Near Belknap in Massac County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

George Rogers Clark Campsite

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

1. George Rogers Clark Campsite Marker

Inscription. Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark and his troop of 170 volunteers, principally Virginians, camped near this site, called Indian Point, on June 30, 1778. They were marching from Fort Massac to attack the British post at Kaskaskia. This was the first of five campsites on that march. Clark's men would take the post at Kaskaskia and later, the British fort at Vincennes, Indiana. This work helped secure the Illinois Territory for the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Erected 2003 by Bowman's Company, Illinois Humanities Council and Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1778.

Location. 37° 19.838′ N, 88° 52.546′ W. Marker is near Belknap, Illinois, in Massac County. It is on U.S. 45 (U.S. 45) south of Westview Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on a roadside pullout, south of Vienna and Belknap. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: US-45, Belknap IL 62908, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Johnson County Honor Roll (approx.

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5.9 miles away); Revolutionary War Veterans (approx. 5.9 miles away); Johnson County Courthouse (approx. 5.9 miles away); Route of Gen. George Rogers Clark (approx. 5.9 miles away); Thirteen Hundred and Sixty-four Volunteers (approx. 5.9 miles away); a different marker also named Route of Gen. George Rogers Clark (approx. 7.7 miles away); Cantonment Wilkinson-Ville (approx. 9.8 miles away); Upper Salem German Episcopalian Methodist Church (approx. 11.1 miles away).

More about this marker. According to the Illinois State Historical Society's website, the marker was dedicated on June 30, 2003. This is one of five markers erected by the ISHS that is titled "George Rogers Clark Campsite" (the others are in Johnson, Jackson and Randolph counties in Illinois). This was the first, in chronological order of Clark and his troops' way to Kaskaskia.

Also see . . . George Rogers Clark (Wikipedia). (Submitted on March 10, 2020, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

2. George Rogers Clark Campsite Marker

Wide shot of marker, looking north on U.S. 45

George Rogers Clark image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

3. George Rogers Clark

From Eminent Americans by Benson John Lossing 1857, page 139.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on August 24, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.