Cornfields and local businesses define life in Hoopeston
Vast farmlands stretch out in every direction around Hoopeston, creating the very picture of small-town living in rural Illinois. The city was built on corn, from growing to canning, and agriculture and manufacturing remain at the core of the local economy. The nearest major cities are at least 20 miles away, so residents rely on a small but mighty collection of locally owned businesses and community spaces in town. Parks offer plenty of recreation, and neighborhoods line tranquil roads. Annual events, like the Sweetcorn Festival, help neighbors connect and celebrate the city’s roots.
Lush neighborhoods have 20th-century homes at low prices
Streetlights and power lines line most residential roads. Some streets retain their original brickwork. Whether compact or spacious, Yards are grassy and shaded by mature trees. Neighborhoods primarily have 20th-century single-family homes, particularly from the 1920s to the 1970s. Common architectural styles include bungalows, ranch-style houses and American Foursquares. Some homes have Victorian and colonial designs. Prices range between $15,000 and $215,000 depending on a home’s age and condition. Most properties sell on the lower end, as the city’s median price is $90,000.
Renewable energy joins farming and manufacturing as a major industry
Hoopeston may be rural, but it is not without employment opportunities. Agriculture has remained a major industry since the city’s corn canning days. Teasdale Latin Foods, Silgan Containers and ADM are the city’s major manufacturers. In 2015, Apex Clean Energy built The Hoopeston Wind Farm. While it is far outside city limits, it is still considered a valuable part of the economy.
Cornjerkers school mascot reflects the city’s agricultural roots
Students attend Maple and John Greer Grade Schools from prekindergarten through fifth grade. The schools have B-minus and C-plus Niche scores. Hoopeston Area Middle has a C-minus, while Hoopeston Area High earns a C-plus. The schools are well known for their mascot, the Cornjerkers. The name refers to the farmers who picked and shucked corn by hand before automated processes became the norm.
The city also has a Danville Area Community College campus. The college offers various majors, from agricultural studies to manufacturing.
McFerren Park is a key community space for recreation
McFerren Park is popular for its versatility. It has many athletic facilities, like tennis courts, baseball fields and a skate park. The swimming pool and splash pad open during summer, while the mini golf course is open year-round. The park is also a popular meeting place for local organizations. It has a Girl Scout house, a civic center and shelters for the local American Legion and Lions Club. The city has three other parks offering playgrounds and green spaces.
First Street states that Hoopeston is at major risk of flooding. The city’s Emergency Management Agency provides residents with resources during extreme weather, such as flash flooding and heavy storms.
Hoopeston has local businesses, chain restaurants and a downtown
The city’s downtown surrounds Market and Main streets. 112 Wine and Coffee Shoppe serves wine by the glass, lattes and breakfast sandwiches. Boxcar Books and Vinyl stuffs its shelves with new and old releases, and the historic Lorraine Theatre screens a single movie per day every Thursday through Sunday. The rest of the city has fast-food restaurants, other local businesses and retailers like Dollar General and CVS. Kirby Foods Hoopeston and Longfellows Gardens offer groceries.
Rail and road access support long-distance travel and local industry
Most people drive cars, but golf carts are permitted inside the city. “We are a golf cart community for sure,” says Trish Stebbins, the city’s administrative supervisor. State routes 1 and 9 connect to Danville about 25 miles and Champaign roughly 50 miles. The city is also less than 120 miles — or about 2 hours — from Chicago and Indianapolis . The closest airport is the University of Illinois Willard Airport, which is 60 miles away. Hoopeston relies on the Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center for primary and emergency care.
A railroad still operates in the community. Stebbins says traffic delays are generally infrequent. “They may block an intersection if they’re loading grain at the ADM, but that’s more in the fall around harvest time,” she says.
The Sweetcorn Festival and downtown events include music and markets
Residents celebrate Hoopeston’s agricultural roots during the annual Sweetcorn Festival. On Labor Day weekend, crowds enjoy a demolition derby, the Miss National Sweetheart pageant and live music. “A lot of people love the free buttered sweet corn we give out,” Stebbins says. Downtown Hoopeston hosts Spring and Autumn fests, which feature free concerts. Smaller downtown events include summer farmers markets and a holiday shop hop.
