La Harpe in Hancock County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Oatman Lilac Bush

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 8, 2021

1. Oatman Lilac Bush Marker

Inscription. In memory of
Royce Oatman Family in LaHarpe
1832-1842
Four of seven children were born here: Lucy, Lorenzo, Olive and Royce Jr. In 1851, six members were massacred by Indians in Arizona. Olive, and sister Mary Ann, were captured. Lorenzo was left for dead.

Wife, Mary Ann Sperry Oatman, planted a lilac bush at each of their homes. This bush is from an original in Whiteside County, IL.

Erected 1994 by La Harpe Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 40° 34.996′ N, 90° 58.191′ W. Marker is in La Harpe, Illinois, in Hancock County. It is on West Main Street (Illinois Route 9) west of Center Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the town square park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 S Center St, La Harpe IL 61450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln Runs For Senate (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lincoln Was a Guest (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Simon Cemetery (approx. 7½ miles away); Politics and Lincoln (approx. 11.1 miles away); Lincoln Spoke Here (approx. 11.1 miles away); Hamilton House (approx. 14½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Harpe.

Also see . . . Olive Oatman on Wikipedia. Tells more about the Oatman attack. The town of Oatman, Arizona, is named for the family. (Submitted on September 14, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 8, 2021

2. Oatman Lilac Bush Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.