Vermilion County, Administrative county in eastern Illinois, United States
Vermilion County is an administrative division in eastern Illinois covering approximately 901 square miles of land. It includes 21 incorporated communities, with Danville serving as the county seat.
The county was established in 1826 and named after the Vermilion River, whose waters flow through soil with a reddish tint. Early economic activity centered on salt production at the Vermilion Salines, which began around 1822 but declined by the late 1820s.
The name comes from the Vermilion River, which flows through the area and has distinctive reddish-colored banks. You can see how this river shaped the local identity by visiting the different communities spread across the county.
A car is the best way to explore the county, since communities are spread across a larger area. The Vermilion River provides several points of interest throughout the region, and Danville in the center serves as a convenient starting point.
Abraham Lincoln worked as a lawyer in Danville and appeared in court cases throughout the area, giving the county a direct connection to one of America's most significant historical figures. His presence in the region left lasting marks and connects it to broader 19th-century political movements.
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