Cobden (http://www.cobdenil.com) is a village in Union County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,116 at the 2000 census. It is named after British politician and free-trade advocate Richard Cobden, who visited the town in 1859. Cobden originated as a farming community (South Pass) known for it's apples and peaches. The Illinois Central Railroad still runs through the center of downtown, but once was Cobden's focal point. Cobden's innovative and industrious growers developed packing crates and techniques that kept fruit fresh and unmolested on it's freightways to eastern and northern markets. A packaging industry thrived here for decades, and local orchards still thrive. Cobden is host to an annual fall Peach Festival to this day. Today's Cobden is diverse with growers, vinyards, artists, musicians, and shopkeepers leading the old town into a rebirth. A significant number of formerly Mexican citizens, who came here to work the orchards, have become an intergral part of the social fabric of the community. Located right on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.