Sterling, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Sterling is a city in Whiteside County, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 15,370 at the 2010 census, down from 15,451 at the 2000 census. Formerly nicknamed "The Hardware Capital of the World", Sterling has long been associated with manufacturing and the steel industry.
of 2000, there were 15,596 people, 6,234 households, and 3,946 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,307.0 people per square mile (1,277.4/km²). There were 6,596 housing units at an average density of 1,411.8 per square mile (545.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.36% White, 2.25% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.82% from other races
, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.24% of the population.
There were 6,234 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,664, and the median income for a family was $45,531. Males had a median income of $33,047 versus $21,944 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,432. About 7.6% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
The Rock River failed to become a major navigational route as once hoped, but the river provided power for the saw and grist mills, and later it provided power to a booming industrial base. In 1856, the first rail lines were laid in the area. With the power from the river and the transportation provided by the railroads, Sterling's business and industry began to grow. During the late 19th century and early 20th century, the industrial bedrocks of the community were laid with the founding of Northwestern Steel & Wire Co., Lawrence Brothers Inc, National Manufacturing Co., The Frantz Manufacturing Company
, and the Wahl Clipper Corporation.
Today, Sterling is continuing to diversify and adapt. The industrial base has expanded as the City has filled two industrial parks and begins development of a third and fourth. Retail sales for the region have expanded as Sterling has emerged as a regional retail hub. Just outside the City, the landscape is dominated by agricultural fields that typify most of the Midwest. Sterling is quite proud of its hard working heritage and depends on it for continued success.
The cities of Sterling, Nebraska
and Sterling, Colorado
were both founded by former residents of Sterling, Illinois as they branched out across the West.
Residents of Sterling can live in one of three districts: Illinois's 14th congressional district, Illinois's 16th congressional district, or Illinois's 17th congressional district.
, Challand Middle School, Franklin Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Washington Elementary Schools. Wallace School serves as Sterling’s public Pre-K institution.
Sterling is also home to the Whiteside Area Career Center
, located adjacent to Sterling High School. WACC hosts a variety of vocational courses, available to students of its member schools in the Sauk Valley.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford currently runs two schools in the city: St. Mary’s School, serving as both grade school and middle school
, and Newman Central Catholic High School
. These schools serve both local parish
es, Sacred Heart Church and St. Mary’s Church.
Additionally, Sterling is host to two Protestant schools: Sterling Christian School (K-12), and Christ Lutheran (K-8).
Dale Park is located at Locust Street and 2nd Street.
Flock Park is located at Locust Street and 8th Street.
Lincoln Park is located at 16th Avenue and 4th Street.
Platt Park is located at 20th Avenue and 7th Street.
Wallace Park is located at Avenue G and 5th Street.
Eberley Park sits on 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of wooded land. It officially opened a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) course in 1978 and is a popular place for joggers and walkers to go. Eberley Park is located at Douglas Drive and West LeFevre Road.
The Gartner Park Baseball Complex was developed in 1961 and included 7 regulation baseball diamonds and a playground area. Since then, there has been renovation on the diamonds to include press boxes, lights and field improvements. Gartner Park is located on West LeFevre Road.
Harry Kidd Field was acquired through an Open Space Land & Water Grant in 1976. It is used by Sterling Jr. Tackle as their Home field for the 5th-8th grade tackle program. Harry Kidd Field is located at West 7th Street and Woodburn Avenue.
The Hoover Park property was purchased from Edward Hoover in 1941 as an extension of Sinnissippi Park. The two parks are connected via the S.M.A.R.T. trail system. Hoover Park is located at 37th Avenue and Woodlawn Road.
Kilgour Park was purchased in 1935. This 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) park was once the site of Civil War Colonel William M. Kilgour's own personal farm. The site is now known for the Imagination Station play area and basketball and tennis courts. Kilgour Park is located at West LeFevre Road and Avenue F.
Lawrence Park was acquired in 1925. It is considered the first park of Sterling, and was named for the Lawrence family in honor of their bequests to the then Sterling-Coloma Township Park District. The pool was constructed in the late 1920s and is the home pool for the Sterling Sterling Stingray Swim Club. Lawrence Park is located on the Avenue G Island.
The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway and Martin's Landing officially opened on September 20, 2008, after years of combined effort from the Sterling Park District, the City of Sterling, the City of Rock Falls, the Coloma Township Park District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway provides a link between the ever expanding trail system in Sterling and the Hennepin Feeder Canal in Rock Falls. The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway offers bicyclists, runners, walkers and other recreational users a safe and scenic route across the Rock River and Martin's Landing is the welcoming point to Sterling and the entry to the ever expanding trail system in Sterling. Martin’s Landing and the Sinnissippi Dam Walkway are located at 10th Avenue and 2nd Street (behind the Dillon Home Museum).
In 1968, the Park District received a recreational lease from the US Corp of Engineers on 31 acres (125,452.7 m²), which is now known as Harry Oppold Marina. In 1971, the Harbor House, park roads and lighting, a 50 feet (15.2 m) launch ramp, a 100 feet (30.5 m) main dock and parking lots were developed through a 100% funded grant. Since the leasing of Oppold, Oxbow Lake was dredged and boat slips, two picnic shelters, picnic units, playground areas, landscaping, and more has been added. Oppold Marina is located on Stouffer Road.
The Propheter Park property was donated to the Sterling Park District in 1986 by Bob Propheter. The park was named and dedicated in his honor. Propheter Park is located at 6th Avenue and East 6th Street.
In 1967, the Park District acquired the 14 acres (56,656 m²) site known as Scheid Park. In the late 1990s, major renovations include improvement of the basketball courts, soccer field, playground equipment, and the addition of a shelter. Scheid Park is located at Woodburn Avenue and West 11th Street.
The largest of the Sterling Park District parks, Sinnissippi Park was acquired in parcels beginning in 1934. It is the site for Hopewillian Indian Mounds, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Sinnissippi Park is linked to Hoover Park via the S.M.A.R.T. trail system. Sinnissippi Park is located on Sinnissippi Road.
The Skate Park was built in 2004 by the Sterling Park District. It is located behind the Duis Recreation Center and the Frasor Center at St. Mary's Road and Third Avenue.
The 12.25 acres (49,574 m²) site of Thomas Park was purchased from Sterling Farms, Inc., in 1966 in a joint venture with the Sterling School District (where Franklin School was built). The park was named after Ralph Thomas, former president and member of the Board of Commissioners from 1944-1959. Thomas Park is located at 12th Avenue & Lynn Boulevard.
External links=
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,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 15,370 at the 2010 census, down from 15,451 at the 2000 census. Formerly nicknamed "The Hardware Capital of the World", Sterling has long been associated with manufacturing and the steel industry.
Geography
Sterling is located along the north bank of the Rock River opposite its twin city of Rock Falls. The terrain is mostly flat. The land immediately outside of town is almost entirely farmland. The prairie soil is part of one of the world's most fertile growing areas.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,596 people, 6,234 households, and 3,946 families residing in the city. The population density
Population 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...
was 3,307.0 people per square mile (1,277.4/km²). There were 6,596 housing units at an average density of 1,411.8 per square mile (545.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.36% White, 2.25% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.82% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.24% of the population.
There were 6,234 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,664, and the median income for a family was $45,531. Males had a median income of $33,047 versus $21,944 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 was $19,432. About 7.6% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
In 1834, Hezekiah Brink built the first cabin in what was to become Harrisburg. Two years later, William Kirkpatrick settled downstream in an area that became Chatham. In 1838, the small towns of Harrisburg and Chatham combined to become the Town of Sterling in an effort to attract the county seat. The name "Sterling" was bestowed to the new town in honor of Major James Sterling, who distinguished himself in the area during the Blackhawk War in 1832. On February 16, 1857 Sterling was incorporated as a city by state law.The Rock River failed to become a major navigational route as once hoped, but the river provided power for the saw and grist mills, and later it provided power to a booming industrial base. In 1856, the first rail lines were laid in the area. With the power from the river and the transportation provided by the railroads, Sterling's business and industry began to grow. During the late 19th century and early 20th century, the industrial bedrocks of the community were laid with the founding of Northwestern Steel & Wire Co., Lawrence Brothers Inc, National Manufacturing Co., The Frantz Manufacturing Company
The Frantz Manufacturing Company
The Frantz Manufacturing Company located in Sterling, Illinois, is a manufacturer and marketer of conveyor system components and steel ball products used in a variety of applications.- History :...
, and the Wahl Clipper Corporation.
Today, Sterling is continuing to diversify and adapt. The industrial base has expanded as the City has filled two industrial parks and begins development of a third and fourth. Retail sales for the region have expanded as Sterling has emerged as a regional retail hub. Just outside the City, the landscape is dominated by agricultural fields that typify most of the Midwest. Sterling is quite proud of its hard working heritage and depends on it for continued success.
The cities of Sterling, Nebraska
Sterling, Nebraska
Sterling is a village in Johnson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 507 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sterling is located at ....
and Sterling, Colorado
Sterling, Colorado
The City of Sterling is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Logan County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 14,777 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Sterling is located at...
were both founded by former residents of Sterling, Illinois as they branched out across the West.
Politics
Education
Sterling is served by Community Unit School District 5, which operates Sterling High SchoolSterling High School (Illinois)
Sterling High School is a high school, located at 1608 Fourth Ave in Sterling, Illinois. The principal is Jason Austin, a graduate of the high school....
, Challand Middle School, Franklin Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Washington Elementary Schools. Wallace School serves as Sterling’s public Pre-K institution.
Sterling is also home to the Whiteside Area Career Center
Whiteside Area Career Center
The Whiteside Area Career Center is located in Sterling, Illinois. It is one of sixty-one regional vocational systems in Illinois. Systems were organized in 1986-87 to coordinate and provide regional career and technical programming among its members, collect and report data to the Illinois State...
, located adjacent to Sterling High School. WACC hosts a variety of vocational courses, available to students of its member schools in the Sauk Valley.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford currently runs two schools in the city: St. Mary’s School, serving as both grade school and middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
, and Newman Central Catholic High School
Newman Central Catholic High School
Newman Central Catholic High School is a Diocesan Catholic high school in Sterling, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford....
. These schools serve both local parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
es, Sacred Heart Church and St. Mary’s Church.
Additionally, Sterling is host to two Protestant schools: Sterling Christian School (K-12), and Christ Lutheran (K-8).
Sterling City Parks
Central Park is located at Brinks Circle.Dale Park is located at Locust Street and 2nd Street.
Flock Park is located at Locust Street and 8th Street.
Lincoln Park is located at 16th Avenue and 4th Street.
Platt Park is located at 20th Avenue and 7th Street.
Wallace Park is located at Avenue G and 5th Street.
Sterling Park District Parks
Douglas Park was developed in 1955 when Cellular Concrete Contractors donated 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) of property for a park in the Douglas Park Subdivision. Douglas Park is located at Chestnut Avenue and Lynn Boulevard.Eberley Park sits on 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) of wooded land. It officially opened a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) course in 1978 and is a popular place for joggers and walkers to go. Eberley Park is located at Douglas Drive and West LeFevre Road.
The Gartner Park Baseball Complex was developed in 1961 and included 7 regulation baseball diamonds and a playground area. Since then, there has been renovation on the diamonds to include press boxes, lights and field improvements. Gartner Park is located on West LeFevre Road.
Harry Kidd Field was acquired through an Open Space Land & Water Grant in 1976. It is used by Sterling Jr. Tackle as their Home field for the 5th-8th grade tackle program. Harry Kidd Field is located at West 7th Street and Woodburn Avenue.
The Hoover Park property was purchased from Edward Hoover in 1941 as an extension of Sinnissippi Park. The two parks are connected via the S.M.A.R.T. trail system. Hoover Park is located at 37th Avenue and Woodlawn Road.
Kilgour Park was purchased in 1935. This 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) park was once the site of Civil War Colonel William M. Kilgour's own personal farm. The site is now known for the Imagination Station play area and basketball and tennis courts. Kilgour Park is located at West LeFevre Road and Avenue F.
Lawrence Park was acquired in 1925. It is considered the first park of Sterling, and was named for the Lawrence family in honor of their bequests to the then Sterling-Coloma Township Park District. The pool was constructed in the late 1920s and is the home pool for the Sterling Sterling Stingray Swim Club. Lawrence Park is located on the Avenue G Island.
The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway and Martin's Landing officially opened on September 20, 2008, after years of combined effort from the Sterling Park District, the City of Sterling, the City of Rock Falls, the Coloma Township Park District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway provides a link between the ever expanding trail system in Sterling and the Hennepin Feeder Canal in Rock Falls. The Sinnissippi Dam Walkway offers bicyclists, runners, walkers and other recreational users a safe and scenic route across the Rock River and Martin's Landing is the welcoming point to Sterling and the entry to the ever expanding trail system in Sterling. Martin’s Landing and the Sinnissippi Dam Walkway are located at 10th Avenue and 2nd Street (behind the Dillon Home Museum).
In 1968, the Park District received a recreational lease from the US Corp of Engineers on 31 acres (125,452.7 m²), which is now known as Harry Oppold Marina. In 1971, the Harbor House, park roads and lighting, a 50 feet (15.2 m) launch ramp, a 100 feet (30.5 m) main dock and parking lots were developed through a 100% funded grant. Since the leasing of Oppold, Oxbow Lake was dredged and boat slips, two picnic shelters, picnic units, playground areas, landscaping, and more has been added. Oppold Marina is located on Stouffer Road.
The Propheter Park property was donated to the Sterling Park District in 1986 by Bob Propheter. The park was named and dedicated in his honor. Propheter Park is located at 6th Avenue and East 6th Street.
In 1967, the Park District acquired the 14 acres (56,656 m²) site known as Scheid Park. In the late 1990s, major renovations include improvement of the basketball courts, soccer field, playground equipment, and the addition of a shelter. Scheid Park is located at Woodburn Avenue and West 11th Street.
The largest of the Sterling Park District parks, Sinnissippi Park was acquired in parcels beginning in 1934. It is the site for Hopewillian Indian Mounds, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Sinnissippi Park is linked to Hoover Park via the S.M.A.R.T. trail system. Sinnissippi Park is located on Sinnissippi Road.
The Skate Park was built in 2004 by the Sterling Park District. It is located behind the Duis Recreation Center and the Frasor Center at St. Mary's Road and Third Avenue.
The 12.25 acres (49,574 m²) site of Thomas Park was purchased from Sterling Farms, Inc., in 1966 in a joint venture with the Sterling School District (where Franklin School was built). The park was named after Ralph Thomas, former president and member of the Board of Commissioners from 1944-1959. Thomas Park is located at 12th Avenue & Lynn Boulevard.
Notable people
- Terry BrooksTerry BrooksTerence Dean "Terry" Brooks is an American writer of fantasy fiction. He writes mainly epic fantasy, and has also written two movie novelizations. He has written 23 New York Times bestsellers during his writing career, and has over 21 million copies of his books in print...
, epic fantasy author of the ShannaraShannaraShannara is an epic fantasy series of novels written by Terry Brooks, beginning with The Sword of Shannara in 1977 and continuing through Bearers of the Black Staff which was released on August 24, 2010, as well as a prequel, First King of Shannara...
series, Word and Void series and Magic KingdomMagic Kingdom of LandoverThe Magic Kingdom of Landover series is a series of six fantasy novels by Terry Brooks following the adventures of a former trial lawyer named Ben Holiday, and the collection of friends and enemies the he encounters when he purchases a magical kingdom...
series of novels. - Dan KolbDan KolbDaniel Lee Kolb is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Kolb has played with the Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Milwaukee Brewers , and Pittsburgh Pirates . He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
, MLB player for the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, and the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
was born in Sterling, but grew up in Walnut, IL. - Joel Ryce-MenuhinJoel Ryce-MenuhinJoel Ryce-Menuhin was an American pianist, who later became a Jungian psychologist in private practice.-Biography:...
, classical pianist and psychologist. - Tim LawsonTim Lawson (writer)- Biography :Tim Lawson is an American writer and musician.- Bibliography :The Magic Behind The Voices: A Who's Who of Cartoon Voice Actors...
, author.
See also
- Northwestern Steel and WireNorthwestern Steel and WireNorthwestern Steel and Wire was a steel mill and wire factory located in Sterling, Illinois. It began producing steel in 1936 and ceased production in 2001.-Early history:...
- Paul W. Dillon HomePaul W. Dillon HomeThe Paul W. Dillon Home, also known as the Colonel Edward N. Kirk House, is located in Sterling, Illinois. It was home to the late businessman Paul W. Dillon and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980...
- Edward N. KirkEdward N. KirkEdward Needles Kirk was a Quaker school teacher, attorney, and then a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
- Newman Central Catholic High SchoolNewman Central Catholic High SchoolNewman Central Catholic High School is a Diocesan Catholic high school in Sterling, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford....
- Rock Falls, IL
External links=
- City of Sterling Web Site
- Temple Sholom - Union for Reform JudaismUnion for Reform JudaismThe Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
- Sterling High School Athletics
- Sterling Schools Foundation
- Newman Central Catholic High School
- Sterling Park District
- Back to Health Chiropractic
- First Church of the Nazarene