About Us
 

Towanda, Illinois is located in McLean County in central Illinois - at exit 171 along Interstate Route 55, a few miles northeast of the twin cities of Bloomington/Normal. In 2008 the village of Towanda has a population of 550. The village also serves rural residents in Towanda and Money Creek Townships, which include nearby Lamplighter, Walnut Grove, and Indian Creek subdivisions

See more photos The Good Old Days Duncan Manor Barns

The 40 acres for the 'downtown' portion of Towanda was donated by P. A. Bedeau for town purposes in 1853. Jesse W. Fell, the founder of Illinois State University, was among those who surveyed adjacent land into town lots and sold the lots to businesses and individuals. The village was bisected diagonally by the railway with the business section located on one side and grain elevators, implements, and lumber on the other.

It is believed that Towanda, Pennsylvania was the inspiration for the name of the new town, since the former had been the birthplace of Jesse Fell.  The name 'Towanda' is derived from an Indian word that means 'burial ground' or 'place we bury our dead'. Towanda was incorporated into a village in 1875.

The railroad line that bisects the village was central to the life of the residents and local farmers. During the mid-20th century, Route 66 passed through the village and was a major source of business and income. For many years self contained, with doctors, cafes, groceries, blacksmiths, churches, schools, a drugstore and a bank, Towanda has now become primarily a bedroom community for the nearby cities of Bloomington and Normal relying on them for employment, entertainment, shopping, health care and other services. And although the railroad still passes through, it no longer makes a stop at Towanda.

However, the Towanda area lives on as a close knit community through the community building, the library, the Historic Route 66 linear park, the involvement of its citizens in its many local organizations, and major community events such as the Fourth of July parade and flea market that draw thousands, the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event each May, the annual boy scout pancake breakfast, and many more local activities and events.

 
  1908 Photograph of the railroad tracks that bisect Towanda with the businesses to the left, grain elevators and lumber yard to the right.

1954 - Fern's Cafe served customers along Route 66

   
                     4th of July Parade, 2007

Car show during the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event in May, 2008