Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Samuel Benedict Reed

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

1. Samuel Benedict Reed Marker

Plaque has a green patina and its irregular shape has depictions of greenery surrounding it and a small depiction of survey equipment on the side of the text.

Inscription. On this spot in 1850
Samuel Benedict Reed
Civil Engineer : Pioneer Railroad Builder : Citizen of Joliet
Began the survey for the present Chicago Rock Island and Pacific the first railroad to reach and bridge the Mississippi River. The first train into Joliet reached this initial point October in 1852

As chief engineer of construction he directed the building of the Union Pacific the first trans-continental railroad the completion of which in 1869 realized the dream of Columbus: a westward trade route to the Indies

This rock from the street of the Continental Divide on the line of the Union Pacific was placed here through the cooperation of these two railroads and dedicated October 10 1922

Erected 1922.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 41° 31.482′ N, 88° 4.907′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. It can be reached from West Jefferson Street near U.S. 6. Marker is in front of Will County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 West Jefferson Street, Joliet IL 60432, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

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 walking distance of this marker: World War I Memorial Tree (here, next to this marker); Bartleson Post No. 6 Memorial Tree

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(here, next to this marker); Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named World War I Memorial Tree (a few steps from this marker); Roswell P. Flower (a few steps from this marker); Nelson D. Elwood (a few steps from this marker); Capt. William E. Harwood, M.D. (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial Trees (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.

Also see . . . Samuel Benedict Reed. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on November 6, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Samuel Benedict Reed image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, unknown

2. Samuel Benedict Reed

Monument dedicated to Samuel B. Reed, chief engineer of construction of the Union Pacific Railroad image. Click for full size.

via University of Iowa, 1922

3. Monument dedicated to Samuel B. Reed, chief engineer of construction of the Union Pacific Railroad

Unveiled at Joliet, Illinois, October 10, 1922 with Reed's great-granddaughter present.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 30, 2020

4. Samuel Benedict Reed Marker

Marker is near some memorials in front of Will County Courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on October 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.