Oakland, Illinois
| Oakland | |
|---|---|
| City | |
Main Street
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.svg) Location of Illinois in the United States |
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| Coordinates: 39°39′24″N 88°1′31″W / 39.65667°N 88.02528°WCoordinates: 39°39′24″N 88°1′31″W / 39.65667°N 88.02528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Coles |
| Township | East Oakland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.87 sq mi (2.25 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 880 |
| • Estimate (2016) | 876 |
| • Density | 1,060.53/sq mi (409.39/km2) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP Code(s) | 61943 |
| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-54781 |
| Oakland, Illinois | |
Oakland is a city in Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 880 at the 2010 census.
Oakland, formerly known as Independence, was platted in 1833.
Pioneer doctor and abolitionist Dr. Hiram Rutherford moved to Oakland in 1840 to start his practice in the young town. He became a prominent citizen. Rutherford is most widely known for his involvement in the 1847 Matson Trial, which involved his friend Abraham Lincoln. A Kentucky slave owner, Gen. Robert Matson, annually brought slaves to work on his land near Oakland. One year, a family of slaves ran away from the farm and took refuge with Dr. Rutherford and Gideon Ashmore. Matson sued the men for harboring slaves; Rutherford and Ashmore countered that the slaves could not legally be held in a free state. Rutherford attempted to have Lincoln represent him in the case, but Lincoln had already agreed to represent the slave owner. Matson, represented by Lincoln, lost the case in Coles County court.
Rutherford's home and office, as well as other historic sites, are maintained and available for tours.
Oakland is located at 39°39′24″N 88°01′31″W / 39.656788°N 88.025401°W.
According to the 2010 census, Oakland has a total area of 0.873 square miles (2.26 km2), of which 0.83 square miles (2.15 km2) (or 95.07%) is land and 0.043 square miles (0.11 km2) (or 4.93%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 996 people, 416 households, and 294 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,215.8 people per square mile (469.0/km²). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 533.4 per square mile (205.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.10% White, 0.20% African American, 0.10% Native American, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
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Wikipedia