River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Trail Blazer

Sleipner

— First vessel direct from Europe destined for Chicago —

Trail Blazer Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 15, 2019

1. Trail Blazer Marker

close up, showing text

Inscription. The Norwegian sailing ship Sleipner left Bergen, Norway- May 23, 1862 arrived Chicago- August 2, 1862 this ship, carrying 107 passengers and 350 tons of cargo moored at this location in the Chicago River. The Sleipner called again in 1863, 1864 and 1865 thus paving the way for overseas- Great Lakes transportation by water this centennial plaque is a gift to the City of Chicago from the Norwegian- Americans of the Midwest affixed on August 2, 1962

Erected 1962 by The Norwegian- Americans of the Midwest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 41° 53.278′ N, 87° 37.693′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. Marker is on North State Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the north tower of the Bataan- Corregidor Memorial Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 N State St, Chicago IL 60654, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge (here, next to this marker); Marina City (within shouting distance of this marker); IBM Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bataan- Corregidor Memorial Bridge

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chicago's First Movable Bridge (about 300 feet away); South Water Street (about 300 feet away); Viet Nam Memorial (about 400 feet away); Chicago Remembers (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 15, 2019

2. Trail Blazer Marker

full view of marker on bridge tower

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 15, 2019

3. Trail Blazer Marker

marker as seen looking north across the Bataan- Corregidor Memorial Bridge

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 15, 2019

4. Trail Blazer Marker

artwork on the marker. Some sources say the "Sleipner" was a schooner, others say it was a brig.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.