Knox County, County administrative division in Illinois, United States.
Knox County spreads across western Illinois and contains fifteen incorporated municipalities alongside numerous smaller, unincorporated communities. The county has varied neighborhoods and districts that together form the administrative region.
The Illinois State Legislature established the county in 1825 and named it after Henry Knox, the nation's first Secretary of War. This creation reflected the broader westward expansion and administrative organization of the region.
Knox College in Galesburg shapes the region's intellectual life and has drawn students to the area for generations. The institution's presence influences how the community develops and what opportunities people find locally.
Galesburg, the county seat, is positioned along Interstate 74 and served by rail connections that link the area to larger centers. Visitors can use this city as a base to explore the broader region and access various communities throughout the county.
The fifth Lincoln-Douglas debate took place here in 1858, marking a turning point in the nation's political conversation before the Civil War. The Old Main building on the college campus still stands as a reminder of this significant political moment.
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