Menard County, County administrative division in central Illinois, United States.
Menard County is an administrative division in central Illinois with Petersburg as its county seat, located across rolling terrain and farmland. The area is characterized by agricultural activity and rural communities connected by state highways.
The county was established in 1839 and named after Pierre Menard, the first lieutenant governor of Illinois, when it separated from Sangamon County. Its creation during westward expansion shaped how the region developed and organized.
The Menard County Historical Society preserves local stories through exhibits and programs that show how farming and community life shaped the region over time. Visitors can learn about traditions that continue to define the character of the place today.
Illinois Routes 29, 97, and 123 connect the area to major regional destinations and provide straightforward access to key towns. Travelers will find good road connections for exploring different parts of the county.
The county operates without the township system common to Illinois, a feature shared by only about 15 other counties in the state. This distinction gives its local government structure an uncommon organizational approach.
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