Pana was first known as Stone Coal Precinct when it was founded on June 6, 1845. The name was later changed to Pana Township on September 2, 1856. In 1857, the village of Pana was incorporated. The name "Pana" is derived from the American Indian tribe, the Pawnee. It developed at the intersection of east-west and north-south railroads, and had supplies of fuel and water for the steam engines of the railroad. This became a center of coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In April 1899 what is known as the Pana riot broke out after a violent confrontation between black and white miners. Initially a white man was killed, and white union miners attacked black replacement workers who had been recruited from Alabama. Six additional people were killed: one white and five blacks; in addition, six more black miners were wounded. While the immediate violence was quelled, blacks felt tremendous hostility. Rather than return to Alabama and the Jim Crow South, from where they had been recruited, 211 of the nearly 300 African Americans remaining in town moved west to Weir, Kansas, to work at another mine. It came to be known as the City of Roses, a nickname coined by local newsmen, the Jordan Brothers. Many major florists and growers set up shop here. At one time, there were 109 greenhouses in Pana. Kitchell Park, one of the few parks listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places, is located in Pana and was added to the Register in 1992. The Louis Jehle House, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, is also located in Pana.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Pana has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,614 people, 2,317 households, and 1,443 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,101.7 people per square mile. There were 2,532 housing units at an average density of 947.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.09% White, 0.07% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.50% of the population. There were 2,317 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 19.6% of those individuals were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97. In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $29,611, and the median income for a family was $35,406. Males had a median income of $30,519 versus $18,675 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,897. About 11.5% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Pana Heritage Days
The Pana Heritage Days are an annual festival that takes place during the last weekend in May. Streets are blocked off and are filled with multiple vendors and fair rides. Live band music is generally provided.
Labor Day Parade
The annual Pana Labor Day Parade is attended by up to 15,000 people, the largest such event in all of Illinois. The 2011 parade featured 343 firemen marching to lead the parade in an honor to the firemen, paramedics, and policemen who died on the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Tri-County Fair
The Tri-County Fair is held annually and lasts for six days. The fair begins on the Wednesday before Labor Day and ends on Labor Day. It features many carnival rides, vendors, and games. Average attendance per day is 7,000.
