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Near North Side in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Old Town's Early Settlers (#11)

 
 
Old Town's Early Settlers (#11) Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 5, 2021
1. Old Town's Early Settlers (#11) Marker
Inscription. In the 1830s, the marshland of what is today known as Old Town was settled by a group of Roman Catholic immigrants from southern Germany. As farmers and laborers, the settlers converted marshland into meadows and gardens, growing cabbage, celery and potatoes. The area became known as Cabbage Patch. The German heritage of the settlers was celebrated with the building of churches, concert halls, saloons, breweries, and other businesses. After the great Chicago Fire, the area was renamed North Town. In the 1950s. the neighborhood was designated as Old Town by the city of Chicago. (Marker Number 11.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 series list.
 
Location. 41° 54.581′ N, 87° 38.075′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in the Near North Side. It is on North Wells Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1513 North Wells Street, Chicago IL 60610, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Prominent Residents of Old Town (#2) (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town’s Entrepreneur Spirit (about 400 feet away,
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measured in a direct line); Old Town and The Great Fire (#3) (about 500 feet away); Second City (about 600 feet away); Village Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prominent Residents of Old Town (#12) (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Richard M. and Shirley H. Jaffee History Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Western Wheel Works Factory and Dr. Scholl Footwear Factory (#4) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
 
Old Town's Early Settlers (#11) Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 5, 2021
2. Old Town's Early Settlers (#11) Marker - wide view
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Jun. 28, 2026