Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Joseph Kettlestrings

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

1. Joseph Kettlestrings Marker

Inscription. This tablet marks the spot where stood the home of Joseph Kettlestrings the first White settler in Oak Park, this ground being a portion of the quarter section of land which he purchased from the United States Government in the year 1833 at a price of one dollar and a quarter an acre.

Erected 1927 by People of Oak Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 41° 53.329′ N, 87° 47.748′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on Lake Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 820 Lake Street, Oak Park IL 60301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joseph and Betty Kettlestrings (within shouting distance of this marker); Percy L. Julian (within shouting distance of this marker); Unity Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Scoville Park is the Heart of Oak Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Peace Triumphant (about 300 feet away); World War I Monument: Peace Triumphant (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Unity Temple

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(about 400 feet away); Scoville Park's Designer: Jens Jensen (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. The actual site of the original Kettlestrings homestead is several blocks to the west on Lake Street and is marked separately (Birthplace of Oak Park).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Birthplace of Oak Park

Also see . . . A Brief History of Oak Park (Oak Park River Forest Museum). (Submitted on December 27, 2021.)

Joseph Kettlestrings Marker - wide view, with the Oak Park Public Library as the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 4, 2021

2. Joseph Kettlestrings Marker - wide view, with the Oak Park Public Library as the background

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.