Palestine in Crawford County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

United States Land Office

Photographed by Al Wolf

1. United States Land Office Marker

Inscription.
A United States Land Office was located at this site in 1820 and operated until 1855. Settlers from as far as Chicago came here to file on homesteads. Young Abraham Lincoln passing through Palestine in 1830 with his family in emigrant wagons noticed a crowd before this land office.

Erected 1950 by Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 39° 0.176′ N, 87° 36.758′ W. Marker is in Palestine, Illinois, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Market Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is on the grounds of Palestine High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 N Main St, Palestine IL 62451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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: The Fife Opera House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Auntie Gogin's Store (about 400 feet away); Houston-Dickson Store (about 500 feet away); Gov. Augustus C. French

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(about 600 feet away); Old Christian Church (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); You Are Not Forgotten (about 700 feet away); Cullom Homestead (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palestine.

Also see . . . Historical Palestine, IL - A Town for Yesteryear and for Today. Heroes, Heroines, and History website entry (Submitted on December 18, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Another View - - United States Land Office Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf

2. Another View - - United States Land Office Marker

"" Shrubbery - - Class 1931 - 1932 "" Concrete Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

3. "" Shrubbery - - Class 1931 - 1932 "" Concrete Marker

The building now at this location is the Palestine High School. The Class of 1931-1932 gave a gift to the future.

Looking North / West - - The Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

4. Looking North / West - - The Markers

Looking West - - United States Land Office & Concrete - Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

5. Looking West - - United States Land Office & Concrete - Marker

Markers:: at the South End of Palestine High School Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

6. Markers:: at the South End of Palestine High School Building

Markers - Well Shaded. . . image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf

7. Markers - Well Shaded. . .

Under the tree to the right in the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,814 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.