:Mount Carmel, Illinois

On June 4, 1877, a tornado of F4 intensity touched down just west of Mount Carmel and moved east-northeast, devastating the town.{{Cite web|date=1877-06-23|title=Scientific American, "Mount Carmel, IL, Destroyed By A Tornado"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f50oAQAAMAAJ|website=Google Books|page=393}} The storm's line of destruction wreaked havoc on a large part of the territory between Third and Fifth streets. The velocity of the wind was estimated at 150 miles per hour for a duration of almost two minutes.

As described in a local newspaper at the time: "During its prevalence the air was filled with flying roofs, windows, doors, lumber, rails, clothing, etc. Much of the debris was carried more than a mile away. Thirteen persons were killed outright, and many others will undoubtedly die of their injuries. There are also several others reported missing who are probably buried in the ruins. It being a rainy day, many farmers who could not work at home were in town. The county court was also in session, which caused many people to be in the city.

Men, women and children were blown a distance of 400 feet, as if they were feathers. The better part of the town Is destroyed. Some seventy families were rendered houseless and much distress is anticipated."{{cite web|url=https://www.gendisasters.com/illinois/2050/mt-carmel,-il-tornado,-jun-1887|title=Mt Carmel, IL Tornado, Jun 1887|access-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173734/http://www.gendisasters.com/illinois/2050/mt-carmel,-il-tornado,-jun-1887|archive-date=7 March 2019|url-status=live}}

Final estimates of the damage indicate that 20 businesses and 100 homes were damaged or destroyed. At least 16 people, and as many as 30, were killed, with 100 injured.{{cite web|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/trivia/juntriv.php|title=Central Illinois|access-date=29 May 2016}}

In the 1920s, there was a hotel in Wabash County near the Grand Rapids Dam and Hanging Rock on the Wabash River. The hotel was called the Grand Rapids Hotel and was owned by Frederick Hinde Zimmerman. During the hotel's nine-year existence, it catered to individuals from all over the United States. Image:Hotel Picture 1922.jpg

File:Mount Carmel bridge 2007.JPG formerly featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not! This bridge was replaced in 2011 and demolished in 2012.]]

Mount Carmel is located on the Wabash River, which demarcates the Indiana border. According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of {{convert|5.00|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4.86|sqmi}} (or 97.20%) is land and {{convert|0.14|sqmi}} (or 2.80%) is water.{{cite web

|url = https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_17.txt

|title = Places: Illinois

|work = [https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html 2010 Census Gazetteer Files]

|publisher = United States Census Bureau

|access-date = 2012-10-13

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021190632/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_17.txt

|archive-date = 2013-10-21

}}

The city was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not! for its once multicolored bridge over the Wabash River, painted white and black on the Illinois and Indiana sides of the state line, respectively. The old twelve span Parker truss bridge, later repainted entirely green, formerly connected Princeton, Indiana to Mount Carmel via Indiana State Road 64 and Illinois Route 15.[http://www.museum.wabash.il.us/stories/Bridge/main.htm Wabash County Museum – Crossing the Wabash] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928202238/http://www.museum.wabash.il.us/stories/Bridge/main.htm |date=2007-09-28 }} Illinois Route 1 and Illinois Route 15 meet just a few blocks from the bridge. One rail bridge runs parallel to the IN-64/IL-15 bridge, and another sits just a few miles south, near the southernmost edge of the city. The plans to build a new bridge become reality in 2008. After three years of construction the new much wider span opens in January 2011. The new bridge is a milestone as Indiana continues its quest to expand Indiana 64 to a four-lane highway as part of the Major Moves Project.[http://netservices.indot.in.gov/lettings/SearchResults.aspx INDOT information on SR 64 bridge project] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222301/http://netservices.indot.in.gov/lettings/SearchResults.aspx |date=2007-09-26 }}

As of February 20, 2011 the new concrete and steel beam bridge is fully carrying traffic. The old bridge has been removed, with the river spans being imploded.

{{Weather box

| single line = Y

| location = Mount Carmel, Illinois (1991–2020)

| Jan high F =40.2

| Feb high F =45.2

| Mar high F =54.9

| Apr high F =66.9

| May high F =76.0

| Jun high F =84.8

| Jul high F =87.4

| Aug high F =86.2

| Sep high F =81.0

| Oct high F =69.3

| Nov high F =55.2

| Dec high F =43.9

| Jan mean F =32.6

| Feb mean F =36.2

| Mar mean F =45.3

| Apr mean F =56.6

| May mean F =66.7

| Jun mean F =75.3

| Jul mean F =78.2

| Aug mean F =76.5

| Sep mean F =69.9

| Oct mean F =58.0

| Nov mean F =45.8

| Dec mean F =36.1

| Jan low F =25.0

| Feb low F =27.3

| Mar low F =35.8

| Apr low F =46.4

| May low F =57.3

| Jun low F =65.8

| Jul low F =69.0

| Aug low F =66.8

| Sep low F =58.9

| Oct low F =46.8

| Nov low F =36.4

| Dec low F =28.3

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch =3.58

| Feb precipitation inch =3.09

| Mar precipitation inch =4.06

| Apr precipitation inch =5.08

| May precipitation inch =5.83

| Jun precipitation inch =4.70

| Jul precipitation inch =4.47

| Aug precipitation inch =3.24

| Sep precipitation inch =3.51

| Oct precipitation inch =3.79

| Nov precipitation inch =3.93

| Dec precipitation inch =3.45

| Jan snow inch =2.3

| Feb snow inch =2.5

| Mar snow inch =1.2

| Apr snow inch =0.0

| May snow inch =0.0

| Jun snow inch =0.0

| Jul snow inch =0.0

| Aug snow inch =0.0

| Sep snow inch =0.0

| Oct snow inch =0.1

| Nov snow inch =0.0

| Dec snow inch =2.8

| source = NOAA{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00115888 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-01-13 }}

}}

{{main|2008 Illinois earthquake}}

Mount Carmel is within the Wabash Valley seismic zone. On April 18, 2008, at 09:36:56 UTC (04:36:56 Central) an earthquake of 5.2 magnitude was centered near the city, and just hours later an aftershock of 4.6 magnitude shook Mt. Carmel and its residences. It was felt widespread across southern Illinois and eastern portions of Missouri including St. Louis, {{convert|123|mi|km}} away. Aftershocks continued into July.Television reports, KSDK, "Early Today", "Today in St. Louis at 5:00", April 18, 2008{{cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxPvXBa_kwldln7jw_kNT0EsoE1QD90472KG0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422064605/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxPvXBa_kwldln7jw_kNT0EsoE1QD90472KG0|title=The Associated Press: 5.4 earthquake rocks Illinois; also felt in Indiana|archive-date=22 April 2008|access-date=29 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008qza6/|title=Magnitude 5.4 - ILLINOIS|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901103133/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008qza6/|archive-date=1 September 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/us2008uqah.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720235334/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/us2008uqah.php|title=Magnitude 3.1 - ILLINOIS|archive-date=20 July 2008|access-date=29 May 2016}}

{{US Census population

|1850= 935

|1860= 1393

|1870= 1640

|1880= 2047

|1890= 3376

|1900= 4311

|1910= 6934

|1920= 7456

|1930= 7132

|1940= 6987

|1950= 8732

|1960= 8594

|1970= 8096

|1980= 8908

|1990= 8287

|2000= 7982

|2010= 7284

|2020= 7015

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

File:Mount Carmel Cherry St.JPG

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 7,982 people, 3,302 households, and 2,146 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,728.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,653 housing units at an average density of {{convert|791.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% White, 0.48% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.

There were 3,302 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,715, and the median income for a family was $39,882. Males had a median income of $30,815 versus $17,129 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,391. Median house value was $51,200. About 10.2% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

File:Snakepit-offcenter.JPG

Mount Carmel is home to Wabash Valley College, part of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC). The college has 1375 students, and has an active international student program. The small town atmosphere provides a laid back, comfortable setting in which international students may study English as a second language (ESL). As part of the IECC, residents benefit from a reciprocal agreement where some of the out-of-state fees to attend the University of Southern Indiana are waived, in exchange for similar tuition discounts for Indiana students in IECC schools. Their men's basketball team, the Warriors, won the NJCAA Division I championships in 2001.

Mount Carmel's K-12 school district is Wabash Community Unit School District 348.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17185_wabash/DC20SD_C17185.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wabash County, IL|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-06-15}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17185_wabash/DC20SD_C17185_SD2MS.txt Text list] It has two elementary schools, divided by grade (Mount Carmel Elementary School and Mount Carmel Grade School), Mount Carmel Junior High School, and Mount Carmel High School, the only high school in the county. The high school's football team, The Golden Aces, won the class 3A state championships in 1981, and the team made it to the playoffs 21 years in a row. They play at home in Riverview Stadium, commonly known as "The Snake Pit".{{cite web|url=http://www.mchs.wabash.k12.il.us/Athletics/Male%20Sports/Football/RiverviewStadium.html|title=Aces Football|access-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407041820/http://www.mchs.wabash.k12.il.us/Athletics/Male%20Sports/Football/RiverviewStadium.html|archive-date=7 April 2016}} The stadium is notable for having been built into the side of a large hill.

File:Mount Carmel Market.JPG

The town had an unemployment rate of 5.4%, as of Dec 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Local%20Area%20Unemployment%20Statistics%20LAUS/countymap.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-02-23 |archive-date=2015-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223180007/http://www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Local%20Area%20Unemployment%20Statistics%20LAUS/countymap.pdf |url-status=dead }} The situation has substantially improved since 1992, when the unemployment rate peaked as high as 15.1% with the loss of industrial jobs.[http://www.economagic.com/em-cgi/data.exe/blsla/laucn17185003 Historical unemployment data]

Duke Energy's Gibson Generating Station is the nearest employer of substantial size. The Gibson County, Indiana power plant is located less than a mile away from Mount Carmel, directly across the river. It is the third-largest coal power plant in the world,[http://www.gibsoncountyin.org/attractions.htm Attractions in Gibson County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723090306/http://www.gibsoncountyin.org/attractions.htm |date=2006-07-23 }} and the ninth largest power plant in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/rankings/plantsbycapacity.htm|title=Electricity in the United States|access-date=29 May 2016}}

Additional nearby employers include Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, which produces the Sequoia, Sienna, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid lines. Many of TMMI's Suppliers and subsidiaries are also located in and around Princeton, Indiana, 12 miles away. Other employers include Champion Laboratories plant in Albion, Illinois that produces air and fuel filters and an ATS (now TBIL) plant in Lawrenceville, which also supplies TMMI. Local employers include several oil and gas firms, exploiting the Southern Indiana Oil Basin, which extends into Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. It once had reserves of more than {{convert|4000000000|oilbbl|m3}} of crude oil.

On April 5, 2007, Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., of Linthicum Heights, Maryland, announced plans to close the Wabash Mine in nearby Keensburg, Illinois, meaning a loss of nearly 230 jobs in Wabash County.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} Mount Carmel lost 270 jobs in 2003 due to the closing of a Snap-on Tools factory, which had operated since 1937.

• Brace Beemer, voice of The Lone Ranger radio program
• John Clancy, American playwright and author, owner of Mount Carmel business Little Egypt Arts Center
• Charles H. Constable, judge; Illinois state senator; friend of Abraham Lincoln; lived in Mount Carmel
• Archie Dees, forward / center with the Indiana program, four NBA teams and one ABL; attended Mount Carmel High School
• Orlando B. Ficklin, state congressman (1851–1853)
• George W. Fithian, state congressman (1889–1895)
• Glenn Goodart, manager of Grand Rapids Hotel, finance commissioner, and county treasurer
• Edward B. Green, attorney, resided in Mt. Carmel before and after serving as the first Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Territory Supreme Court (1890–1893)
• Juanita Havill, children's author known for Jamaica Books
• Charles T. Hinde, riverboat captain, businessman, original investor of Hotel del Coronado
• Edmund C. Hinde, gold miner during California Gold Rush
• Harry Hinde, businessman, inventor, and Missouri state representative; born in Mount Carmel
• Thomas S. Hinde, real estate tycoon, Methodist minister, founder of Mount Carmel
• Lauren Kieffer, world-ranked equestrian
• Silas Z. Landes, U.S. Representative (1885–1889)
• Sydney Leathers, adult film actress, best known for the Anthony Weiner scandal
• Don Liddle, pitcher for New York Giants (1952–1954); 1954 World Series champion
• Gil Mains, defensive tackle for NFL's Detroit Lions (1953–1961)
• Mark Medoff, playwright, screenwriter, film and theater director, actor, and professor
• William M'Intosh, fur trader and real estate entrepreneur; defendant in Supreme Court Case of Johnson v. McIntosh{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}
• Kenneth Nance, lawyer, lobbyist, Oklahoma legislator
• Captain Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson, recipient of Canada's Victoria Cross
• O. L. Rapson, first manager of Grand Rapids Hotel
• Robert Ridgway, author and ornithologist
• Samuel Williams, judge and politician (1851–1913)
• Frederick Hinde Zimmerman, established Grand Rapids Hotel
• Jacob Zimmerman, legislator, newspaper editor and owner
• Peter Jacob Hinde Zimmerman, son of Frederick Zimmerman, owner of Grand Rapids Hotel

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402212955/http://cityofmtcarmel.com/ City website]
• [http://www.wabashcountychamber.com Wabash County Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.mtcarmelregister.com Mount Carmel Register]

{{Wabash County, Illinois}}

{{Southern-Illinois}}

{{Illinois county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Illinois

Category:Cities in Wabash County, Illinois

Category:1815 establishments in Illinois Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1815

Category:County seats in Illinois