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Bushnell, IllinoisBushnell is a rural town located in west central Illinois about 50 miles east of the Mississippi River. Bushnell is known for its deep roots in agriculture and industry. Corn and soybean fields influence the landscape, and the city proudly houses several manufacturing facilities that employ hundreds of our own residents.
Bushnell is a living example of the American spirit. Its rich history began in 1854 with the Northern Cross Railroad, and it continues today with an emphasis on hard work and service both to our own neighbors and to our great country. One of the few small towns that can still boast a variety of local businesses, healthcare, grocery, and retail options, as well as its own community unit school district, Bushnell truly is a great place to work, raise a family, and live. Come visit us in the heart of Forgottonia and see for yourself. |
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About Bushnell
Data
- Founded: 1854
- County: McDonough
- Population: 2,718 (2020 Census)
- Geography: 40°33′6″N 90°30′29″W
- Area: 2.13 square miles
- Public school district(s): Bushnell-Prairie City Community Unit School District #170
history & Facts
Founding
Bushnell was founded in 1854 when the Northern Cross Railroad built a railway line through the area. Mr. Nehemiah Bushnell was the president of the railroad, and residents honored him by naming their community after him. The railroad later became part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which continues to operate through Bushnell under the name Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Bushnell was also served by the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway, now the Keokuk Junction Railway. Amtrak trains also pass through the city but do not schedule stops here.
The Nagel Brothers
The Nagel Brothers of Bushnell were the first to invent a process of making rolled oats without having to steam the oats. Up until this time, the oats were first steamed to separate the groat from the hull. The patent for this new process was later sold to the Quaker Company.
Industry
Bushnell is long-time home to Vaughan & Bushnell hammer factory, ADM, Midwest Control, Steinjager, and Schuld Tank Company. These community businesses employ hundreds of Bushnell residents.
Truman Pioneer Stud Farm
Beginning in 1908, the Truman Pioneer Stud Farm in Bushnell was home to one of the largest horse shows in the Midwest. The show was well known for imported European horses. The Bushnell Horse Show returned in 2004 and has become one of the better draft horse hitch shows in the tri-state region. The Bushnell Horse Show features some of the best Belgian and Percheron hitches in the country. Teams have come from many different states and Canada to compete.
Music
From 1991 to 2012, Bushnell was home to one of the largest Christian Music and Arts festivals in the world, known as the Cornerstone Festival. Each year around the 4th of July, around 25,000 people from all over the world would descend on our small town to experience over 300 bands, authors, and artists perform at the Cornerstone Farm Campgrounds.
Numerous live albums and videos have been recorded or filmed in Bushnell, including the annual Cornerstone Festival DVD. The festival's 20th anniversary DVD also included interviews with local Bushnell citizens and business owners.
Cornerstone held its final festival in 2012.
Bushnell was founded in 1854 when the Northern Cross Railroad built a railway line through the area. Mr. Nehemiah Bushnell was the president of the railroad, and residents honored him by naming their community after him. The railroad later became part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which continues to operate through Bushnell under the name Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Bushnell was also served by the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway, now the Keokuk Junction Railway. Amtrak trains also pass through the city but do not schedule stops here.
The Nagel Brothers
The Nagel Brothers of Bushnell were the first to invent a process of making rolled oats without having to steam the oats. Up until this time, the oats were first steamed to separate the groat from the hull. The patent for this new process was later sold to the Quaker Company.
Industry
Bushnell is long-time home to Vaughan & Bushnell hammer factory, ADM, Midwest Control, Steinjager, and Schuld Tank Company. These community businesses employ hundreds of Bushnell residents.
Truman Pioneer Stud Farm
Beginning in 1908, the Truman Pioneer Stud Farm in Bushnell was home to one of the largest horse shows in the Midwest. The show was well known for imported European horses. The Bushnell Horse Show returned in 2004 and has become one of the better draft horse hitch shows in the tri-state region. The Bushnell Horse Show features some of the best Belgian and Percheron hitches in the country. Teams have come from many different states and Canada to compete.
Music
From 1991 to 2012, Bushnell was home to one of the largest Christian Music and Arts festivals in the world, known as the Cornerstone Festival. Each year around the 4th of July, around 25,000 people from all over the world would descend on our small town to experience over 300 bands, authors, and artists perform at the Cornerstone Farm Campgrounds.
Numerous live albums and videos have been recorded or filmed in Bushnell, including the annual Cornerstone Festival DVD. The festival's 20th anniversary DVD also included interviews with local Bushnell citizens and business owners.
Cornerstone held its final festival in 2012.
Gallery
from the mayor
Robin Wilt, Mayor
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Welcome to Bushnell, Illinois! Bushnell is the "Small Town with a Big Heart"! Bushnell prides itself in the dedication we have to our community. Bushnell is a very patriotic town. We are home to the Bushnell Patriot Flags, an organization who honors all Veterans and current Military with magnificent displays of the American Flags as well as "Welcome Home" celebrations for our Military. Bushnell is located in the middle of farm country and the town itself is full of manufacturing businesses. We are sure you will love our corner of the world!
Our property taxes are lower than outlying areas in the County. Bushnell owns their own power plant. Bushnell has many qualities that a bigger town offers with a small-town touch. We have our own medical clinic with physical therapy facilities. We have an extended care/residential home for retirees. We have a variety of Churches for your spiritual needs. We have a golf course right in town. We have so much more that we can't wait to share with you! |
Our Schools here in Bushnell are amoung the County's finest. We have an elementary school, junior high and high school all right here in town. Our high school has an all-weather track that can be used by the Community, a "bowl" gymnasium that doesn't have a bad seat in the house. Our junior high is right next to the high school with all the amenities afforded to the students and staff that they could want. In 2019, our Community will be able to be involved in a CEO program with schools in our County that will benefit us in the future of our Community!
Our City is managed and maintained by a wonderful group of people who come together daily to make a difference. We employ a great group to keep our Community functional. However, we need to rely on our Community Members to help us maintain this beauty - and we want you in that group! If you are interested in becoming a member of our government in town - we have a City Council with 8 Aldermen, 2 from each Ward, a Mayor, City Treasurer and City Attorney. Meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Monday at City Hall and are open to the public. We invite you to attend and see first hand how the City works!
Our City is managed and maintained by a wonderful group of people who come together daily to make a difference. We employ a great group to keep our Community functional. However, we need to rely on our Community Members to help us maintain this beauty - and we want you in that group! If you are interested in becoming a member of our government in town - we have a City Council with 8 Aldermen, 2 from each Ward, a Mayor, City Treasurer and City Attorney. Meetings are held twice a month on the first and third Monday at City Hall and are open to the public. We invite you to attend and see first hand how the City works!
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