Middletown

History

Middletown, founded in 1832, is the oldest town in Logan County. However, it was not incorporated until 1900. At one time, Middletown was considered as a location for the capital of Illinois. Middletown was a frequent overnight stop for legislators traveling between Springfield and Peoria in the mid-to-late 19th century. The Stage Coach Inn, located off the town square, is the oldest such wooden structure in Illinois. It is believed that Abraham Lincoln stayed at the Inn. Unfortunately, official records were destroyed in a fire many years ago. The town does have at least one official and verified link to Abe Lincoln as he surveyed the site which would become the town during his early days surveying in Logan County. Middletown is also home to the Knapp library and museum. The Knapp building is the oldest brick building in Logan county. Several hot air balloon records were set in Middletown and the historic Vin Fiz, the first cross country flight, counts Middletown as one of the stops on that journey. Middletown celebrated its Terquasquicentennial (175th birthday) during June 2007.

Geography

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

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  1,159
• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,042
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  932
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  911
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  897
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  795
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  773
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  707

Most recent

• M 3.8 — 2026-01-20
  4 km NW of Ohlman, Illinois