Seven Hickory Township |
Seven Hickory Township is located in Coles County in eastern Illinois. Seven Hickory Township is one of seven townships located in northern Coles County, Illinois covering 52 square miles. The original settlers established the township “Hickory” in 1850. Then on May 7, 1860, the township was renamed “Seven Hickory”. The township is well served by Route 130 and numerous well-maintained township roads. According to the 2010 census, population was 286 with 125 homes and the majority of land used for agriculture purposes. Seven Hickory has established itself as an agricultural township where the "Grand Prairie" is used to cultivate crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. At one time, Seven Hickory Township was a part of raising 75 percent of all broomcorn produced in the country. Broomcorn factories were established in Humboldt, Mattoon, and Charleston to process the plant. By 1936, competition from the West had resulted in a decrease in broomcorn activity. Remnants of the crop, including the distinctive broomcorn cribs, are still found in the township. The Township is served by one volunteer fire department, the Seven Hickory Morgan Fire Protection District. The fire department is located between Seven Hickory and Morgan Townships. Seven Hickory is part of the Charleston Regional School District. Schools in the district are Mark Twain Elementary School (pre-school – kindergarten), Carl Sandburg Elementary School (Grades 1 - 3), Jefferson Elementary School (Grades 4 - 6), Charleston Middle School (Grades 7 - 8) and Charleston High School (Grades 9 - 12). Seven Hickory has a township form of government with the following elected officials: Township Supervisor, Township Clerk, Road Commissioner, and four trustees. Seven Hickory Township government is small, accessible, responsive, and cost effective while providing a range of services. |