Flora

History

Flora was founded by Samuel White. White was born September 10, 1831, in Warren County, Ohio. He and his family came to Clay County in 1852. During that time, he purchased of land from the State of Illinois. His first wife, Sarah Ann Wall was born in 1833. Sarah died December 13, 1859, in Flora, and is buried in the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery. In December 1860, White married Helen M. Riggs in Flora. The original town of Flora was laid out, surveyed and platted in February 1854 by Ethelred Nixon, County Surveyor; John Brown, Trustee for Songer, Camp & Company; and Samuel White. It embraced eighty-five acres of the west half of Section 25, Township 3 north Range 6 east. Samuel White who still owned the land, deeded one-half interest in forty acres to John Brown, Trustee, with a view of securing the town and depot. An effort had already been made to establish a town one mile west called Mooresville, where over 100 lots had been sold and some buildings done. After the collapse of that village, the principal house was moved to Flora, and was then known as the "Commercial House." Samuel White also donated land to the City of Flora for several buildings and the city park. The City Park, at that time called the Public Square, is present day Library Park where Flora Public Library is located. White donated land for the 1st schoolhouse, the Baptist Church and parsonage. Land was also donated for streets and alleys of the original town of Flora. The city's founder died November 15, 1912, in Sterling, Colorado, and was returned to Flora for burial in the family plot at Elmwood. From "Flora, Illinois - Founded 1854" compiled by Flora Resident, Jeanie Briscoe. The book also contains historic information about the B & O railroad, the history of various buildings, and…

Geography

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Flora has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Flora Elementary School
  Elementary · Flora · 681 students · 14.8:1 ratio
• North Clay Elem/Jr High Sch
  Elementary · Louisville · 392 students · 11.5:1 ratio
• Flora High School
  High · Flora · 375 students · 12.5:1 ratio
• Floyd Henson Jr High Sch
  Middle · Flora · 289 students · 13.1:1 ratio
• North Clay Community High School
  High · Louisville · 178 students · 12.7:1 ratio
• Clay City Elem School
  Elementary · Clay City · 130 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• Clay City High School
  High · Clay City · 78 students · 9.8:1 ratio
• Clay City Jr High School
  Middle · Clay City · 61 students · 12.2:1 ratio