Kirkwood

Kirkwood today is a forward-looking community. Two churches, United Methodist and United Presbyterian offer spiritual strengths. Our tree-lined boulevards blend remarkable Italianate mansions of brick and native limestone, remarkable Victorian homes, and nicely crafted contemporary homes, all with luxuriously roomy yards, and many with outstanding landscaping.The Village is fortunate in having a local branch of the Warren County Library, as well as an active service-oriented community and several local businesses and professions. Kirkwood is a GREAT place to live!

Recreation

History

Offices

General Information

  • Founded: 1854
  • Type: Village

Parks and Areas of Interest

For those who love to photograph trains, Kirkwood and the surrounding area provide unsurpassed opportunities to photograph Burlington Northern and Santa Fe trains, many with HUGE engines with spanking new paint and over a mile long, not to mention Amtrak’s California Zepher.
All summer long at Gunter Field, have a hot dog and watch some fine softball.

Details: People come from all over the country to purchase Bill Gullberg’s handmade windsor chairs and 18 th Century furniture, generally available by commission only, or to take a week-long class in traditional chairmaking.

Offerings:

Getting there: 445 W Walnut, PO Box 340, Kirkwood, IL 61447

For more information:
Please contact: Bill Gullberg
Phone: (309)283-1831
Email: [email protected]
Additional info can be found on the Web: www.chairwright.com

People come from all over the country to purchase Bill Gullberg’s handmade windsor chairs and 18 th Century furniture, generally available by commission only, or to take a week-long class in traditional chairmaking.
Bruce Stuart is a World Class Waterfowl Carver. He has won the World Championship in Ocean City Md., the Nationals, and many other, too numerous to list, competitions. His awesome work is sought by collectors all across the country. He works by commission only, but may sell something he has carved for himself from time to time. Bruce lives and works in his studio near Kirkwood. His telephone number is (309) 768-2607.
Thelma and Gene Crandall, proprietors of Thelma Louise’s Things, craft primitive interior and exterior design furniture, decorative pieces, and floral arrangements. Thelma Louise’s Things are available for purchse year-round at Touch of Country, Monmouth, Illinois, and annually at the QCA Christmas Show on Thanksgiving Week-End at the Expo Center in Rock Island, Illinois. The Crandall’s telephone number is (309) 768-2484.
Nelly Dennison, Jan Speer (watercolors), and Cherry Simmons (who drew the logo for this website) create fine artwork. The Buchanan Center in Monmouth sometimes includes arts of local artists for sale. http://home.grics.net/bca/
Writer and publisher Jan Speer is the author and illustrator of 7 children’s books called The Clothes Pin Kids. Jan and son Dan Speer publish the books. They are available for purchase at their website, http://www.bloomington.in.us/~dspeer/ClothespinKids/ T he books are also available for reading at the Kirkwood Library. Jan can be reached at telephone number (309) 768 2205.
Frank Thompson is a public speaker on a quest to “Change the World” with kindness. His theory, which he is trying to support with the sale of caps and T-shirts, is that everybody needs to talk more to each other and show caring and a willingness to listen. He believes this will reduce crime and improve people’s lives. He is available to speak anywhere within reason. He can be reached at (309) 768-2458. Frank has also published four books; Poetry in Motion I and II, and The American Farmer Book I and II., both books are currently out of print.
Youngs lake is a small privately owned lake near Kirkwood. Offerings: Youngs Lake (membership required) provides outdoor recreation, swimming, boating, angling, and camping to its members.

History

Kirkwood was first platted on September 19, 1854 under the name of Young America, and was incorporated under that name in 1865. It was in 1866 that the first school, the “Old South School” was erected, with W. W. Pease appointed as the first teacher. With the construction of the railroad through the village in 1855, the town had started to develop. The first building in Young America was a hotel and restaurant built by the railroad for its construction crews. A post office was established on January 1, 1856. On May 22, 1874 the citizens voted to change the name to Kirkwood, honoring Governor Kirkwood, Civil-War Governor of Iowa, who was greatly admired by area residents.

Community Offices

Kirkwood Village Hall
  • (309)768-2030
  • 120 W Cedar St. PO Box 399, Kirkwood, IL 61447
  • Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Directory

Earl Stockdale
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2025
  Village of Kirkwood, 310 E. Locust St.

Jennifer Cook
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2023
  Village of Kirkwood, 335 N Kirk

Dana Brant
  Kirkwood Village Treasurer
  Village of Kirkwood, P.O.Box 63

William K. Gullberg
  Kirkwood Village President term expires 2025
  Village of Kirkwood, P.O.Box 340

Mary Baldridge
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2025
  Village of Kirkwood, 100 Knoll Drive

Lyndsay Thornton
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2025
  Village of Kirkwood, P.O.Box 304

Leonard Stockdale
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2023
  Village of Kirkwood, 355 W. Apple St.

Michael Brant
  Kirkwood Village Trustee term expires 2023
  Village of Kirkwood, P.O.Box 63

Debra Bushong
  Kirkwood Village Clerk term expires 2025
  Village Clerk, P.O.Box 342

Location

The Kirkwood Village Hall is located behind the Kirkwood Branch of the Warren County Public Library.

Kirkwood Park District
  • P.O. Box 399, 120 W. Cedar Str., Kirkwood, IL
Directory

Tiffany Hart Anderson (appointed)
  Kirkwood Park District 
  Board Member, 400 E. Walnut, Kirkwood IL 61447

Laura Hart (appointed)
  Kirkwood Park District 
  Board Member, 335 E. Locust, Kirkwood IL 61447

Emma Giese (appointed)
  Kirkwood Park District 
  Board Member, 335 W. Plum, Kirkwood IL 61447

Information

The Kirkwood park has playground equipment, a basketball court, and a picnic shelter. The shelter can be reserved by contacting Phillis Smith at 309-768-2400. 

The Kirkwood gym has a stage, a kitchen and folding tables and chairs, which makes it the ideal location for community parties and events. Yearly celebrations for Halloween, Christmas, and Easter are held in the gym. In addition, during the winter the gym is open afterschool for area children and teens to use. 

The gym is available for local groups to use for meetings or events. To reserve the gym please contact Phillis Smith at 309-768-2400.

Services

The kirkwood park district maintains the city park and manages the use of an old gymnasium that the city now uses as a community center.

Warren County is a rural community, rich in tradition and history. A wonderful place to live and to raise a family.

Questions? Need Assistance?
Call us at (309) 734-8592 during working hours

Quick Links

Government

Offices & Departments

Contact Us

Warren County Courthouse
100 West Broadway
Monmouth, IL 61462

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity

The Warren County board and it’s subsidiary offices are committed to the principles of equal opportunity and strictly prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its activities, admissions, educational programs, and employment.