Paul Vinnedge, Peoria Real Estate Agent
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Dunlap IL Area Guide

Dunlap is a small village located in Peoria County, Illinois. As of 2000, Dunlap’s population was 926. The village only covers sixteen blocks and is home to a small number of businesses. Dunlap High School is located here on the southeast fringe of the community. The school serves many students from the northern areas of Peoria.

Dunlap History

Alva Dunlap and his brother Napoleon were originally from Sandy Creek, New York. They made two trips to the area that is now Dunlap by covered wagon and settled with their families in Radnor Township in 1837. Today, the Prospect United Methodist Church is located on the original site of the Dunlap homestead.

Dunlap owned 840 acres of land in the area, 40 of which later became Dunlap. His property was home to a large library and a school. Dunlap gave the Rock Island Railroad permission to run through his farm. Dunlap won the election in 1842 and became the Moderator for the Benton Precinct, which was composed of the Radnor and Kickapoo Townships. Dunlap was officially established in 1871.

Dunlap Parks and Recreation

Dunlap is home to many perfect places for fishing, viewing wildlife, and for simply enjoying the outdoors. Take your boat out on Snakeden Hollow Lake and bask in the glorious weather that you’ll find here in Dunlap!

Snakeden Hollow State Fish & Wildlife Area
The Snakeden Hallow State Fish and Wildlife Area is a popular area in Dunlap for viewing wildlife and for fishing. Snakeden was named after a small creek that “snakes” its way through the property. The site was originally a surface mining site for coal from 1962 to 1970. Many people considered them to provide a wealth of opportunity for the development of fish and wildlife habitat. In 1987 the State of Illinois bought the property from the Midland Coal Company and began to work with the Soil Conservation Service to ease any environmental concerns on the land.

Due to the small size of the area, residents of Dunlap travel to Peoria because of its close proximity for entertainment, shopping, and many other purposes. Please view the Peoria and other area guides for more information about the areas and what they have to offer.