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

Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 17, 2021

1. Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail Marker

Inscription. Columbia's Main Street began as the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail, a path created by Indians as long as 11,000 B.C. when the traveled from Old Kaskaskia [Kaskaskia Island] to Cahokia. The Trail played an integral part in French colonization, and remained a main road through the founding of Illinois as a state. With the coming of settlers to the area, the path became well used and was widened to accommodate wagons and stagecoaches. To aid travelers as they journeyed through Columbia, an inn, stores, saloons and a post office were established. The streetcar ran down the center of Main Street as continued growth necessitated better transportation.

Erected by Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail; Columbia, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 26.388′ N, 90° 11.549′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and Ludman Street, on the right when traveling north on

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South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 658 S Main St, Columbia IL 62236, 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 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: Rohm House (within shouting distance of this marker); Eichmuller-Rau Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); German Style Cottage (about 400 feet away); Schmidt Beer Cave (about 600 feet away); Schmidt House & Brewery (about 700 feet away); Corporation Line Sign (about 800 feet away); South Meter Whistle Stop (about 800 feet away); Columbia/Waterloo Road Whistle Post (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 17, 2021

2. Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.