Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1722 - Village of Prairie du Rocher is Formed
Photographed By Thomas Smith, September 10, 2022
1. 1722 - Village of Prairie du Rocher is Formed Marker
In 1722, as part of the old French colony that developed in the Mississippi Valley, a tract of land donated by the Royal Indies Company was settled as Prairie du Rocher. The motivation for this settlement was agriculture, mining, and a home for settler's, many being new arrivals from France. The population of the area was 126 not counting seventy-seven slaves (fifty-nine black and seventeen Indian).
Historical Relevance
1720 - 1st Fort de Chartres was built to protect and develop France's holdings here, which held great promise for economic opportunity.
1731 - Ben Franklin establishes the first public library.
1734 - Nivois / Melliete House was built, still stands near St. Joseph's Cemetery.
To This Day........
1722 - La Guiannee is celebrated - the tradition which remains unbroken 300 years later (2022). During New Year's Eve, members of La Guiannee, wearing 18th century attire, carol from door to door performing the French folk begging song, "La Guiannee".
Besides providing for local consumption, Prairie du Rocher shipped approximately 400,000 Livres of wheat to the New Orleans and Louisiana country. About 247 producing farms with approximately 2250 acres cultivated in wheat in the area at that time. The origin
this page online
⚜️ New Orleans is only 4 years older than Prairie du Rocher. ⚜️
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1722.
Location. 38° 5.173′ N, 90° 5.864′ W. Marker is in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, in Randolph County. Marker is on Market Street just north of Court Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 Market St, Prairie du Rocher IL 62277, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1763 - Treaty of Paris Affects Prairie du Rocher (here, next to this marker); 1951 - Archaeological Dig Unearth Archaic Artifacts (a few steps from this marker); 1778 - Third Flag To Fly Over Prairie du Rocher (a few steps from this marker); 1743 - Common Ground Established in Prairie du Rocher (a few steps from this marker); 1889 - First Phantom Funeral Sighting Documented (a few steps from this marker); 1818 - Changes in Government Local and State (a few steps from this marker); Palmier's Hall & Cafe (within shouting distance of this
Photographed By Thomas Smith, September 10, 2022
2. 1722 - Village of Prairie du Rocher is Formed Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 15, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on October 4, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
