About Dunlap
Mary and Alva Dunlap, City Founders
History of Dunlap
Dunlap was born on October 28, 1805 in Sandy Creek, New York. When he was 29 years old, he and his brother, Napoleon made two trips to the area now called Dunlap, Illinois. They traveled by covered wagon and settled with their families in Radnor Township during the year of 1837. Alva built a house for his family. His family included: his wife Mary and their five children, Burleigh, Byron, Marshall, Frances, and Gilbert Lane I, his brother Napoleon, his sister Burnette, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Smith Dunlap. After the Dunlap’s had settled into their new home, they had six more children, William Knight, Hortense Isabelle, Andrew Jackson, Mary Elizabeth, Mary Eleanor, and Gilbert Lane II. If you would go into the town now, the Prospect United Methodist Church stands on the original site of the Dunlap homestead. The church was built in 1966.
Dunlap surveyed the land and provided the cartography for the area. He owned 840 acres and 40 of those acres became the town of Dunlap. Also, he owned and operated a sawmill to provide lumber for the growing town. He farmed the land and worked with the first reaper in the County. An extensive library was in his home and a school was located on his property. His sister, Burnette taught two different subscription schools in vacant cabins. He gave the “right of way” through his farm for the Rock Island Railroad. Later, Alva Dunlap won the election of 1842 and officially became the Moderator for the Benton Precinct, which was composed of the Radnor and Kickapoo Townships. The town of Dunlap was officially established on June 12, 1871.
Alva and his descendents made great contributions to the Town of Dunlap. The meeting of the first Dunlap Village Council was on January 7, 1952 and the members were:
Dr. C. M. Wilmot, President
Donald Loesch, Treasurer
John Bush, Clerk
Trustees
Roscoe Allen Jr.
Harry L. Stiegele
Floyd Allard
Charles Cline
Morley Herron
John Kuhn
The town petitioned for incorporation on February 19, 1952.
Members met in an old firehouse located at 104 N. Second Street. The Village needed to expand and provide more services for the growing town. On July 9, 1995 a new Village Hall was built without raising taxes. The new facility houses the equipment and vehicles needed for the care of the community. The members of the Dunlap Village Board were:
Dr. Richard Calhoun, President
Mr. Daniel Heffern, Treasurer
Ms. Crystal Tanney, Clerk
Trustees
Ron Brown
Fred Douglas
Jack Esterdahl
Joanne Hickey
Allen Monts
Sherrie Pardieck
Dunlap has a population of 1,386 inhabitants and continues to grow with the addition of the Copperfield Subdivision. The school district and established businesses provide our community with many opportunities for enjoyable and peaceful living.
Dunlap surveyed the land and provided the cartography for the area. He owned 840 acres and 40 of those acres became the town of Dunlap. Also, he owned and operated a sawmill to provide lumber for the growing town. He farmed the land and worked with the first reaper in the County. An extensive library was in his home and a school was located on his property. His sister, Burnette taught two different subscription schools in vacant cabins. He gave the “right of way” through his farm for the Rock Island Railroad. Later, Alva Dunlap won the election of 1842 and officially became the Moderator for the Benton Precinct, which was composed of the Radnor and Kickapoo Townships. The town of Dunlap was officially established on June 12, 1871.
Alva and his descendents made great contributions to the Town of Dunlap. The meeting of the first Dunlap Village Council was on January 7, 1952 and the members were:
Dr. C. M. Wilmot, President
Donald Loesch, Treasurer
John Bush, Clerk
Trustees
Roscoe Allen Jr.
Harry L. Stiegele
Floyd Allard
Charles Cline
Morley Herron
John Kuhn
The town petitioned for incorporation on February 19, 1952.
Members met in an old firehouse located at 104 N. Second Street. The Village needed to expand and provide more services for the growing town. On July 9, 1995 a new Village Hall was built without raising taxes. The new facility houses the equipment and vehicles needed for the care of the community. The members of the Dunlap Village Board were:
Dr. Richard Calhoun, President
Mr. Daniel Heffern, Treasurer
Ms. Crystal Tanney, Clerk
Trustees
Ron Brown
Fred Douglas
Jack Esterdahl
Joanne Hickey
Allen Monts
Sherrie Pardieck
Dunlap has a population of 1,386 inhabitants and continues to grow with the addition of the Copperfield Subdivision. The school district and established businesses provide our community with many opportunities for enjoyable and peaceful living.