Life in Pittsfield
Here in Pittsfield we like to say, “Come to visit, and you just might stay.” Our quaint downtown is emblematic of Main Street USA, and according to this website, Pittsfield is the 7th most underrated city in the state of Illinois. Pittsfield is indeed “a gorgeous and historic town” — the Pike County Courthouse is absolutely stunning, and Abraham Lincoln spent quite a bit of time here practicing law and campaigning for public office. The William Watson Hotel (est. 1838) hosted many guests of historical significance, including President Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John Hay, and John Nicolay.
We have enjoyed a modest increase to our population over the past 15 years, and we like to think the reason is because some of the people who came to visit ended up staying! People who live here develop a strong sense of attachment. Our residential neighborhoods are closely interconnected with the town center, and the entire town is pedestrian-friendly. Pittsfield’s stylish downtown and surrounding neighborhoods contribute to the charm and character that many people look for today.
Well-maintained homes in beautiful historic neighborhoods create attractive residential environments that are a terrific asset to any community. Pittsfield’s residential neighborhoods — appreciated by residents and visitors alike — are one of our greatest strengths.
Other invaluable community assets include our quality education system, efficient and competitive utility services, excellent health care facilities, and reliable public protection forces. By continuing to invest in these services, we are improving the quality of life for our citizens and attracting new residents.Public Library
The Library was first established in 1855 with 40 members and 400 volumes. Today, the Pittsfield Public Library has more than 1,600 members and over 23,000 volumes. It provides a variety of services, including interlibrary loan, a homebound book service, large print books, magazines, a microfilm reader and printer, paperback exchange, reference materials, talking books, videos, audio books, genealogy material, and story hour.
Education
Pittsfield’s educational system is the pride of the community. South Elementary School provides a supportive, caring, and nurturing environment that emphasizes the joy of learning, acceptance of individual differences, and respect for the rights of others. Pittsfield High School is a public four-year institution serving the communities of Pittsfield, Baylis, Milton, Nebo, Pearl, and Rockport. Pikeland Community School provides a positive learning environment so that all students are given the opportunity to reach their full potential, enabling them to compete in a changing world. Pittsfield also has a branch of John Wood Community College with an enrollment of 200 students. Trade and technical schools and four-year colleges are located within 50 miles of the city.
Fire Department
The Pittsfield Fire Department is a 30 member volunteer department with primary responsibilities in the City of Pittsfield and secondary in the area surrounding the City. They cover approximately 160 square miles with a population of 7,100. The Fire Department is located one block north of the Pike County Court House.
Police Forces
Police protection for the residents of Pittsfield is provided by three agencies.
The Pittsfield Police Department is committed to delivering professional police services and protection throughout the city. The department has 6 full-time and 3 part-time sworn officers, with over 100 years of combined law enforcement experience. Police personnel are trained to provide a wide variety of services and to help solve problems 24 hours a day while working in partnership with the community.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Department and headquarters for District 20 of the Illinois State Police are both located in Pittsfield as well.
Hospital and Healthcare
The centerpiece for health care delivery in Pittsfield, is Illini Community Hospital (ICH), which is located in the center of town. The hospital is a 25-bed critical access facility, and is one of seven entities of the Blessing Hospital System which serves seven counties in west central Illinois. The hospital has arthroscopic and laparoscopic equipment, a radiology department with a CT scanner, radiographic and fluoroscopy equipment, and more. Clinical services and the emergency room are staffed 24 hours a day. Surgeries are performed by local surgeons and visiting specialists.
ICH is committed to excellence, offering quality, compassionate, and comprehensive medical care to the region’s residents. They place a strong emphasis on community wellness, and continue to respond to the changing health care needs of the region’s residents by keeping pace with technology and providing services that are convenient, accessible, and vital to providing excellent health care to the community.
Parks and Recreation
The Pittsfield Park Board maintains four parks — Lowry Park, King Park, Little League Park, and Pittsfield Lake. The parks are well-maintained and provide amenities for the city’s residents and visitors. Lowry Park, located on the south side of Pittsfield, features sand volleyball courts, basketball, picnic shelters, and playground equipment.
Pittsfield’s public swimming pool is located in King Park. King Park also provides lighted tennis courts, horseshoe courts as well as picnic and playground facilities. The park’s centerpiece attraction is the lighted fountain and reflecting pool.
The Little League Park is located at the eastern edge of the city. It provides sporting facilities with its two baseball fields and playgrounds.
Pittsfield Lake is more than a neighborhood park — it is an outdoor recreational area that attracts campers, hikers, and nature lovers. The 200-acre Pittsfield Lake is surrounded with 480 acres of recreational land just north of the city. The lake also provides the area with a prime recreational area, offering boating, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking, tennis courts, softball diamonds, and general outdoor activities.
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