Editing Wilmington, Illinois (section)

==History==
Thomas Cox purchased land near Alden's Island in 1834 and built a sawmill, corn cracker, gristmill, and a carding machine facility all of which were powered by water wheels situated on a mill right off of the Kankakee River which runs through Wilmington.<ref name="History">{{Cite web |title=Wilmington History |url=https://www.wilmingtonlibrary.org/about-us/wilmington-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112054501/https://www.wilmingtonlibrary.org/about-us/wilmington-history/ |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |website=Wilmington Public Library}}</ref>
[[Image:Gemini-Giant.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=The Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois U.S. Route 66.|The Gemini Giant at its former location in Wilmington on U.S. Route 66]]

The city is home to the historic [[Eagle Hotel (Wilmington, Illinois)|Eagle Hotel]] located on the northwest corner of state Rt 53 (Rt 66) and Water street (Rt 102). It later became famous as a stop on [[U.S. Route 66]], which followed the route of modern-day [[Illinois Route 53]]. A notable attraction for travelers along this route is the [[Gemini Giant]], a [[Muffler Men|muffler man]]-type statue. Countless photos of travelers, both domestic and foreign, standing at the base of the Gemini Giant are taken each year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Searl |first=Ryan |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Legendary Route 66 Sights: The Gemini Giant |url=https://www.thefirsthundredmiles.com/2021/03/11/legendary-route-66-sights-the-gemini-giant/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518083743/https://www.thefirsthundredmiles.com/2021/03/11/legendary-route-66-sights-the-gemini-giant/ |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |website=The First Hundred Miles |language=English}}</ref>

Wilmington is also home to Cinder Ridge Golf Course, located off of [[Interstate 55|I-55]]. Wilmington was the scene of the brutal murder of [[Murder of Riley Fox|Riley Fox]].

A mural depicting historic Downtown Wilmington was installed facing the Eagle Hotel in October 2023, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Route 66 coming up in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Have you seen the new mural? |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615149492100206/posts/3600823696866099/?__cft__[0]=AZUTTeJV6lLnMVRVO2iVz7QVEXaBDBuGiyUdQk9ufqoBzPiQZxsQl3XTlXNFTTZp_f8AE4-rl3ampuiQED2lARGlLhDiYLzEIKQEhDUqhjRTutsvb0l3ejUHahGm3kBFknS2F2J4llFZ3ijcAjrZHyOM&__tn__=%2CO*F |website=the DAILY 411}}</ref>

In March 2024, the Gemini Giant was moved from The Launching Pad Restaurant to South Island Park.