Library History | About Cerro Gordo, Illinois

About Cerro Gordo

The Village of Cerro Gordo has a population of approximately 1500. It is located 12 miles east of Decatur on State Route #105 and 35 miles southwest of Champaign-Urbana.

The name Cerro Gordo means "Fat Hill" in Spanish. The name was given to the town in 1855 in honor of the early citizens who fought and were wounded in the heroic battle at the mountain pass of Cerro Gordo, Mexico, in the Mexico War 1845-1848.

The Cerro Gordo volunteer fire department and community ambulance service provide the village and surrounding areas with fire protection and emergency service. Services provided by the village include city water and city sewer. Illinois Power provides natural gas and electricity and Onyx provides trash services. Cerro Gordo offers many services including:

Attorney
Automobile service station
Bank
Beauty salons
Building and Loan
Churches
Contractors
Dentist
Doctors Office
Florist
Funeral Home
Grocery store
Insurance company
Library
Plumbing and heating companies
Restaurant
Schools
Upholstery
Video store

Cerro Gordo has special youth and grade school groups. A Youth League offers baseball, softball, and football to boys and girls ages 5 through 18. Summer programs for children are available in one of the 3 parks. The library also holds a Summer Reading Program every year.

Cerro Gordo maintains its own school system with a closed campus policy for grades K through 12. Average class size is 17 students. The high school graduation rate is over 90% with an average 70% going on to college. Pre-School is available through the public school and at the Methodist Church.

State Bank of Cerro Gordo	Ambulance Service
Brethren Church	Church of the Brethren
Cerro Gordo Foods	High School
Assembly of God	Elementary School
Hope Welty Public Library	Playgrounds
Methodist Church	Village Hall

More information about Cerro Gordo can be found on the official village website - www.fathill.com.