Barry, Illinois is located in Pike County in the western part of the state. See justinshoes to learn about Bond County, Illinois. It is situated along the banks of the Mississippi River and just north of its confluence with the Illinois River. Barry has a population of around 1,500 and covers an area of approximately 3.5 square miles.
The town is surrounded by rolling hills, fertile farmlands, and lush forests which provide a picturesque backdrop for life in Barry. The Mississippi River serves as a major waterway for transportation and recreation opportunities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The surrounding area also provides plenty of recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, camping, and bird-watching.
Barry is home to several parks including Lions Park which offers playground equipment for children and adults alike; Prentiss Creek Park which features a scenic walking trail; and Riverside Park which offers beautiful views of the river from its bluffs overlooking it.
The town’s economy is centered around agriculture with local farmers growing corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa hay, oats, and other crops that are sold throughout the region. There are also several small businesses in Barry that offer services such as auto repair shops; convenience stores; restaurants; barbershops; tanning salons; retail stores; banks; insurance companies; gas stations; hotels; motels; bed & breakfasts; churches; libraries; schools; post offices; and more.
Overall, Barry offers its citizens a peaceful setting with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy while still providing access to all modern amenities needed for a comfortable lifestyle.
History of Barry, Illinois
Barry, Illinois is a small town located in Pike County in the western part of the state. It was first settled in 1820 by Jacob and Mary Prentiss and was originally known as Prentissville. As more settlers moved into the area, the town grew and eventually changed its name to Barry in 1836 after William T. Barry, who served as Postmaster General under President Andrew Jackson.
During the 19th century, Barry experienced a period of growth as it became an important trading center for local farmers and merchants. The town had several stores, two grain elevators, three churches, a flour mill, a hotel, a blacksmith shop, and other businesses which helped to make it an economic hub for the region.
In 1870 Barry incorporated as a village and continued to grow with the addition of several factories such as a creamery, brickyard, planing mill, barrel factory, and others which provided jobs for residents. In 1887 it became a city with its own mayor and councilmen who were responsible for governing the city.
Throughout its history Barry has been known for its strong sense of community and pride in its agricultural roots. The town has also been home to many notable individuals such as former Governor Richard Oglesby; scientists Robert Erskine Ely and Edward Everett Hale; baseball player Art Nehf; artist Charles Burchfield; writer John Updike; astronaut Steve Hawley; actor Gary Burghoff; musician Charlie Daniels; author Zane Grey; illustrator Jules Guerin; aviator Bessie Coleman; director John Hughes; actor/comedian Chris Farley; inventor Charles Feltman; artist/sculptor Lorado Taft; photographer Alfred Stieglitz; and many more.
Today, Barry continues to be an agricultural community with many of its citizens still employed in farming or related industries such as food processing or distribution. Despite this focus on agriculture though there are still plenty of modern amenities available including restaurants, shops, banks, and other services that help make life comfortable here.
Economy of Barry, Illinois
Barry, Illinois is a small rural community located in the western part of the state. It has a rich history as a trading center for local farmers and merchants, having incorporated as a village in 1870 and later becoming a city in 1887. Today, Barry remains an agricultural community with many citizens still employed in farming or related industries such as food processing or distribution.
The economy of Barry is largely based on its agricultural roots. The town’s proximity to major transportation arteries like Interstate 55 allows for easy access to markets for the area’s farmers. From corn and soybeans to livestock, Barry produces a wide variety of crops which are sold locally and throughout the country. Additionally, there are several food processing companies that operate in Barry which provide jobs for many residents. These companies are responsible for producing products like canned vegetables and meats, dried fruits, jams and jellies, spices, sauces and dressings, and other goods which are sold throughout the region.
In addition to agriculture-related businesses, Barry also has several other businesses that help support its economy such as restaurants, shops, banks, gas stations and convenience stores. These businesses provide employment opportunities for residents who may not be involved in farming or related industries while also serving as important sources of revenue for the town’s government through taxes collected from their operations.
Barry is also home to several institutions of higher education including MacMurray College which offers undergraduate programs in various fields including business administration, nursing science and education; Blackburn College which offers degree programs in areas such as political science; Illinois College of Technology which provides technical training; and Robert Morris University – Illinois which provides bachelor’s degrees in accounting/finance/business management among other fields. These colleges not only provide students with valuable learning experiences but they also bring additional revenue into the town through tuition payments from out-of-state students who attend these schools each year.
Overall, Barry has been able to maintain a strong sense of community pride due to its deep agricultural roots while also providing numerous opportunities for economic growth through agriculture-related businesses along with other service-oriented establishments like restaurants and shops. This combination helps ensure that Barry will continue to be an important part of Illinois’ economy well into the future.
Politics in Barry, Illinois
Barry, Illinois is a small town with a population of about 2,700 people. It is located in Pike County and has a strong agricultural heritage that dates back to the early 1800s. The town’s economy is largely dependent on its agricultural sector and related businesses.
Politically, Barry is a conservative-leaning town with most of its residents favoring Republican candidates and policies. This trend has been consistent throughout the years as Barry has voted overwhelmingly for Republican candidates in every presidential election since 1980.
The town is represented in the Illinois House of Representatives by Republican C.D. Davidsmeyer and in the Illinois Senate by Republican Jil Tracy. On the local level, Barry is served by three county commissioners who are all Republicans and a mayor who is also a Republican.
Barry has several active civic organizations that help shape its political landscape. The Barry Lions Club, for example, works to promote the town’s economy through various community projects such as helping to organize annual festivals and fundraisers. The Barry Business Association works to improve the town’s overall economic climate and attract new businesses to the area while also providing support for existing businesses.
In recent years, many of Barry’s residents have become increasingly concerned about issues such as environmental protection and public education funding which have led to more progressive stances on these topics within the town’s politics. In addition, there have been efforts to increase voter registration in order to ensure that all voices are heard during elections.
Overall, Barry is a conservative-leaning town but one that still values progressive ideals and works hard to ensure that its citizens are politically engaged and informed about issues of importance both locally and nationally.