Sugar Creek (Sangamon River tributary)
Encyclopedia
Sugar Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon River
, is a large creek in central Illinois
. It rises in Talkington Township
in southwestern Sangamon County
, flows briefly through northeastern Macoupin County
, and then runs northeastward through south-central Sangamon County before discharging into Lake Springfield
. The creek drains Auburn
and Virden, Illinois
and has a total length of 52.8 miles (85 km).
s in Illinois Territory
. This fact, and the fertility of the surrounding prairie
land, made the Sugar Creek drainage a focus of interest for early American pioneers immediately after the end of the War of 1812
. A six-member kinship group led by Robert Pulliam built homestead cabins on the creek in 1817 near what is now the unincorporated suburban village of Glenarm
. Many pioneers followed Pulliam's group to Sugar Creek in the 1820s and following years, helping to settle central Illinois and building a community of primarily southern heritage.
In 1880, township authorities built a Burr arch covered bridge
going east-west over Sugar Creek near the site of the original sugar maple grove and Robert Pulliam's cabin (which has disappeared). The bridge has a span of 60 feet (18 m). , the covered bridge is one of only four original covered bridges remaining in Illinois, although it has been rebuilt several times.
The Sugar Creek Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1978.
Sangamon River
The Sangamon River is a principal tributary of the Illinois River, approximately long, in central Illinois in the United States. It drains a mostly rural agricultural area between Peoria and Springfield...
, is a large creek in central 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,...
. It rises in Talkington Township
Talkington Township, Sangamon County, Illinois
Talkington Township is located in Sangamon County, Illinois. The population was 263 at the 2000 census.-External links:* * *...
in southwestern Sangamon County
Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
, flows briefly through northeastern Macoupin County
Macoupin County, Illinois
Macoupin County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 47,765, which is a decrease of 2.6% from 49,019 in 2000. The county seat is Carlinville. Macoupin County is an outlying county of the Metro-East region...
, and then runs northeastward through south-central Sangamon County before discharging into Lake Springfield
Lake Springfield
Lake Springfield is a 4,260 acre reservoir located in the city of Springfield, Illinois, southeast of downtown. It is 560 feet above sea level...
. The creek drains Auburn
Auburn, Illinois
Auburn is a city in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census, and 4,445 in 2009. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Auburn is located at ....
and Virden, Illinois
Virden, Illinois
Virden is a city in Macoupin and Sangamon counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 3,488 at the 2000 census, and 3,338 at a 2009 estimate....
and has a total length of 52.8 miles (85 km).
Historic interest
Sugar Creek, during early historic times, offered a habitat for one of the southernmost groves of sugar mapleSugar Maple
Acer saccharum is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas...
s in Illinois Territory
Illinois Territory
The Territory of Illinois was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 1, 1809, until December 3, 1818, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Illinois. The area was earlier known as "Illinois Country" while under...
. This fact, and the fertility of the surrounding prairie
Prairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
land, made the Sugar Creek drainage a focus of interest for early American pioneers immediately after the end of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. A six-member kinship group led by Robert Pulliam built homestead cabins on the creek in 1817 near what is now the unincorporated suburban village of Glenarm
Glenarm, Illinois
Glenarm is an unincorporated community in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. Glenarm is located along Interstate 55 south of Springfield. Glenarm has a post office with ZIP code 62536.-Education:...
. Many pioneers followed Pulliam's group to Sugar Creek in the 1820s and following years, helping to settle central Illinois and building a community of primarily southern heritage.
In 1880, township authorities built a Burr arch covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
going east-west over Sugar Creek near the site of the original sugar maple grove and Robert Pulliam's cabin (which has disappeared). The bridge has a span of 60 feet (18 m). , the covered bridge is one of only four original covered bridges remaining in Illinois, although it has been rebuilt several times.
The Sugar Creek Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1978.