Oakland

History

Oakland, formerly known as Independence, was platted in 1833. Pioneer doctor and abolitionist Hiram Rutherford moved to Oakland in 1840 to start his practice in the young town. He became a prominent citizen. Rutherford is best known for his involvement in the 1847 Matson Trial, which involved his friend Abraham Lincoln. A Kentucky slave owner, General 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 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.

Geography

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Oakland has a total area of , of which (or 95.60%) is land and (or 4.40%) is water.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  436
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  412
• Killdeer

  Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  410
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  410
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  378
• Horned Lark

  Eremophila alpestris (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  364
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  344
• American Kestrel

  Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  316

Largest nearby schools

• Lake Crest Elem School
  Elementary · Oakland · 185 students · 11.6:1 ratio
• Ashmore Elem School
  Elementary · Ashmore · 82 students · 11.7:1 ratio
• Oakland High School
  High · Oakland · 67 students · 5.6:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 3.26 — 2025-05-13
  7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois
• M 2.58 — 2023-10-26
  6 km SSE of Herrick, Illinois
• M 3.82 — 2021-06-17
  Illinois-Indiana border region
• M 2.5 — 2007-11-28
  5 km S of Hutsonville, Illinois