Near Scottland in Edgar County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Thy Wonderous Story, Illinois

June 30, 2017

1. Thy Wonderous Story, Illinois Marker

Inscription. The fertile prairies in Illinois attracted the attention of French fur trader Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette as they explored the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in 1673. France claimed this region until 1763 when she surrendered it to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris. During the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark and his small army scored a bloodless victory when they captured Kaskaskia for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Illinois became a county of Virginia. This area was ceded to the United States in 1784, and became in turn a part of the Northwest Territory and the Indiana and Illinois Territories, on December 3, 1818, Illinois entered the Union as the twenty-first state.

U.S. 36 touches six counties which were part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit. From 1839 to 1860 Abraham Lincoln followed the court as it moved from county seat to county seat within the circuit thus he came to such cities as Paris, Sullivan, Monticello, Decatur and Springfield for the bi-annual terms.

West of Decatur this highway passes near the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park on the banks of the Sangamon River. This was the site of the first Lincoln home in Illinois when the family came from Indiana in 1830. The following spring Thomas Lincoln moved to Coles County and Abraham moved on to New Salem, 20 miles northwest of Springfield. U.S. 36 passes through Springfield where Lincoln's home and tomb are state memorials. Springfield is also the site of the Old State Capitol where Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" speech.

Erected 1965

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by The Division of Highways and The Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list.

Location. 39° 47.786′ N, 87° 33.099′ W. Marker is near Scottland, Illinois, in Edgar County. It can be reached from U.S. 36. Marker is located in a small park in a rest stop area alongside the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chrisman IL 61924, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ernie Pyle Home (approx. 3.1 miles away in

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Indiana); Replica of Ernie Pyle Monument (approx. 5.2 miles away in Indiana); Pontiac Peace Treaty (approx. 6.8 miles away); One of The Original Milestones (# 97) (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Treaty Between Harrison and the Indians (approx. 7.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (approx. 8 miles away); Dedicated to All Veterans (approx. 8½ miles away); The Hillsdale Steps (approx. 8.8 miles away in Indiana).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2019. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 23 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 22, 2019. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.