RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Illinois >> McLean County >> Bentown >> Genealogy HelperIndex...










Learn About
The Commemorative
Quarter for
Illinois

The Commemorative Quarter for Illinois





Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Bentown (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Bentown. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Bentown is located in McLean County.

To see how the shape of Illinois' counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of McLean County: Champaign, De Witt, Ford, Livingston, Logan, Piatt, Tazewell & Woodford.

Below are the counties that are near Bentown. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Bentown:

  • McLean County     (The home county of Bentown)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Merna
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Merna have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merna
      • Merna is located in McLean County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Merna <2>
    • Ellsworth
      (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ellsworth have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellsworth
      • Ellsworth is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ellsworth <2>
    • Cooksville
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Downs
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Downs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downs
      • Downs is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 949 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Downs <2>
    • Gillum
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gillum
      • Gillum is located in McLean County
    • Towanda
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Towanda have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Towanda
      • Towanda is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Towanda <2>
    • Arrowsmith
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arrowsmith have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arrowsmith
      • Arrowsmith is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 275 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Arrowsmith <2>
    • Le Roy
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Le Roy have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Le Roy
      • Le Roy is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,498 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Le Roy <2>
    • Bloomington
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Normal
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Lexington
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lexington have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lexington
      • Lexington is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,020 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lexington <2>
    • Colfax
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Colfax have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colfax
      • Colfax is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,009 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Colfax <2>
    • Hudson
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hudson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hudson
      • Hudson is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,810 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Hudson <2>
  • Champaign County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Foosland
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
    • Lotus
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lotus
      • Lotus is located in Champaign County
    • Fisher
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fisher have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fisher
      • Fisher is located in Champaign County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,911 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fisher <2>
    • Dewey
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dewey have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dewey
      • Dewey is located in Champaign County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dewey <2>
    • Lake of the Woods
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake of the Woods have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake of the Woods
      • Lake of the Woods is located in Champaign County
    • Mahomet
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mahomet have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mahomet
      • Mahomet is located in Champaign County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 8,968 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mahomet <2>
  • De Witt County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Watkins
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Watkins
      • Watkins is located in De Witt County
    • Parnell
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Parnell
      • Parnell is located in De Witt County
    • Farmer City
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Farmer City have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Farmer City
      • Farmer City is located in De Witt County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,906 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Farmer City <2>
    • Fullerton
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fullerton
      • Fullerton is located in De Witt County
    • De Witt
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for De Witt
      • De Witt is located in De Witt County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 175 people
    • Wapella
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wapella have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wapella
      • Wapella is located in De Witt County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 510 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Wapella <2>
    • Birkbeck
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Birkbeck have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Birkbeck
      • Birkbeck is located in De Witt County
    • Clinton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clinton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clinton
      • Clinton is located in De Witt County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 6,733 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Clinton <2>
    • Waynesville
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southwest)
    • Lane
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Weldon
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Hallsville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hallsville
      • Hallsville is located in De Witt County
    • Midland City
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Midland City
      • Midland City is located in De Witt County
  • Ford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Proctor
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Proctor have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Proctor
      • Proctor is located in Ford County
    • Gibson City
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gibson City
      • Gibson City is located in Ford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,275 people
      • Gibson City has also been known as:
      • Gibson
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Gibson City <2>
    • Sibley
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sibley have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sibley
      • Sibley is located in Ford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 251 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Sibley <2>
    • Elliott
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
    • Melvin
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Melvin have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Melvin
      • Melvin is located in Ford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 410 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Melvin <2>
  • Livingston County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Fairbury
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Strawn
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Strawn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Strawn
      • Strawn is located in Livingston County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 92 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Strawn <2>
    • McDowell
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for McDowell
      • McDowell is located in Livingston County
    • Flanagan
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Flanagan have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Flanagan
      • Flanagan is located in Livingston County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,057 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Flanagan <2>
    • Graymont
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Graymont have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Graymont
      • Graymont is located in Livingston County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Graymont <2>
    • Forrest
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Forrest have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forrest
      • Forrest is located in Livingston County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,124 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Forrest <2>
    • Pontiac
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pontiac have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pontiac
      • Pontiac is located in Livingston County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 11,176 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Pontiac <2>
  • Logan County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Atlanta
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Atlanta have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Atlanta
      • Atlanta is located in Logan County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,582 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Atlanta <2>
    • Beason
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Beason have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Beason
      • Beason is located in Logan County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Beason <2>
    • Lawndale
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lawndale have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lawndale
      • Lawndale is located in Logan County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lawndale <2>
  • Macon County
    • Maroa
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the south)
  • Piatt County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Mansfield
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mansfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mansfield
      • Mansfield is located in Piatt County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 939 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mansfield <2>
    • De Land
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the south)
    • White Heath
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for White Heath have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for White Heath
      • White Heath is located in Piatt County
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for White Heath <2>
  • Tazewell County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Lilly
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lilly
      • Lilly is located in Tazewell County
    • Minier
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the west)
    • Tazewell
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Tazewell have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tazewell
      • Tazewell is located in Tazewell County
    • Armington
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
    • Deer Creek
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
    • Fravert ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fravert have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fravert
      • Fravert is located in Tazewell County
    • Mackinaw
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mackinaw
      • Mackinaw is located in Tazewell County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,861 people
      • Former name for Mackinaw:
      • Mackinawtown
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Mackinaw <2>
    • Mindale
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mindale
      • Mindale is located in Tazewell County
    • Walnut
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Walnut have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut
      • Walnut is located in Tazewell County
    • Burt
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Burt have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Burt
      • Burt is located in Tazewell County
    • Richmond
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Richmond have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Richmond
      • Richmond is located in Tazewell County
    • Sutter ‑ Historic
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sutter have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sutter
      • Sutter is located in Tazewell County
  • Woodford County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.
    • Kappa
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Kappa
      • Kappa is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 247 people
    • El Paso
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for El Paso have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for El Paso
      • El Paso is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,700 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for El Paso <2>
    • Congerville
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Congerville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Congerville
      • Congerville is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 494 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Congerville <2>
    • Panola
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Panola have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Panola
      • Panola is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 51 people
    • Secor
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Secor have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Secor
      • Secor is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 351 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Secor <2>
    • Goodfield
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Goodfield have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goodfield
      • Goodfield is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 986 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Goodfield <2>
    • Woodford
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodford have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodford
      • Woodford is located in Woodford County
    • Eureka
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Eureka have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eureka
      • Eureka is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,232 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Eureka <2>
    • Benson
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Benson have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Benson
      • Benson is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 401 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Benson <2>
    • Roanoke
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Roanoke have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Roanoke
      • Roanoke is located in Woodford County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,966 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Roanoke <2>

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Bentown, see our County-by-County Page for Bentown.

Newspapers Published in Bentown ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 318 newspapers that have been published in the area around Bentown.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Bentown, there are papers which were published within 30 miles [48.3 km]<3>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Bentown.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first visit the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These professional and volunteer websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Bentown:

Cemeteries Near Bentown ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Bentown.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Bentown covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.

  • Benjaminville Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Benjaminville Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Benjaminville Cemetery
  • Pleasant Grove Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pleasant Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pleasant Grove Cemetery
  • Merna Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Merna Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Merna Cemetery
  • Lebo Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Lebo Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Lebo Cemetery
  • Blue Mound Twp. Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Blue Mound Twp. Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Blue Mound Twp. Cemetery
  • Frankeberger Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Frankeberger Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Frankeberger Cemetery
  • Bishop Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bishop Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bishop Cemetery
  • Hopewell Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hopewell Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hopewell Cemetery
  • Dawson Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dawson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dawson Cemetery
  • Smith Grove Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Smith Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Smith Grove Cemetery
  • East Lawn Memorial Gardens
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
  • Barnes Cemetery
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Barnes Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Barnes Cemetery
  • Continue List   (246 more) ...
    • Arrowsmith Twp. Cemetery
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Arrowsmith Twp. Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Arrowsmith Twp. Cemetery
    • Woodlawn Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Woodlawn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Woodlawn Cemetery
    • Diamond Grove Cemetery
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Diamond Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Diamond Grove Cemetery

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<5>

While we didn't find Bentown in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Bentown.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Bentown, with the one closest to Bentown listed first.

  • Holder
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Holder have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holder
    • Holder is located in McLean County
  • Padua
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Padua have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Padua
    • Padua is located in McLean County
  • Merna
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Merna have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Merna
    • Merna is located in McLean County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Merna <2>
  • Fletcher
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fletcher have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fletcher
    • Fletcher is located in McLean County
  • Ellsworth
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ellsworth have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ellsworth
    • Ellsworth is located in McLean County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 202 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Ellsworth <2>
  • Brokaw
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Brokaw have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Brokaw
    • Brokaw is located in McLean County
  • Barnes
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnes
    • Barnes is located in McLean County
  • Gillum
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gillum
    • Gillum is located in McLean County
  • Downs
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Downs have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Downs
    • Downs is located in McLean County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 949 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Downs <2>
  • Cooksville
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
  • Towanda
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Towanda have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Towanda
    • Towanda is located in McLean County
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 461 people
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Towanda <2>
  • Hendrix
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hendrix have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hendrix
    • Hendrix is located in McLean County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Le Roy
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Le Roy have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Le Roy
      • Le Roy is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 3,498 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Le Roy <2>
    • Arrowsmith
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Arrowsmith have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Arrowsmith
      • Arrowsmith is located in McLean County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 275 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Arrowsmith <2>
    • Bloomington
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the west)

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Bentown. See our List of 1890's Communities around Bentown.

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Bentown. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for McLean County: www.mclean.gov/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.gov

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' (or point-to-point) distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Bentown) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Bentown. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 40.4720, Longitude: -88.8065       In this case, the coordinates for Bentown have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Bentown, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

Copyright 2024
All Rights Reserved

Thank you for visiting our website.

In closing, please keep in mind that we can not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the information on this website, so use with care. We encourage you to double-check the information that is critical to you.

If you've found an error or have additional information that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to write: Click here to contact us.

This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024