Barnes, IllinoisBarnes is an unincorporated community in McLean County, Illinois.HistoryCalvin Barnes founded the community in the 1880s, originally naming it "Barnesville." Barnes' home was the first structure built, followed by a grain elevator. Barnes had a post office open in 1884 that lasted until 1919. Walter and Alta Weber opened a general store in 1921. The small community was laid out along the Illinois Central, northeast of Bloomington-Normal. Hopeful planning resulted in four streets and over 20 commercial lots. However, the population never even grew to double digits. Only a few of the elevator structures remain.