Lincoln in Logan County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kickapoo Town
Gilham Family Held Captive 1790
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
1. Kickapoo Town Marker
George Washington was President in 1790 when a group of Kickapoo braves captured Ann Gilham, her daughter and 2 sons from their Kentucky cabin and forced them to travel overland to this place - known as Kickapoo Town, a major Kickapoo village in central Illinois. They were held captive here for nearly two years until located and ransomed by the husband, James Gilham.
In 1815, the United States Congress granted Ann Gilham 160 acres of land as compensation for her ordeal.
In the early 1830's, the Kickapoos were forced from central Illinois. It flourished as the location for Lincoln Chautauqua in the early 1900's.
The area has been known as Lincoln Memorial Park since the middle 1900's after purchase by the City of Lincoln.
Erected 1984 by West Lincoln Township and Logan County Tourism Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
Location. 40° 8.338′ N, 89° 23.806′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Illinois, in Logan County. Marker is on Memorial Park Road south of 1520 Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the entrance of Lincoln Memorial Park. Another marker that tells the same
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lincoln Chautauqua (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Kickapoo Town (approx. ¼ mile away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Mill on 66 (approx. 0.8 miles away); Roadside Attractions (approx. 0.8 miles away); Postville Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Judge Davis and Lincoln at Deskins Inn (approx. one mile away); Deskins Tavern (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.
More about this marker. While this has the same style and format as typical Illinois State Historical Society markers, this was not erected by the ISHS.
Regarding Kickapoo Town. It is believed by historians that the actual spelling of Gilham is "Gillham".
Some sources say that Ann and her children were held in captivity longer than two years. One source (from the City of Granite City, Illinois's site) said that it may have been five years. The Gillhams would later settle in Illinois to raise their family, in present-day Madison County. Ann and her husband, James (who was a Revolutionary War Veteran), are buried
Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 27, 2020
2. Kickapoo Town Marker
Marker is at the east entrance of Lincoln Memorial Park.
See "A Kickapoo Kidnapping: A True Story"
Hints and Echoes blog entry
Click for more information.
See "A Kickapoo Kidnapping: A True Story"
Hints and Echoes blog entry
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 371 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
