Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Its Register listing is the Alexis Opera House. Below: maps from 1907 on and the census since 1880.
Alexis dates its founding to 1870 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1880.
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Alexis’s history is told.
Peaked at 1,076 in 1980; 793 people lived here in 2020.
15 censuses, 1880–2020.
U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Alexis’ Wikipedia page.
From Wikipedia’s history of Alexis.
Alexis was originally called Alexandria or Alexandria Station, and under the latter names was laid out in 1870 when the railroad was extended to that point. After learning of another Illinois town named Alexander, the founders wanted a new name. Around this time, Grand Duke Alexis was visiting the country, after whom the town was renamed.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Passages that mention Alexis, cut from the printed page as they were published.
ing a name similar to this in the State, considerable confusion followed in the mail service and in the shipping of goods. Consequently it was changed to Alexis. This name was suggested by the arrival in this country, about this time, of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Ellison lands sold March 31, 1836, and here terminates the official records of Alexis Phelps, the first school commissioner of this county. Tie was succeeded by Wyat S. Berry, who sold the school lands of Swan Township for $4,070.90, Jan. 15, 1838.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
The United Brethren Church have an organization in the village. This society was formed in the township in 1856. After Alexis was started, the society located there, where they put up the first church building. It was dedicated in November, 1872. The building is a good, substantial, frame structure, costing $2,250. Rev. H. Kline is the present pastor, holding services here every two weeks. Present
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
Born hereRobert B. Blair is born hereEvery edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Alexis. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Alexis.
Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.
1907Sheet 1 of 2Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving.
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.
Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.
In 1870, according to Wikidata. Alexis’ post office opened in 1872, and the census of 1880 counted 398 people here.
One place: the Alexis Opera House (listed 1987).
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikimedia Commons (4), Wikidata (1), the National Register of Historic Places (1), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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