BlockBefore

Lewistown, Illinois

19 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1925 and the latest in 1990. It stands in Lewistown Township. It lies in ZIP code area 61542. The Survey maps it on the Lewistown quadrangle. 2,041 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 3,950 feet above sea level.

Lewistown within Fulton County

On record in Lewistown

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 5 records

Population over time

2 figures

Lewistown fell from 2,384 to 2,041 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
20102,384
20202,041-343 (-14%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

10 surveys from 19 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

20,657 words on this township

History of Fulton County, Illinois;, published 1879 names this settlement in its chapter on Lewistown Township. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

This township is bounded upon the north by Putman township, upon the east by Liverpool, the south by Waterford, and upon the west by Bcrnadotte. Formerly most of its surface was covered with timber, but muc^h of tliis has been cleared away and the land is in a high state of cultivation. There are in the townshij) 13,471 acres of improved land, with an average value of $24 per acre. Of unimproved land there are 8,796 acres, with an average value of $9.40 per acre. There arc' in the township 851 horses, with an average value of S7'2 per head. Of cattle tiicre are 1,857, having a total value of $22,138. Indeed, as an agricultural township, Lewistown ranks among the first in this fine agricultural county.

Passage source: History of Fulton County, Illinois;, published 1879.

It will naturally be expected that in our historical sketch of Lewistown we will give more than a passing notice of those early and prominent citizens whose fortunes were cast with the early history of the place. For a period of eight years, from 1S21 to 1820, Ossian M. Ross took a conspicnous ])art in jiromoting the enter-, prises of the infant village, so far separated iVoiu civilization. He was a man of great force of character, aud the utuiost coutidence was reposed in him by the few inhabitants of the place, lie moved to Havana, Mason county, in 1829, became its tirst merchant, and there passed the remainder of his days. Stej)hen Dewey, the surveyor and first settler of the town; is described as a social and intelligent gentleman, and occupied various offices of trust and responsibilitv. He erected several of the first buildings of the town. David W. Barnes located here when he first came to the county, which was in 1822, but he .soon removed to his farui near (^anton.

Passage source: History of Fulton County, Illinois;, published 1879.

Stephen Phcljis, of New York, came from the Sangamo country, as Sangamon county was then known, and settled at Lewistown. He is described by Col. Ross as a man of unusual business tact and ability. He rented a portion of a building which stood in the southern i)art of the town, and opened a small stock of goods which he liad purchased at St. Louis. The Indians were then 'numerous, and in tradinti' with them lie secured cdnsiderahle means. He soon was able to erect a store-huihlinjii: of his own, which lie did just north of the brick bu;^iness buihliug owned and occupied by Ileurv Phelps. Here he engaged in an extensive business. The style of the firm name was 8te})hen Phelj)s & Son. He died about 1840, after a life of unusual activity. After his demise the firm was changed to iSIyron Pheljis c\: Son. Myron was an older son of Stej)hen, and about 1841 admitted to partnership his son, HenrA' Phelps, the present head of the Hi-ni. Mr. Myron Phelps died some two years ago. His religious convictions were strong, and toward the Church and business enterprises he was unusually liberal. During his life he laid by a certain portion of his income toward the interests of religion.

Passage source: History of Fulton County, Illinois;, published 1879.

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 Lewistown Township - it names this place 89 more 89 times.

Fires near this place

3 since 1999

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 3 fires within 5 miles of Lewistown between 1999 and 2019, burning about 288 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
Debris and open burning2
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1

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
4 April 2004Missing data/not specified/undetermined28 acresIllinois River National Wildlife RefugeKNOTT FIRE 4-5-04
23 March 2019Debris and open burning10 acresIllinois Division of Forestry Resources19-020
14 October 1999Debris and open burning250 acresIllinois River National Wildlife RefugeCANTERBERR

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Fulton County

Storms near this place

60 since 1995

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Lewistown in 60 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 31 thunderstorm wind, 27 hail, 1 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 2016Thunderstorm WindLewistown$35,000Several trees and large tree branches blown down in Lewistown.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindLewistown$30,000Wind damage reported along Highway 24 from 3 miles east of Lewistown to Little America. Numerous tree branches were blown down and several picnic tables were overturned along this path.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindLewistown$25,000Numerous trees were blown down along IL-97 just north of Lewistown.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindLewistown$25,000Several small trees were blown down in Lewistown. Power lines were also brought down, causing scattered power outages.
April 2014Thunderstorm WindLewistown$20,000A garage was destroyed at Hedgecomb Road in Lewistown.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindLewistown$20,000A 14-inch diameter tree was blown down onto power lines and a parked vehicle.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindLewistown$12,000A garage was damaged and a power pole was blown down.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindLewistown$10,000Large tree limbs were snapped.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindLewistown$10,000A tree was blown down onto the roof of the fire department. Several power lines were blown down across town.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindLewistown$1,000A carport was severely damaged.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A portion of a barn roof was blown off, as were shingles from a home. A portion of a large tree was also blown down. The report was relayed by the county Emergency Manager.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A farm outbuilding lost a small subset of its metal roofing panels.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A trained spotter reported 60-65 mph wind gusts.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A trained spotter estimated a wind gust of 55-60 mph.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Emergency manager estimated 60 mph wind gusts.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A tree was blown over along West Milton Avenue.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Two metal farm outbuildings experienced roof damage and two power poles were blown down northeast of Lewistown.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A grain bin was crumpled.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Extensive tree damage occurred in Lewistown with tree limbs down on houses.
August 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-An 8 to 12-inch diameter tree branch was blown down.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Numerous tree branches were blown down.
March 2022Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A pine tree was snapped.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Debris from yards was blown blocks away.
August 2009FloodLewistown-Heavy rainfall in a short amount of time caused areas of minor flooding in and near Lewistown. Water flowed across the road at Rt 100 and Taylor Road and numerous streets were flooded in Lewistown.
May 2006Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down.
May 2006HailLewistown-Widespread large hail, with maximum sizes ranging from 1 to 3 inches, was reported along a line from Lewistown, to St. David, to Canton. The largest hail was reported in the vicinity of St David.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A few tree limbs were blown down.
September 2006Flash FloodLewistown-Flooding reported in town, resulting in numerous flooded basements.
June 2005HailLewistown-Golf ball sized hail broke windows on several vehicles.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindLewistown-A tree and several large tree limbs were blown down.
April 2001Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Windows were blown out of a house as well as power poles knocked down.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Thunderstorm winds blew siding off of a house causing minor damage.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindLewistown-Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines in Lewistown and in Sepo. No injuries were reported and no damage estimate was available.
April 1997Thunderstorm WindLewistown-As the storms moved through Fulton County, numerous large tree limbs and power lines were blown down 1 mile north of Lewistown, in Canton, and in Banner.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindLewistown-no account filed
June 2024HailLewistown-no account filed
April 2023HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2023HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2023HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2023HailLewistown-no account filed
April 2020HailLewistown-no account filed
September 2019HailLewistown-no account filed
September 2019HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2019HailLewistown-no account filed
December 2018HailLewistown-no account filed
April 2013HailLewistown-no account filed
June 2010HailLewistown-no account filed
June 2010HailLewistown-no account filed
June 2010HailLewistown-no account filed
June 2010HailLewistown-no account filed
March 2006HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2006HailLewistown-no account filed
March 2005HailLewistown-no account filed
August 2003HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2003HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2002HailLewistown-no account filed
May 2000HailLewistown-no account filed
July 1997HailLewistown-no account filed
February 1996HailLewistown-no account filed
May 1995HailLewistown-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Fulton 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
Depler Springs3.2 miles19
Sepo3.9 miles19
Waterford (historical)4.0 miles19
Duncan Mills4.1 miles19
Keeler (historical)4.8 miles19
Bryant6.0 miles19
Little America6.4 miles19
Maples Mill7.0 miles19

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 LewistownAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q576115The 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 424186. 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.

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.