Jasper county was established in 1831 out of parts of
Clay County and
Crawford County in southeastern Illinois just east of
Effingham. It is named in honor of Sgt. William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero who replaced an American flag that had been shot away by the British at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.
The county seat is located in Newton, named for Sgt. Newton, also stationed at Fort Moultrie. Newton is blessed with beautiful recreation areas such as Newton Lake SFWA and Sam Parr State Park.
One of the great icons of American folk music, Burl Ives, was born and is buried in Jasper county.
The county population on July 1, 1999, was 10,571, a decrease of 38 over the 1990 census.
For information on county government, contact the National Association of Counties Web site.
Additional information is available at these pages:
