Chillicothe

History

Chillicothe was laid out in 1849 and was incorporated in 1881. The word "Chillicothe" is derived from the ancient Shawnee Indian words meaning "Principal Place." It was the name for one of their clans. The main chief of the Shawnee could only come from the Chillicothe clan. When a village was called Chillicothe, it meant that it was home to the principal chief. It was the capital city of the Shawnees until the death of the chief. Then, the capitol would move to the home village of the next main chief. That village would then become Chillicothe. Chillicothe is the burial place of the oldest man to serve in the Civil War, Curtis King.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Ottumwa High School
  High · Ottumwa · 1,317 students · 16.5:1 ratio
• Evans Middle School
  Middle · Ottumwa · 1,047 students · 15.2:1 ratio
• Pickwick Early Childhood Center
  Elementary · Ottumwa · 569 students · 22.8:1 ratio
• Liberty Elementary School
  Elementary · Ottumwa · 430 students · 11.9:1 ratio
• Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High
  High · Eddyville · 423 students · 14.6:1 ratio
• Wilson Elementary School
  Elementary · Ottumwa · 345 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• Douma Elementary School
  Elementary · Ottumwa · 330 students · 15:1 ratio
• Eddyville Elementary
  Elementary · Eddyville · 296 students · 13.5:1 ratio