Cahokia Heights in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cahokia - The Birthplace of the Midwest

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 1, 2019

1. Cahokia - The Birthplace of the Midwest Marker

Inscription. Founded on May 14, 1699 as an Indian mission by missionary priests from the seminary of foreign missions at Quebec, Cahokia was the first European settlement in the entire Mississippi Valley.

A significant mission and a principle fur trading post during its early decades, Cahokia's fur traders reached the extremities of the Missouri River and many of its tributaries. However, Cahokia's finest days of glory were the courageous contributions of its people to the War of American Independence.

Cahokia celebrated its tri-centennial in 1999. The birthplace of the Midwest is now more than three hundred years old.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1699.

Location. 38° 34.248′ N, 90° 11.296′ W. Marker is in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It is on East 1st Street close to Church Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along with several others around a clock structure at the Cahokia

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Wedge (a grassy area), across from Church of the Holy Family. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 Church Street, East Saint Louis IL 62206, 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 World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Grand Plan (a few steps from this marker); Fort Bowman (a few steps from this marker); Cahokia Association for the Tricentennial (a few steps from this marker); Chief Pontiac (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Louis Downtown Airport (Parks Airport) (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Star Day (within shouting distance of this marker); Parks Air College (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 1, 2019

2. Cahokia - The Birthplace of the Midwest Marker

All markers forming a circle around a clock structure

marker); Lewis and Clark in Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahokia Heights.

Regarding Cahokia - The Birthplace of the Midwest. Note that the marker uses the word "principle", when "principal" would be more appropriate.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 610 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.