Bourbonnais in Kankakee County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Durham-Perry Family Legacy

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 10, 2017

1. The Durham-Perry Family Legacy Marker

Inscription. Thomas Durham bought 160 acres on this site in 1835 from Gurdon S. Hubbard. Known as the Jonveau Reserve, the land lay in an area called Bourbonnais Grove. Durham opened 20 acres for cultivation. In January 1836, parts of Cook and Iroquois Counties became Will County and Durham’s farm became part of Rock Village precinct. Durham was elected precinct commissioner. He petitioned to have Bourbonnais Trace (now Route 102) made a state road. Durham became Bourbonnais Grove’s postmaster in 1849 and remained so until Kankakee County was formed in 1853. He died in 1854, was buried on this site, and left the farm to his sons.

Davis Perry came to Bourbonnais Grove in 1840, built a mill and married Durham’s daughter, Martha. He bought the farm from Durham’s sons in 1866. When he died in 1887, his son Alvah inherited the farm. A tenant farmer maintained the ladn while Alvah and his family lived in Wilmette. They spent summers and holidays at the farmhouse. Alvah died in 1899.

Lomira Alvah Perry—a University of Chicago graduate, Kankakee High School’s Dean of Girls, and the last living daughter of Alvah—died in 1961.

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She left the farm in trust to the State of Illinois. She hoped some part of it could be made a park. In 1986, the state awarded the farm to the Bourbonnais Township Park District.

Erected 2004 by the Bourbonnais Township Park District and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 41° 8.854′ N, 87° 52.61′ W. Marker is in Bourbonnais, Illinois, in Kankakee County. It can be reached from Croswell Avenue north of Perry Street, on the left when traveling east. It is in Perry Farm Park in the grove of trees behind the farmhouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bourbonnais IL 60914, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 10, 2017

2. The Durham-Perry Family Legacy Marker

The inscription on the rock in the center of the paved area reads, “Thomas Durham, born: Brunswick, Virginia Oct. 1, 1784; Died: Bourbonnais Grove, Illinois, Mar. 13, 1854.”

it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Durham-Perry Farmstead (within shouting distance of this marker); The Durham-Perry Farmstead Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Donald H. and Faith N. Bell West Campus (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Freedom Sign (about 700 feet away); Wayne Michael Hayes Freedom Garden (about 700 feet away); Noël Le Vasseur (approx. half a mile away); A Night of Tragedy and Heroism (approx. half a mile away); Jardin aux Potages (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bourbonnais.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 10, 2017

3. The Durham-Perry Family Legacy Marker

The Barns at Perry Farm Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 10, 2017

4. The Barns at Perry Farm Park

The Durham-Perry Farmhouse, Facing Kennedy Drive (State Route 102) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 10, 2017

5. The Durham-Perry Farmhouse, Facing Kennedy Drive (State Route 102)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.