Coltonville, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Coltonville was a community in DeKalb County
, Illinois
, United States
and, as such, placement of a county seat
. Rufus Colton, Clerk of the Court in the county, was leading a push for Coltonville, where he lived. Through political wrangling, and underhanded techniques, Colton nearly led Coltonville into a new era as county seat. He had arranged for court to convene at his home, this, only after he had set up an election, as clerk, for county seat. The election was unique in that only the residents of Colton's choice for county seat, Coltonville, were informed of it. When the DeKalb County Court convened, in Colton's Coltonville home, the sheriff served a court order
which stated a courthouse was to be built in Sycamore
, the city which would become the county seat. Even without the court order, Colton's actions would have never been deemed legal; they were cancelled by an act of the Illinois General Assembly
eventually. Along with Brush Point
, the other community considered for county seat, both communities disappeared after losing out to Sycamore.
Today, the town name lives on as Coltonville Road in southwestern Sycamore. The townsite lies in DeKalb Township
, near the cities of DeKalb
and Sycamore. The old Coltonville School was located at 41°58′17"N 88°44′10"W.
DeKalb County, Illinois
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat is Sycamore. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.-History:DeKalb County...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
History
In June 1839, DeKalb County was considering building a courthouseCourthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
and, as such, placement of a county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. Rufus Colton, Clerk of the Court in the county, was leading a push for Coltonville, where he lived. Through political wrangling, and underhanded techniques, Colton nearly led Coltonville into a new era as county seat. He had arranged for court to convene at his home, this, only after he had set up an election, as clerk, for county seat. The election was unique in that only the residents of Colton's choice for county seat, Coltonville, were informed of it. When the DeKalb County Court convened, in Colton's Coltonville home, the sheriff served a court order
Court order
A court order is an official proclamation by a judge that defines the legal relationships between the parties to a hearing, a trial, an appeal or other court proceedings. Such ruling requires or authorizes the carrying out of certain steps by one or more parties to a case...
which stated a courthouse was to be built in Sycamore
Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. It has a commercial district based and centered on Illinois Route 64. The population was 17,519 at the 2010 census, up from 12,020 at the 2000 census.-Early settlement:...
, the city which would become the county seat. Even without the court order, Colton's actions would have never been deemed legal; they were cancelled by an act of the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
eventually. Along with Brush Point
Brush Point, Illinois
Brush Point was a community that existed in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States, which is now extinct. In June 1839 it was under consideration as one of three towns, for county seat. It gained the support of Brush Point doctor Henry Madden. Ultimately, Brush Point lost out to Sycamore and...
, the other community considered for county seat, both communities disappeared after losing out to Sycamore.
Today, the town name lives on as Coltonville Road in southwestern Sycamore. The townsite lies in DeKalb Township
DeKalb Township, DeKalb County, Illinois
DeKalb Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 42,189. DeKalb Township was originally named Orange Township, but was renamed on November 20, 1850.-Geography:...
, near the cities of DeKalb
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 43,862 at the 2010 census, up from 39,018 at the 2000 census. The city is named after decorated German war hero Johann De Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War....
and Sycamore. The old Coltonville School was located at 41°58′17"N 88°44′10"W.