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Cropsey, Illinois 61731
County- McLean Population- 240 Lat.- 40.594991 Long.- 88.51679
The village of Cropsey was platted in the late 1800's along the newly constructed Illinois Central Railroad as it intersected the counties of Ford, Livingston, and McLean. Many of its early residents moved to Cropsey from the mail and stagecoach stop at Potosi which was located about 1 1/2 miles northwest of Cropsey. The early businesses all had their origin in agriculture as the first places of commerce were the blacksmith, grain elevator, lumber yard, general store, bank, and train depot.
The blacksmith tended to the needs of the farmer by helping make the necessary tools and equipment. The blacksmith also cared for the farm horses that needed regular attention. The grain elevator allowed the farmers to sell their grain and produce or to exchange them for needed items. The transportation advantage of the railroad made farming more profitable. The lumber yard provided the building materials for homes, farmsteads, businesses and churches. Again, the railroad made delivery of these materials much easier and faster. The general store usually carried whatever a family needed. Sometimes it did not have exactly what was required but always had something that would make do. The general store accepted cash, credit, or exchange and the proprietor of the general store was one of the most respected and valued members of the community. The small village bank provided the necessary funds for struggling farmers to get a start in the spring planting and a protection for their hard earned dollars after the fall harvest. The bank oftentimes helped people through difficult times when work and crops did not always provide for all the family's needs. The train depot offered a link to the outside world. Through its open doors came the goods, materials, and people to make the village prosper. News was received and exchanged at the train depot by the community members who gathered there for interaction with the train engineers, conductors and train passengers.
The village of Cropsey today, according to the latest census, has a population of 240 people. Its main street has several businesses, a church, a fire station, a bank, and a post office. It is known for its hearty people and its prime farmland. Looming at the end of main street is the huge grain elevator, just as it has in the community for over 100 years.