Stark County

Stark County is an administrative division in north-central Illinois encompassing farmland with corn and soybean crops alongside manufacturing facilities spread throughout. Smaller communities like Toulon, Wyoming, and Elmwood serve as centers of activity within this largely rural area.

The county was established in 1839 through division of Knox and Putnam counties and named after General John Stark of Revolutionary War fame. This creation reflected the expanding settlement pattern across northern Illinois during the 1800s.

The Stark County Courthouse in Toulon serves as the center for governmental activities, hosting monthly board meetings and judicial proceedings for local residents.

The courthouse in Toulon serves as the main hub for county administration and official business. Online resources are available for accessing property records and documents without visiting in person.

Multiple independent school districts operate across the county, each serving different communities and maintaining separate educational programs. This decentralized approach allows individual areas to tailor their schools to local needs.

Location: Illinois

Inception: March 1, 1839

Capital city: Toulon

Shares border with: Henry County, Bureau County, Marshall County, Peoria County, Knox County

Website: http://starkco.illinois.gov

GPS coordinates: 41.09000,-89.79000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:44