Brush Point

Illinois ghost towns cluster around the old lead district and the coal fields that fed Chicago.

Brush Point was a community in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States, which is now extinct. In June 1839, it was considered as one of the three potential sites for the county seat. The town received the backing of local doctor Henry Madden. However, Brush Point ultimately lost out to Sycamore and eventually disappeared. It was located in Mayfield Township, northwest of Sycamore and north of DeKalb. The old Brush Point School was located at 42°01′41″N 88°45′13″W.

The on-the-ground condition of Brush Point is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Brush Point is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Brush Point is roughly 42.0281, -88.7536 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.