Barry Illinois: A Historic Gem in Pike County
History of Barry Illinois
Barry, a charming village in Pike County, Illinois, boasts a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. Its story is one of growth, resilience, and community spirit.
- Founded in 1836 by Calvin R. Stone, who named it after his hometown of Barry, Vermont.
- Incorporated as a village in 1856, marking its official establishment.
- Thrived as an agricultural center in the 19th century, benefiting from the fertile soil of the region.
- Experienced significant growth with the arrival of the railroad in 1869, connecting it to larger markets.
- Survived the challenges of the Great Depression, maintaining its strong community bonds.
- Home to several notable residents, including John Hay, who served as Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
- Celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2006, showcasing its pride in its long and storied history.
Notable Attractions
Barry offers several attractions that appeal to both residents and visitors:
- John Hay Historical Home: The birthplace of the renowned statesman, now a museum.
- Barry Community Park: A large park offering recreational facilities and green spaces.
- Barry Apple Festival: An annual event celebrating the region’s apple harvest.
- Historic Downtown: Featuring well-preserved 19th-century architecture and local businesses.
- Barry Wood Products: A local manufacturer known for its high-quality wooden pallets and crates.
- Barry Baptist Church: A historic church dating back to 1830, one of the oldest in the area.
- Kinderhook Creek: Offering opportunities for fishing and nature walks.
Statistical Data
Here are some key statistics about Barry, Illinois:
- Population: Approximately 1,300 residents as of the 2020 census.
- Land Area: About 1.08 square miles (2.80 km²).
- Elevation: 741 feet (226 m) above sea level.
- Median Age: Around 41 years old.
- Median Household Income: Approximately $45,000 (as of 2019).
- Education: Served by the Western Community Unit School District #12.
- Climate: Humid continental, with warm summers and cold winters.
- Economy: Primarily based on agriculture, small businesses, and light industry.
Points of interest near Barry
Airports
Churches
- Barry United Methodist Church, which is on 720 Perry Street, Barry.
- Barry Church of Christ, which is on 1166 Mason Street, Barry.
- Maranatha Christian Center, which is on 210 S Main Street, New Canton.
- Hull United Methodist Church, which is on 350 Illinois 106, Hull.
- Faith Chapel, which is on 102 South Church Street, Plainville.
- Barry Baptist Church, which is on 900 Main Street, Barry.
- First Christian Church, which is on 900 Bainbridge Street, Barry.
- New Canton United Methodist Church, which is on 275 Palmyra Street, New Canton.
- The House of Prayer Church, which is on 310 Van Buren Street, Kinderhook.
- United Baptist Church, which is on 310 Van Buren Street, Kinderhook.
Fire Stations
- Baylis Fire Department, which is on Railroad Street, Baylis.
- Barry Fire Department, which is on 867 Main Street, Barry.
- New Canton Fire Department, which is on New Canton.
- Hull-Kinderhook Fire Protection, which is on Kinderhook.
- Hull-Kinderhook FPD, which is on 320 Illinois 106, Hull.
Secondary Schools
- Western High School, which is on 401 McDonough Street, Barry.
- Western Junior High School, which is on 300 Chaney Street, Kinderhook.
Parks
- Pike-Adams Sportmen’s Park, which is on 31943 250th Street, Barry.
- Henderson Park, which is on Main Street, New Canton.
- McFarland Park, which is on 150 Church Street, New Canton.
- Grubb Hollow Prairie Nature Preserve, which is on New Canton.
- Kinderhook City Park, which is on 110 Pittsfield Street, Kinderhook.
- Buck Chasers, which is on 2980 North 250th Avenue, Baylis.
- Bob Colgrove Memorial Park, which is on 675 Lee Evans Drive, Hull.
- Lafayette Park, which is on Barry.
Museums
- Hull History Lives Museum, which is on 695 Dixie Street, Hull.
City halls
- City of Barry, which is on 1005 Bainbridge Street, Barry.
Govt offices
- Pike County Housing Authority, which is on 838 Mason Street, Barry.
- Sny Island Levee Drainage District, which is on 490 Main Street, New Canton.
- City of Barry, which is on 1005 Bainbridge Street, Barry.
- New Canton City Hall, which is on 103 Main Street, New Canton.
- Pike County Emergency Agency, which is on 125 Main Street, New Canton.
- Barry City Water Pumping Sta, which is on RR 1, Kinderhook.
- Kinderhook Village Hall, which is on 205 Quincy Street, Kinderhook.
- Baylis Village Hall, which is on Baylis.
- Hull City Village Hall, which is on 201 Hull Street, Hull.
Nearby Towns and Suburbs Barry Illinois
- Hadley is 3 miles to the east.
- New Philadelphia is 4 miles to the east.
- New Canton is 5 miles to the south-west.
- El Dara is 5 miles to the south-east.
- Kinderhook is 6 miles to the west.
- Shinn is 6 miles to the west.
- Beverly is 7 miles to the north.
- Baylis is 7 miles to the east.
- Horton is 8 miles to the south.
- Kingston is 8 miles to the north.
- Hull is 9 miles to the west.
- Richfield is 9 miles to the north-west.
- Plainville is 10 miles to the north-west.
- New Salem is 10 miles to the east.
- Rockport is 10 miles to the south.
- Chestline is 11 miles to the north.
