Page Contents for Christopher, Illinois

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Illinois state capital is Springfield.
The population of Christopher is approximately 2,800 (2000), 2382 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,387 (1990), 1066 (2010).
The amount of land area in Christopher is 3.141 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Christopher to Washington DC is 685 miles.
The distance to the Illinois state capital is 129 miles. (as the crow flies)
Christopher is positioned 37.97 degrees north of the equator and 89.05 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

Prior to 1880, Christopher was merely a trading post in an area that was sparsely settled. However, with the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad through the area, growth was inevitable. The first railroad engine arrived on November 16,1879. A meeting was held in the store of James B. Pharsis and the name of the town was selected as Christopher. It was named after Christopher Harrison who founded the town in 1831. In 1879,the local people banded together and built the first railroad depot; thus Christopher,Illinois was born. On February 6,1880 the original plat of Christopher was surveyed. The sinking of Christopher's one and only coal mine began in January 1906. This mine was the North mine, just 1 mile north of Christopher and 1 1/2 miles west of Christopher to Sesser road. (Today Illinois 148) A seam of coal was found 11 feet thick and at a depth of 517 feet. The success of the coal mine made Christopher a city. Then on April 10, 1910, the 1st mayor was elected. Even though Christopher's current population stands about 2,800, it once had a population in excess of 10,000. The city had 4 theaters, three 3-story hotels, 28 grocery stores, 5 bakeries, a swimming pool, a mini golf course, a skating rink, 9 car dealers, 2 banks, 12 service stations and more!
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The incorporation of Christopher

1910

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Christopher Schools

Christopher Community High School
The communities that feed into the high school district include Christopher, Buckner, North City, and Mulkeytown.

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Franklin/Williamson Regional Office of education #21
ROE #21 Provides support services for the 17 school districts in Franklin and Williamson Counties in central southern Illinois. Christopher

Miscellany

The population of Christopher was:
1990 - 2,774
2000 - 2,800