Woodford County

Woodford County is an administrative county in central Illinois covering roughly 540 square miles of farmland, small towns, and river valleys. The county seat is located in Eureka and serves as the center of local government.

The county was established in 1841 from portions of neighboring counties and named after a Revolutionary War general. This founding period reflected the rapid westward expansion happening across Illinois at that time.

The area was a stronghold of anti-slavery sentiment in the 1800s and provided shelter to people escaping bondage. This commitment to freedom deeply shaped how residents viewed themselves and their community.

The area is relatively flat and easy to navigate by car, with roads laid out in a regular grid pattern. Visitors should expect services and attractions to be spread across several small towns rather than concentrated in one location.

Eureka College, founded in the middle of the 1800s, produced several notable figures including a former U.S. President. This small college had an outsized influence on American political history.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1841

Capital city: Eureka

Shares border with: Marshall County, LaSalle County, Livingston County, McLean County, Tazewell County, Peoria County

Website: http://woodford-county.org

GPS coordinates: 40.79000,-89.21000

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:21