonTroy HudsonTroy Hudson is a former American professional basketball player at the point guard position.-Basketball career:After a college career at the University of Missouri and Southern Illinois University that finished in his junior year,Hudson was not selected in the 1997 NBA draft, and played his first...
, NBA point guard for the Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota TimberwolvesThe Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
and Golden State WarriorsGolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - Rodney JonesRodney JonesRodney Jones is an American poet and professor of English at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Jones was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the winner of the 1989 National Book Critics Circle Award. His other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Peter I.B...
, American poet and nominee for the pulitzer prize. - John Alexander Logan, Jr, United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer posthumously awarded the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the Philippine–American War. - Laurie MetcalfLaurie MetcalfLauren Elizabeth "Laurie" Metcalf is an American actress. She is widely known for her performance as Jackie Harris on the ABC sitcom Roseanne, Mary Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, the voice of Mrs. Davis in the Toy Story film series and as Debbie Salt in Scream 2...
, actress on RoseanneRoseanne (TV series)Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
, was born in Carbondale and grew up in Edwardsville, IllinoisEdwardsville, IllinoisEdwardsville is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,293. It is the county seat of Madison County and is the third oldest city in the State of Illinois. The city was named in honor of Ninian Edwards, then Governor of the Illinois...
. - Sheila SimonSheila SimonSheila J. Simon is an American politician and educator who is the 46th and current Lieutenant Governor of the state of Illinois. She was a Professor of Law at the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Simon is the daughter of former U.S...
, the current lieutenant governor of Illinois - Dave SoldierDave SoldierDave Soldier is an American composer and performer residing in New York.- Musical works :Some of his work is based on unusual collaborations. In the Thai Elephant Orchestra he built giant musical instruments on which he trained a group of elephants to improvise...
, composer and founder of the Thai Elephant OrchestraThai Elephant OrchestraThe Thai Elephant Orchestra is a musical ensemble consisting of as many as sixteen elephants near Lampang in Northern Thailand. The elephants play music on enormous specially designed musical instruments...
. - Frankie TrumbauerFrankie TrumbauerOrie Frank Trumbauer was one of the leading jazz saxophonists of the 1920s and 1930s. He played the C-melody saxophone which, in size, is between an alto and tenor saxophone...
,famous saxophonist of the 1920s. known for his association with early jazz coronetist Bix BeiderbeckeBix BeiderbeckeLeon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer.With Louis Armstrong, Beiderbecke was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the 1920s...
. - Shawn WatsonShawn Watson-External links:...
, Quarterbacks Coach, Louisville Cardinals football teamLouisville Cardinals footballThe Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
. - ((Ben Falcone)), Actor, wife Melissa McCarthy, class of 91'
Sister cities
Tainai, NiigataTainai, Niigata
is a city located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.As of April 1, 2005, it has an area of 265.18 km² and a population of 33,309.-History:The city was established on September 1, 2005 as a result of the merger between the town of Nakajō and the village of Kurokawa, both from Kitakanbara District...
, Japan (former town of Nakajo
Nakajo, Niigata
Nakajō was a town located in Kitakanbara District, Niigata, Japan. Nakajo is now part of Tainai.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 27,026 and a density of 319.53 persons per km²...
and the city of Carbondale became sister cities in the past) Tainan City, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
Shimla
Shimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
, India
Source
External links
Further reading
- Brush, Daniel. 1992. Growing Up With Southern Illinois. Herrin, Ill.: Crossfire Press. 380 pages. ISBN 978-0962399077
- Erwin, Milo, and Jon Musgrave. 2006. The Bloody Vendetta of Southern Illinois. Marion, Ill.: IllinoisHistory.com. 240 pages.
- Wright, John W. D. 1977. A History of Early Carbondale, Illinois, 1852-1905. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois University Press. 384 pages. ISBN 978-0809307890.