Towanda is a village in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 550 at the 2007 census. It is part of the Bloomington–Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Landmarks of Towanda include a grain silo complex , local library, and Towanda Elementary School of Normal, Illinois School District Unit Number 5, Kicks Bar and grill, Fast Stop, The Pond, 66 Trail, haunted cemetery.
The village gets 37 inches (940 mm) of rain per year. The U.S. average is 37. Snowfall is 24 inches (610 mm). The average U.S. city gets 25 inches (640 mm) of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation in the village is 104.
There are 190 sunny days per year in Towanda, IL. The July high is around 87 degrees. The January low is 16. Towanda-area historical tornado activity is slightly above Illinois state average. It is 114% greater than the overall U.S. average. Even though its rare for an actually to strike the town itself.
History
The town of Towanda is older than Bloomington Normal
According to an old Towanda newspaper, it gots its name after Towanda, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the founder of both Bloomington and Illinois State University, Jesse W. Fell who donated the land for the small village. It is also said that the name may have came from the local indian tribes that used to live in Towanda.
Native Americans were the first settlers of the area of Towanda around the Money Creek. Following a Peace treaty made in 1819 they agreed to leave and by 1930 the tribes were gone for the exception of several small groups that sold goods to the settlers, which lasted into the 1900s. Native American artifacts can be found around the town such as arrowheads and etc.
It was in the location of the Chicago and Alton Railroad (now Union Pacific) that ran through the center of town and was vital to town life. The track still passes through town but does not stop there anymore, It made its last stops in 1972. The old steps to get off the train still exist at the curve by Taylor street.
Towanda has a baptist church that is over 100 years old. It has been a center point to the town and is probably the oldest active building. It was first built in 1856 and is still active to this day. There is a huge bible that sits in the center table and it has a copyright date 1895 and is still is used to this day.
The Duncan Mansion is the most famous home in Towanda. Its built outside of the town near the railroad tracks, it is a large 3 story building with 20 rooms. It was built by William R. Duncan for his family in the 1860's and it still stands to this day. It has stood empty over the years and people have broken in and destroyed the inside of the building. It is now being restored by a family that bought it.
Towanda used to have its own high school but it combined with Unit 5 and it was tore down and built into an elementary school.
Their was a reported cross burning and car torching to a black resident during the 70's by Towanda natives. Many of the charges were dropped because the black resident did not report to court for the trial.
Fun Facts
Each July 03, Towanda has a spaghetti supper in the evening and a street dance at night. People from Towanda and surrounding areas come out for the festivities.
On July 04, a parade goes through Towanda and is considered a big event in McLean County. Individuals and families from around Bloomington, Normal, Hudson, Lexington and elsewhere come out for it. Additionally, there is a flea market and the two parks where vendors come from all around the United States to sell their antiques and other items.
Haunted cemetary in Towanda. Over by Walnut Grove. Railroad Trestle more commonly known as the Iron Bridge has reports of strange lights occuring out of no where in the fields. Report of a haunting at the Duncan Mansion, local kids broke in one night and heard doors opening and slamming shut on their own.
Local boys made a music video called Welcome to Towanda that can be viewed on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKMSCGtWVjc
On the early morning of August 9th, 2009 a local boy attending a bonfire witnessed a UFO flying above the fields in Towanda
Leonard Bliss, commonly known as Baby Bliss, a famous man in his time for his gigantic size, was buried in one of the Towanda cemeteries.
There used to be hosted events in town such as bear fights.
Places to Eat
Kicks Bar and Grill, is a small bar that has lunch specials and all types of bar food.
Fast Stop, gas station that sells pizza, wings and doughnuts. (Hint Fast Stop's pizza is better than Kicks!)
Talk that there might be a new restaurant or a Mcdonald's coming
