A little more about Collinsville, Illinois...

In 1810, John Cook of Shepherdstown, Virginia built the first permanent home in Collinsville. In 1817, the three Collins brothers (for whom the City is named) came from the East and established residence. The Collins family established a distillery store, sawmill, blacksmith, carpenter, and wagon shops.

The village was platted in 1837 and the village Charter was adopted and trustees elected in 1850. In 1872, Collinsville was incorporated as a City and John Becker was elected the first Mayor of Collinsville. In 1885, the City Hall was built and is still in operation today. In 1870, Dr. Lumaghi sank a coal mine and began a half century era in which Collinsville, prospered as a mining town.

The City of Collinsville has experienced considerable changes and growth since its coal mining days in the late 1800's. Collinsville is one of the fastest growing community in the St. Louis metropolitan area with a population as of the 2005 of 25,707.

Collinsville has become much more than a bedroom community for nearby St. Louis, Missouri. Collinsville is a haven for people who have grown weary of the hustle and bustle of urban living and desire a small-town atmosphere. rolling hills, large homes, and shaded streets add beauty and a sense of community with a strong connection to the past.

Collinsville's comprehensive plan for growth has a goal of improving the community while protecting property values and quality of life. The City operates under the council-manager form of government which consists of a City Council of a Mayor and four Council members elected at-large, and a City Manager appointed by the Council. The term of the Mayor and Council is four years. The City Manager serves as chief administrator of the City, under the direction of the Council.