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Godfrey, Illinois

24 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1927 and the latest in 1994. It stands in Godfrey Village. It lies in ZIP code area 62035. The Survey maps it on the Alton quadrangle. 17,825 people lived here at the 2020 count.

Research this city

Godfrey within Madison County

On record in Godfrey

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Godfrey fell from 17,982 to 17,825 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201017,982
202017,825-157 (-1%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

13 surveys from 24 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

In the county-history sources

3,663 words on this township

History of Madison County, Illinois ... With Biographical Sketches .., published 1882 names this settlement in its chapter on Godfrey Village. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

It is a peculiarity of the institutions of the United States in contradistinction to the institutions of every other country, that they assimilate different and discordant nationalities. Every year hundreds of thousands of emigrants arrive from different countries, accustomed to other forms of government speaking other languages, observing different customs; yet are absorbed and assimilated into a nationality. In fact we are a nation of foreign elements. Italy has contributed many of her sons since Columbus discovered the islands along our eastern shores. John Castagnetta was born in Genoa, Italy, April 18, 1829. In 18.53, he reached New York to try his fortune in the new world. His first employment was as a railroad hand on the Charleston and Memphis railroad, then as a baker and confectioner, which he learned in Charleston In 1855, he made his way to St. Louis, thence in November to Alton. In 1856, he locited where he now resides, in Godfrey township, where he engaged in the manufacture of wines, brandies, etc., a business he has since prosecuted with great success. He married Julia Gro.«jean, July 4th, 18,58. She was a native of Paris, France, from whence she came to Highland when a child. They have three children living, Louis, James and Louisa. Mr. Castagnetta is prompt, energetic and awake to business.

Passage source: History of Madison County, Illinois ... With Biographical Sketches .., published 1882.

They roomed together, sleeping on a rude sapling bed under which the chickens roosted. As soon as the Bishop and family were comfortably housed, Mr. Merriman left for St. Louis. For nine years he remained here plying his trade, as carpenter and builder. In 1844 he commenced farming operations in St. Louis Co., Missouri. Here he carried with him his devotion and influence as a Christian man, and was the means of establi.*hing a mission at Bridgeton, a town near his home. In 1845 his wife Edith died, leaving to his care one son and one adopted daughter. In 1850 he, accompanied by his son Charles, then fifteen years of age, went to California, crossing the plains e/i route, here he remained two years, returning via the Isthmus and New Orleans, settling finally on the farm in Godfrey township, now occupied by hia son Charles. In 1873 he moved to property purchased by him in North Alton, near the chapel, and devoted much of his time to church labor. He was married to Lucinda Wells on the 15th of December, 1845. He died August 13, 1881. At the time he was Senior Warden in the church in whose success he took so great an interest. For nearly a half century, amid the ups and downs of a more or less wandering life beset by its strong temptations, he was found always faithful and true to his trust. His memory is held in dear esteem by hosts of his friends who knew him, as an honest, upright. Christian man.

Passage source: History of Madison County, Illinois ... With Biographical Sketches .., published 1882.

The present popular supervisor representing Godfrey township in the county board, is a young man possessed of many commendable traits of character. He was born December 11, 1843. His parents were William and Lydia Squire (Widaman). His father, William, was a native of Devon" shire, England, where he was born August 9th, 1814. He came to America in 1835, locating first in Coshocton county, Ohio, from whence he came to Madison county, 111., in 1839. Arriving in Alton he commenced wrk as a laborer, but, upon his refusing to work on Sunday, he quit his employment, and moved to Godfrey, where he became foreman on Godfrey's farm, a place he held for years. His wife, Lydia Widaman, «as a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where she was born March 8, 1818. Her father was a teacher - a vocation he pursued first in Germany, then in this country. On the first of March, 18-13, she and William Squire were united in marriage by Rev. I. B. Randle, of Edwardsville.

Passage source: History of Madison County, Illinois ... With Biographical Sketches .., published 1882.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Godfrey Village - it names this place 3 more 3 times.

Fires near this place

7 since 2008

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 7 fires within 5 miles of Godfrey between 2008 and 2010, burning about 7 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined7

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
21 May 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesHATFIELD
21 May 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesALLIANCE
7 March 2009Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreIllinois Division of Forestry Resources90313
23 March 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources90337
9 February 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources90207
12 November 2010Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesWAGONBLAST
29 January 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIllinois Division of Forestry ResourcesRUPPERT

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Madison County

Mines and quarries near this place

8 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 8 workings within 5 miles of Godfrey: 5 past producers, 2 producers, 1 occurrence. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Alton Brick Co.Clay Shale PitClayPast Producer
Alton DredgeSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
St. Charles & Traveler DredgesSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Twin River Loading DockSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Limestone ProspectStone, Crushed/BrokenOccurrence
Lohr QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Mississippi Lime and Material QuarrStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Reliance Quarry Inc. Alton QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer

Every working recorded in Madison County

Storms near this place

57 since 1993

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Godfrey in 57 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 33 thunderstorm wind, 21 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1994Thunderstorm WindGodfrey$500The county sheriff reported several large trees down.
August 1993Thunderstorm WindGodfrey$500The county sheriff reported several large trees down in Granite City. Ham radio spotters also reported large trees down and minor street flooding near Godfrey.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindGodfrey$200Large tree limbs and power lines were knocked down at Godfrey. As the storm hit Alton, large trees fell demolishing a bandstand and heavily damaging at least three homes.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds downed a tree in the Godfrey area.
May 2021Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous tree limbs around town, especially on the southside.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines around Godfrey. In Fosterburg, several large tree limbs were blown down around town, a few of which blocked roadways.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees, numerous tree limbs and power lines between Godfrey and the Alton area. One tree fell onto an unoccupied mobile home in Godfrey. In Alton, a tree fell onto a car and nearby home causing moderate damage to both. In another part of Alton, a large tree fell onto a garage destroying it.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees and tree limbs in Godfrey, Alton and Wood River. Also, several power lines were blown down and city hall in Wood River sustained minor roof and shingle damage.
April 2013Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees and numerous tree limbs around Godfrey.
December 2008Flash FloodGodfrey-Several inches of rain fell in a short amount of time on frozen ground causing flash flooding. In Godfrey and Bethalto, several streets were flooded.
May 2008Flash FloodGodfrey-Heavy rain caused localized flash flodding in Northeast Madison County. Highway 140 in Bethalto near the intersection South Prairie Road has to be closed.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Several mobile homes and campers were blown over at a storage facility near the intersection of Highway 267 and 67.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Several large trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
November 2005HailGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported 3/4 inch hail.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported roof damage to a storage building.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported small trees and large tree branches down.
April 2003HailGodfrey-The County Sheriff reported 3/4 inch hail in the Godfrey area.
April 2003HailGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported 1 inch hail.
April 2003HailGodfrey-The County Sheriff reported 1 inch hail.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-County Emergency Management reported power lines down in Godfrey.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported some trees and power lines down.
April 2001HailGodfrey-Amateur radio spotters reported nickel size hail.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-Storm spotters reported trees down along Route 100.
April 2026HailGodfrey-no account filed
July 2023HailGodfrey-no account filed
June 2018HailGodfrey-no account filed
May 2018HailGodfrey-no account filed
April 2016HailGodfrey-no account filed
April 2015HailGodfrey-no account filed
May 2014HailGodfrey-no account filed
April 2013HailGodfrey-no account filed
March 2012HailGodfrey-no account filed
April 2011HailGodfrey-no account filed
August 2010Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
May 2009HailGodfrey-no account filed
May 2009HailGodfrey-no account filed
May 2009HailGodfrey-no account filed
February 2008HailGodfrey-no account filed
August 2008Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
June 2005Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
June 2005Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
September 2005Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
September 2005Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
August 2005Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
May 2004Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
July 2004Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
May 2003Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
July 2003Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
May 2002Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
May 2002Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
July 2001HailGodfrey-no account filed
September 2000Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
April 1998FloodGodfrey-no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindGodfrey-no account filed
April 1997HailGodfrey-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Madison County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Belmont Village0.9 miles24
Southmoor1.7 miles24
North Alton2.4 miles24
Alandale2.5 miles24
Altamont2.6 miles24
Sloan3.3 miles24
Melville3.4 miles24
Woods3.5 miles23

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on GodfreyAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1533793The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 409107. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.