Altamont, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Altamont is a city in Effingham County, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 2,283 at the 2000 census.
, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,283 people, 899 households, and 608 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,751.6 inhabitants per square mile (678.1/km²). There were 955 housing units at an average density of 732.7 per square mile (283.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.30% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Native American, Pacific Islander, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 899 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,186, and the median income for a family was $37,837. Males had a median income of $27,639 versus $18,446 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,478. About 4.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
, U.S. Route 40
, and Illinois Route 128
, all of which pass through its city limits. What is now U.S. Route 40 was once known as the "National Road
" and before that the "Cumberland Road".
Amtrak
service to Chicago
and New Orleans and all points in between can be accessed in Effingham
, 12 miles (19 km) to the east.
and took up his abode with the Kickapoo Indians. At this time these Indians were peaceable and indifferent to the coming and the struggle of a white man. Tipsword was a white man by birth and an Indian by adoption. He was a pioneer, a missionary preacher, hunter and medicine man among the Indians. The Altamont Indians no doubt got their name from Tipsword's association with his friends, the Indians. Tipsword's family name was Sowards. He called himself Tipsword after coming to Illinois. Tipsword was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, first fighting in the battle of Ramsour's Mill in the Carolina's. Griffin died in 1845 and was buried on the banks of Wolff Creek (Tipsword family cemetery, Effingham, IL), leaving three sons, John, Isaac and Thomas, who have left many descendants in the Altamont area today.
Altamont, the "City of Plain", was laid out in Mound Township
, considered to be the richest and best township in Effingham County - being mostly prairies and farm ground - slightly rolling along the streams, Big Creek, Coon Creek and Second Creek. Mound Township was settled early by German immigrants coming from the "Faterland" on the banks of the Rhine by way of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The name Altamont, like the name Mound Township, was bestowed upon it by J.W. Conlogue because of the elevation or "mound" which lies to the northwest. The first part of the word meaning altitude, the latter part mount or mound. Conlogue was a romantic, thus naming his town from Latin.
In early History of Effingham County edited by William Henry Perrin in 1883, he wrote: "The name of Mound Township was bestowed upon it in consequence of what is known as the neighborhood of Blue Mound, a slight elevation of Section 8, which is nearly all a kind of mound, the apex being in the center of the section, and having an altitude of seventy-eight feet above the bed of the Vandalia Railroad, which passes near it. Recently, the Government has erected a signal observatory upon it, some seventy-five to one hundred feet in height, from the top of which one may look across the States of Missouri and Arkansas and see the cowboys watching their herds on the prairies of Texas."
On the bank of the small creek just south of what is now Altamont (Southmore Heights) there had been established a little trading center called Montville. The postmaster was G.H. Milleville and in 1871 the post office was moved to this new place called Altamont. Altamont was first organized as a town in 1871.
On August 8, 1872, the Town of Altamont adopted the Village form of government which consists of a Mayor and four Council Members. On April 16, 1901, the voters of the Village of Altamont adopted the City Organization form of government and became the City of Altamont.
Altamont Lutheran Interparish School (ALIS) is a private school serving grades K-8, located at the corner of Division St. and Edwards St., just across the street from Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gail Traub currently serves as principal of ALIS. The cornerstone reads "Immanuel Lutheran School 1959", but the school is now a joint effort of Immanuel, Bethlehem, St. Paul (Blue Point) and Zion Lutheran Churches, all of which are within the Missouri Synod division of the Lutheran Church. Its sports teams are known as the Rockets.
In 1905, a school building was erected behind Immanuel. Later, in 1928, a school building was purchased for $250, rebuilt, and added to the existing school for a second room. The Cornerstone for a new, modern school building was laid on July 26, 1959. This building was dedicated on Sunday, January 31, 1960. The total cost of this project, including land and other items, was approximately $200,000. The final payment on the school was made in 1966.
In early 1973, St. Paul Blue Point and Immanuel, Altamont formed Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in Altamont. St. Paul paid for the addition of two rooms to the school at a cost of $40,000. The school at St. Paul was discontinued and the students were taken to the Interparish School. St. Paul's school had been in use since 1910.
Zion Lutheran School was organized in 1887, before the Congregation had been formed. In 1922 the Zion Church building was dedicated so the school was now used exclusively for school classes. In 1931, the Ladies Aid started a fund for a new school. The new school was dedicated in 1938, complete with electricity, which was also installed in the church parsonage at that time. The school was closed for a period of time but reopened in 1956 with Gladys Heiser as teacher. In 1972 Zion school closed and children began attending Altamont Lutheran Interparish School. Zion became a corporate member of ALIS in 1989.
In 1861, the congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church erected a building which served as both a church and a school until 1867 when the present church building was built. In 1873 the school enrollment was 123 students. In 1940, the English language began to be used in quite a few subjects as well as religion classes. The teaching of the German language was discontinued in 1954.
In December 1958 the Bethlehem school building failed an inspection by the State Fire Marshall. Voters decided to make the most necessary improvements in order to keep the school open, hoping to build a new school soon. Immanuel Congregation approached Bethlehem in regards to school consolidation. In 1960 it was decided to drop the school consolidation idea and build a new school. In 1961 enrollment showed 51 students and the congregation decided to build a parish hall in connection with the new school.
On August 26, 1962, Bethlehem Congregation dedicated their new school building which contained three classrooms, office, restrooms, parish hall/gym and kitchen.
Twenty-five years later, in May 1987, the Bethlehem Lutheran School closed and students began attending ALIS in August. In 1988, Bethlehem became a member of ALIS.
To accommodate the additional students from the Bethlehem and Zion congregations a major building project was undertaken in the summer of 1989. Four classrooms were added to the north end of the building and two classrooms, teacher lounge, and storage at the center of the building. The exterior looks were completely changed with the addition of a pitched roof. Each grade now has its own room plus a computer lab and a band room.
In 1990 A.L.I.S. accepted the offer of Dr. D. G. Huelskoetter to donate the Frog Pond Pre-School to A.L.I.S. Frog Pond is not operated as part of A.L.I.S. rather it is rented to three ladies to operate.
Altamont Grade School is a public grade school serving grades K-8 located at 407 S. Edwards St. Enrollment at the beginning of 2011 was 546. Its sports teams are known as the Wildcats. Jerry Tkachuk currently serves as principal of AGS.
Altamont High School is a public high school located at 7 South Ewing Street. The main building was constructed in the early 1950s, and the class of 1954 was the first graduating class. Enrollment at the beginning of 2011 was 285. Its sports teams are known as the Indians. Todd Bean currently serves as principal at ACHS.
Both Altamont Grade School and Altamont High School are part of Altamont Community Unit School District #10. Jeff Fritchnitch is the current Superintendent of Schools.
In addition to the County Fair, the Fairgrounds are host each year to the Illinois High School Rodeo Finals, the Mill Road Thresherman's gathering and the annual Schützenfest
.
The Wright House is a stately Victorian style home built by C.M. Wright I on a 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tract of land on upper North Main Street in Altamont, where originally stood a two-story frame house that was the Wright family home. The Wright House was built in 1889 by C.M. Wright I, who studied designs and planned the house and most of the details himself. The builder was C.H. Spilman of Toledo, Illinois who agreed to build the house for a total price of seventeen thousand nine hundred sixty-five dollars with the owner furnishing the materials. The total cost, not including furnishing, was approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. The Wright House has 18 furnished rooms, including seven bedrooms. Much of the original furnishings are still in the rooms. It has a full basement and an unpartitioned attic loft, some twenty-five feet high at the roofs' peak.
The second generation to occupy the home was Dr. C. M. Wright II, who practiced medicine in Altamont for 65 years, his wife and young son, Charles M. Wright III. After retiring in 1977 as a corporate attorney for Shell Oil, Charles III moved back to Altamont to live in the old family home. Charles died in 2001. The Wright home was left in a trust to be preserved, maintained and operated as a public institution by a trustee of the Effingham State Bank. The Wright House Property not for profit) board included the bank trustee and community members.
On May 8, 1986 the house was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. The House is open Sundays in June, July and August from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Closed most holidays. Group tours are given by appointment any other day.
Ballard Nature Center consists of 210 acre (0.8498406 km²), including 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of woodland, 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) of restored prairie, 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of shallow water wetlands and 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) of agricultural land. Ernie Ballard's donation of 210 acre (0.8498406 km²) for the site of a nature center and the funds to construct a visitor center, show of his great generosity, concern for the environment, and his foresight for the future. He developed a non-profit 501 (C) 3 foundation, in August 1999, to oversee the development and management of the center. Construction of the log building began in October 1999 and was opened to the public in July 2000. His gift is a culmination of Ernie's interest in conservaion and helping people. He and his wife Wanda viewed the property as a "valuable legacy for future generations".
The purpose of the Ballard Nature Center is to provide high quality environmental education, and a place for the enjoyment of nature. Educational programs have been developed for schools, who come to the center on field trips. Educational exhibits on Illinois' natural resources have been designed for all ages to enjoy, and are continuing to be added. Topics of displays include, trees, birds, bats, insects, and mammals. Adult and family programs are offered throughout the year, as well as summer nature study classes for children. Prairie restoration, wetland development, and trail development projects are ongoing. Many projects at the center have been accomplished with volunteer help. The center is a wonderful resource for 4-H, scouts, schools, and environmental organizations.
Ballard Nature Center receives no government funding, and is supported largely by donations and memberships.
The 4300 square feet (399.5 m²) handicapped accessible building includes a library, office, bird viewing area, exhibit room, featuring interpretive displays on various interesting "bits of nature" relevant to the area, and a full basement with kitchen, restrooms, classroom/meeting rooms. A picnic area and pavilions are available for reservation, when they become available. The lower level is available for use by school groups, educators, organizations, and for workshops. Walking trails through prairie, woodlands, and wetlands are available, and interpretive trails are being developed.
The Altamont Living Museum is a not-for-profit organization offering many forms of entertainment. You'll find award winning performers, plays performed by our local theater troupe A.C.T. and Altamont High school students, country/bluegrass variety shows on Tuesday nights, and memorabilia exhibits on display for your enjoyment. The building is also available for special events such as receptions, special music shows and meetings. The museum has a stage complete with stage lighting, lighting booth, sound system, a sound booth and a house that seats about 120. Downstairs is a kitchen and a meeting room that is capable of holding 40 people comfortably.
, east of the Grade School, but west of the Fairgrounds. Gilbert Park is home to four baseball/softball diamonds, an indoor batting cage, playground equipment and soccer fields. NEW! (Fall 2010) A 9 hole disc golf course sponsored by the Altamont Lions has been added to the park. This recreational course is a great beginners course and is free to the public.
Schmidt Park, located just west off Illinois Route 128
and behind the Dairy Bar, is a large park dedicated to picnic pavilions and playground equipment for children.
Klitzing Park (Train Park) is located just west off Main Street, north of the downtown Triangle, in the location where the old grade school used to be. It too features playground equipment for the younger children. It also has an area for people to skateboard on what used to be tennis courts. Klitzing Park also has a basketball court.
The Altamont Garden Club exists for the beautification of the community, and has planted and cared for many areas around town, including on the Triangle and Schmidt Park. The Altamont Junior Women's Club, in existence since 1965, sponsors many annual events including the Halloween Parade and Cuddly Bunny Contest, as well as sponsoring several blood drives each year.
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 2,283 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Altamont is located at 39°3′25"N 88°44′51"W (39.0569861, -88.7474670 ). According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
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 2,283 people, 899 households, and 608 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,751.6 inhabitants per square mile (678.1/km²). There were 955 housing units at an average density of 732.7 per square mile (283.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.30% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Native American, Pacific Islander, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.
There were 899 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% 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, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,186, and the median income for a family was $37,837. Males had a median income of $27,639 versus $18,446 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 $15,478. About 4.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Altamont is served by Interstate 70Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
, U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 is an east–west United States highway. As with most routes whose numbers end in a zero, U.S. 40 once traversed the entire United States. It is one of the original 1920s U.S. Highways, and its first termini were San Francisco, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey...
, and Illinois Route 128
Illinois Route 128
Illinois Route 128 is a north–south state road in east-central Illinois. It runs from Interstate 70 in Altamont to Illinois Route 121 in Dalton City. This is a distance of .- Route description :...
, all of which pass through its city limits. What is now U.S. Route 40 was once known as the "National Road
National Road
The National Road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Construction began heading west in 1811 at Cumberland, Maryland, on the Potomac River. It crossed the Allegheny Mountains and southwestern Pennsylvania, reaching...
" and before that the "Cumberland Road".
Amtrak
Amtrak
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...
service to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and New Orleans and all points in between can be accessed in Effingham
Effingham, Illinois
Effingham is a city in Effingham County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,384 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Effingham County....
, 12 miles (19 km) to the east.
History
As local legend goes, one Griffin Tipsword came to this part of IllinoisIllinois
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,...
and took up his abode with the Kickapoo Indians. At this time these Indians were peaceable and indifferent to the coming and the struggle of a white man. Tipsword was a white man by birth and an Indian by adoption. He was a pioneer, a missionary preacher, hunter and medicine man among the Indians. The Altamont Indians no doubt got their name from Tipsword's association with his friends, the Indians. Tipsword's family name was Sowards. He called himself Tipsword after coming to Illinois. Tipsword was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, first fighting in the battle of Ramsour's Mill in the Carolina's. Griffin died in 1845 and was buried on the banks of Wolff Creek (Tipsword family cemetery, Effingham, IL), leaving three sons, John, Isaac and Thomas, who have left many descendants in the Altamont area today.
Altamont, the "City of Plain", was laid out in Mound Township
Mound Township, Effingham County, Illinois
Mound Township is one of fifteen townships in Effingham County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,434.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Mound Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.35 percent is water....
, considered to be the richest and best township in Effingham County - being mostly prairies and farm ground - slightly rolling along the streams, Big Creek, Coon Creek and Second Creek. Mound Township was settled early by German immigrants coming from the "Faterland" on the banks of the Rhine by way of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The name Altamont, like the name Mound Township, was bestowed upon it by J.W. Conlogue because of the elevation or "mound" which lies to the northwest. The first part of the word meaning altitude, the latter part mount or mound. Conlogue was a romantic, thus naming his town from Latin.
In early History of Effingham County edited by William Henry Perrin in 1883, he wrote: "The name of Mound Township was bestowed upon it in consequence of what is known as the neighborhood of Blue Mound, a slight elevation of Section 8, which is nearly all a kind of mound, the apex being in the center of the section, and having an altitude of seventy-eight feet above the bed of the Vandalia Railroad, which passes near it. Recently, the Government has erected a signal observatory upon it, some seventy-five to one hundred feet in height, from the top of which one may look across the States of Missouri and Arkansas and see the cowboys watching their herds on the prairies of Texas."
On the bank of the small creek just south of what is now Altamont (Southmore Heights) there had been established a little trading center called Montville. The postmaster was G.H. Milleville and in 1871 the post office was moved to this new place called Altamont. Altamont was first organized as a town in 1871.
On August 8, 1872, the Town of Altamont adopted the Village form of government which consists of a Mayor and four Council Members. On April 16, 1901, the voters of the Village of Altamont adopted the City Organization form of government and became the City of Altamont.
Government
The City of Altamont is governed by an elected mayor and an elected city council consisting of four members. Munsel Kull currently serves as mayor, and the city council members are Newt Kylie, Dumpster Dave, Jerry White, and Rich Kelly.Education
Altamont is home to two grade schools and one high school.Altamont Lutheran Interparish School (ALIS) is a private school serving grades K-8, located at the corner of Division St. and Edwards St., just across the street from Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gail Traub currently serves as principal of ALIS. The cornerstone reads "Immanuel Lutheran School 1959", but the school is now a joint effort of Immanuel, Bethlehem, St. Paul (Blue Point) and Zion Lutheran Churches, all of which are within the Missouri Synod division of the Lutheran Church. Its sports teams are known as the Rockets.
In 1905, a school building was erected behind Immanuel. Later, in 1928, a school building was purchased for $250, rebuilt, and added to the existing school for a second room. The Cornerstone for a new, modern school building was laid on July 26, 1959. This building was dedicated on Sunday, January 31, 1960. The total cost of this project, including land and other items, was approximately $200,000. The final payment on the school was made in 1966.
In early 1973, St. Paul Blue Point and Immanuel, Altamont formed Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in Altamont. St. Paul paid for the addition of two rooms to the school at a cost of $40,000. The school at St. Paul was discontinued and the students were taken to the Interparish School. St. Paul's school had been in use since 1910.
Zion Lutheran School was organized in 1887, before the Congregation had been formed. In 1922 the Zion Church building was dedicated so the school was now used exclusively for school classes. In 1931, the Ladies Aid started a fund for a new school. The new school was dedicated in 1938, complete with electricity, which was also installed in the church parsonage at that time. The school was closed for a period of time but reopened in 1956 with Gladys Heiser as teacher. In 1972 Zion school closed and children began attending Altamont Lutheran Interparish School. Zion became a corporate member of ALIS in 1989.
In 1861, the congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church erected a building which served as both a church and a school until 1867 when the present church building was built. In 1873 the school enrollment was 123 students. In 1940, the English language began to be used in quite a few subjects as well as religion classes. The teaching of the German language was discontinued in 1954.
In December 1958 the Bethlehem school building failed an inspection by the State Fire Marshall. Voters decided to make the most necessary improvements in order to keep the school open, hoping to build a new school soon. Immanuel Congregation approached Bethlehem in regards to school consolidation. In 1960 it was decided to drop the school consolidation idea and build a new school. In 1961 enrollment showed 51 students and the congregation decided to build a parish hall in connection with the new school.
On August 26, 1962, Bethlehem Congregation dedicated their new school building which contained three classrooms, office, restrooms, parish hall/gym and kitchen.
Twenty-five years later, in May 1987, the Bethlehem Lutheran School closed and students began attending ALIS in August. In 1988, Bethlehem became a member of ALIS.
To accommodate the additional students from the Bethlehem and Zion congregations a major building project was undertaken in the summer of 1989. Four classrooms were added to the north end of the building and two classrooms, teacher lounge, and storage at the center of the building. The exterior looks were completely changed with the addition of a pitched roof. Each grade now has its own room plus a computer lab and a band room.
In 1990 A.L.I.S. accepted the offer of Dr. D. G. Huelskoetter to donate the Frog Pond Pre-School to A.L.I.S. Frog Pond is not operated as part of A.L.I.S. rather it is rented to three ladies to operate.
Altamont Grade School is a public grade school serving grades K-8 located at 407 S. Edwards St. Enrollment at the beginning of 2011 was 546. Its sports teams are known as the Wildcats. Jerry Tkachuk currently serves as principal of AGS.
Altamont High School is a public high school located at 7 South Ewing Street. The main building was constructed in the early 1950s, and the class of 1954 was the first graduating class. Enrollment at the beginning of 2011 was 285. Its sports teams are known as the Indians. Todd Bean currently serves as principal at ACHS.
Both Altamont Grade School and Altamont High School are part of Altamont Community Unit School District #10. Jeff Fritchnitch is the current Superintendent of Schools.
Points of interest
Altamont is home to the Effingham County Fairgrounds. Considered to be one of the best of all county fairs in Illinois, the Effingham County Fair comes to town each year during the first week of August. The fair celebrated its 62nd year in 2007, and has been in Altamont continuously since 1946. Each year the County Fair hosts nationally known country singers, a national touring rodeo, two ITPA truck and tractor pulls, the County Fair Queen pageant, the Effingham County talent show, and the annual Demolition Derby.In addition to the County Fair, the Fairgrounds are host each year to the Illinois High School Rodeo Finals, the Mill Road Thresherman's gathering and the annual Schützenfest
Schützenfest
A Schützenfest is a traditional festival or fair featuring a target shooting competition in the cultures of both Germany and Switzerland....
.
The Wright House is a stately Victorian style home built by C.M. Wright I on a 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tract of land on upper North Main Street in Altamont, where originally stood a two-story frame house that was the Wright family home. The Wright House was built in 1889 by C.M. Wright I, who studied designs and planned the house and most of the details himself. The builder was C.H. Spilman of Toledo, Illinois who agreed to build the house for a total price of seventeen thousand nine hundred sixty-five dollars with the owner furnishing the materials. The total cost, not including furnishing, was approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. The Wright House has 18 furnished rooms, including seven bedrooms. Much of the original furnishings are still in the rooms. It has a full basement and an unpartitioned attic loft, some twenty-five feet high at the roofs' peak.
The second generation to occupy the home was Dr. C. M. Wright II, who practiced medicine in Altamont for 65 years, his wife and young son, Charles M. Wright III. After retiring in 1977 as a corporate attorney for Shell Oil, Charles III moved back to Altamont to live in the old family home. Charles died in 2001. The Wright home was left in a trust to be preserved, maintained and operated as a public institution by a trustee of the Effingham State Bank. The Wright House Property not for profit) board included the bank trustee and community members.
On May 8, 1986 the house was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. The House is open Sundays in June, July and August from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Closed most holidays. Group tours are given by appointment any other day.
Ballard Nature Center consists of 210 acre (0.8498406 km²), including 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of woodland, 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) of restored prairie, 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of shallow water wetlands and 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) of agricultural land. Ernie Ballard's donation of 210 acre (0.8498406 km²) for the site of a nature center and the funds to construct a visitor center, show of his great generosity, concern for the environment, and his foresight for the future. He developed a non-profit 501 (C) 3 foundation, in August 1999, to oversee the development and management of the center. Construction of the log building began in October 1999 and was opened to the public in July 2000. His gift is a culmination of Ernie's interest in conservaion and helping people. He and his wife Wanda viewed the property as a "valuable legacy for future generations".
The purpose of the Ballard Nature Center is to provide high quality environmental education, and a place for the enjoyment of nature. Educational programs have been developed for schools, who come to the center on field trips. Educational exhibits on Illinois' natural resources have been designed for all ages to enjoy, and are continuing to be added. Topics of displays include, trees, birds, bats, insects, and mammals. Adult and family programs are offered throughout the year, as well as summer nature study classes for children. Prairie restoration, wetland development, and trail development projects are ongoing. Many projects at the center have been accomplished with volunteer help. The center is a wonderful resource for 4-H, scouts, schools, and environmental organizations.
Ballard Nature Center receives no government funding, and is supported largely by donations and memberships.
The 4300 square feet (399.5 m²) handicapped accessible building includes a library, office, bird viewing area, exhibit room, featuring interpretive displays on various interesting "bits of nature" relevant to the area, and a full basement with kitchen, restrooms, classroom/meeting rooms. A picnic area and pavilions are available for reservation, when they become available. The lower level is available for use by school groups, educators, organizations, and for workshops. Walking trails through prairie, woodlands, and wetlands are available, and interpretive trails are being developed.
The Altamont Living Museum is a not-for-profit organization offering many forms of entertainment. You'll find award winning performers, plays performed by our local theater troupe A.C.T. and Altamont High school students, country/bluegrass variety shows on Tuesday nights, and memorabilia exhibits on display for your enjoyment. The building is also available for special events such as receptions, special music shows and meetings. The museum has a stage complete with stage lighting, lighting booth, sound system, a sound booth and a house that seats about 120. Downstairs is a kitchen and a meeting room that is capable of holding 40 people comfortably.
Parks
Altamont is served by three separate parks, administered by the City of Altamont. Gilbert Park, the largest of the three, is located just off U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 is an east–west United States highway. As with most routes whose numbers end in a zero, U.S. 40 once traversed the entire United States. It is one of the original 1920s U.S. Highways, and its first termini were San Francisco, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey...
, east of the Grade School, but west of the Fairgrounds. Gilbert Park is home to four baseball/softball diamonds, an indoor batting cage, playground equipment and soccer fields. NEW! (Fall 2010) A 9 hole disc golf course sponsored by the Altamont Lions has been added to the park. This recreational course is a great beginners course and is free to the public.
Schmidt Park, located just west off Illinois Route 128
Illinois Route 128
Illinois Route 128 is a north–south state road in east-central Illinois. It runs from Interstate 70 in Altamont to Illinois Route 121 in Dalton City. This is a distance of .- Route description :...
and behind the Dairy Bar, is a large park dedicated to picnic pavilions and playground equipment for children.
Klitzing Park (Train Park) is located just west off Main Street, north of the downtown Triangle, in the location where the old grade school used to be. It too features playground equipment for the younger children. It also has an area for people to skateboard on what used to be tennis courts. Klitzing Park also has a basketball court.
Community
Altamont is home to several service organizations. The Altamont Lions Club has been continuously active in the community since 1938. The Altamont Lions Club currently operates the youth basketball and soccer programs, have an annual Fishing Rodeo, sponsor a golf tournament, participate in Lions International Candy Day each fall, sponsor local youth for trips abroad and within the USA, and contribute toward Ballard Nature Center and the local parks.The Altamont Garden Club exists for the beautification of the community, and has planted and cared for many areas around town, including on the Triangle and Schmidt Park. The Altamont Junior Women's Club, in existence since 1965, sponsors many annual events including the Halloween Parade and Cuddly Bunny Contest, as well as sponsoring several blood drives each year.
External links
- City of Altamont
- Altamont Chamber of Commerce
- Effingham County Fair
- Ballard Nature Center
- Wright House
- Altamont Community Unit #10 Schools
- Altamont Lutheran Interparish School
- Frog Pond Nursery School (Archived 2009-10-25)
- Altamont Living Museum
- Altamont Public Library
- Mill Road Thresherman's Association Steam Gas & Threshing Show
- Illinois High School Rodeo Association
- Altamont Ambulance is the 911 Provider for Effingham County, Illinois