Waterloo in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Site of the First English Speaking School in Illinois

James Seeley School Marker-Plaque image. Click for full size.

September 29, 2019

1. James Seeley School Marker-Plaque

Inscription. On this site, in the year 1783, stood the first English speaking public school in the state of Illinois. It was taught by Samuel J. Seeley. The school was an abandoned squatters cabin, located on a tract of land known as the James Lemen Greater, later the Vernum Homestead.

Erected by 233 Woodmen of the World.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.

Location. 38° 16.02′ N, 90° 7.77′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on KK Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is off of the right off of the road, tucked into some weeds. It consists of a plaque on a crumbling rock and backs up against a grain field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5101 KK Road, Waterloo IL 62298, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sgt. Zebediah Barker / Pvt. Moses Varnum (approx. 1.1 miles away); James Lemen (approx. 1.8 miles away); Tipton, Illinois (approx. 1.9 miles away); Armin Henry Krueger (approx. 2.2 miles away); St. Joe, Illinois (approx. 2.8 miles away); Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wartburg (approx. 4 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.

More about this marker. The school was located in an old, abandoned squatter's cabin.

James Seeley School Marker and General Location image. Click for full size.

September 29, 2019

2. James Seeley School Marker and General Location

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2019. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.