Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bailey Hobson’s House
Circa 1835
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 21, 2023
1. Bailey Hobson’s House Marker
Home of the first settler of DuPage County. A flowing spring attracted Bailey Hobson to come from Indiana to build a cabin in 1830 and a home in 1835. Hobson was a farmer, miller and soldier in the Black Hawk War.
The mill site, now commemorated in Pioneer Park, was powered by water from the nearby DuPage River.
Erected 1929 by Naperville Heritage Society; DuPage County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 41° 45.078′ N, 88° 7.668′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. Marker is on Hobson Road (County Route 2) 0.2 miles Washington Street, on the right when traveling west. The stone is next to a small wayside that leads to the driveway to a private home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25W780 Hobson Road, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 1½ miles away); Fort Payne (approx. 1.6 miles away); Site of the First Frame House in DuPage County
this page online
Regarding Bailey Hobson’s House. Baily Hobson was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1830. After serving in the 1832 Black Hawk War, he eventually acquired land on either side of the DuPage River. His grist mill, the first in Northern Illinois, was established in 1834, across the river from this historical marker. The marker is located where he built his two-story home for his family, including his wife, Clarissa, and 12 children. He died in 1850. Pioneer Park, referenced on the plaque, is across the river, about a quarter-mile west. It was acquired by the Naperville Park District in 1929; it has been managed by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County since 2016.
Library of Congress, circa 1936
2. Historic photo of Hobson’s house
via David McCarthy, unknown
3. Bailey Hobson
The Hobson Collection
Naperville Heritage Society
Library/Archives Collections
Click for more information.
Naperville Heritage Society
Library/Archives Collections
Click for more information.
Photographed By Sean Flynn, October 21, 2023
4. Bailey Hobson’s House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 7, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on October 21, 2023, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
