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

Ford Monument

Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail

September 30, 2019

1. Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail/Ford Monument

Inscription.
Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail: 40 Miles to Kaskaskia
20 Miles to Cahokia

Here passed the ancient trail trod first by buffaloes and Indians, then by explorers, traders and French settlers of Kaskaskia and Cahokia. Revolutionary War soldiers with George Rogers Clark made the first permanent American settlements along this trail in the 1780's. Erected 1975 by the Monoroe County Historical Society.

Ford Monument:
Near this marker stood the boyhood home of Thomas Ford, 1800-1850, eighth governor of Illinois. He held many public offices before serving as governor, 1842-1846. His mother, Elizabeth Forquer Ford, a pioneer school teacher, raised her seven children in a log house on the West side of Main Street, just South of the Ditch Tavern, where the first court in Waterloo was held. George Forquer, his half brother and Daniel P. Cook were the projectors of the town of Waterloo in 1818. Forquer later served as attorney general of Illinois. Erected 1974 by the Monroe County Historical Society.

Erected 1974 by Monroe County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location.

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38° 20.317′ N, 90° 9.073′ W. Marker is in Waterloo, Illinois, in Monroe County. Marker is on North Main Street when traveling west. The marker is mounted to a monument at the Waterloo Firehouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 North Main Street Waterloo, Illinois 62298, Waterloo IL 62298, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul United Church Of Christ (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oldendorf-Horn Building (about 700 feet away); Schorr Brewing Co. (about 700 feet away); The Moore Family (about 700 feet away); President Obama's Visit to Waterloo (about 700 feet away); Porta Westfalica (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterloo.

Ford Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 26, 2020

2. Ford Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2019. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 30, 2019, by Rylee Marie Imhoff of Dupo, St. Clair. 2. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.