ADT-Monitored Home Security Service in Arcola, IL

Arcola is a city in Douglas County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,927 at the 2020 census. The city was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad was built through the county. The railroad itself was held responsible for surveying, platting and founding the town.

Arcola was the birthplace in 1880 of John Barton Gruelle, or “Johnny” Gruelle, who created Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, the loveable American dolls and storybook characters. He used artistic skills scholastic from his painter father, Richard Buckner Gruelle, combined next his self-taught writing skills to Make stories expressing regional values and aesthetic images. His artistic granddaughter, Joni Gruelle Wannamaker, manages the Raggedy Ann Museum in Arcola.

A nationally known tourist attraction, Rockome Gardens, which featured large formal gardens, concrete fencing and architecture, and many Amish-influenced attractions was located just external of Arcola. Rockome Gardens was built in 1937 and was operated for approximately 80 years by members of the local Old Order Amish community. In 2015, the Rockome Gardens property was sold to a local developer and has previously been converted into Aikman Wildlife Adventure, a drive-through wildlife park which officially launched in 2016.