River Grove in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 6, 2024

1. Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua Marker

Inscription. Local lore has it that this boulder known as "Che-Che-Pin-Qua Rock" (The Indian name given to Alexander Robinson), was used by the Potawatomi tribe as a trail marker along our river.

This rock is native to our woods. Reach out to touch a piece of history.

Erected 2023 by River Grove Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 55.707′ N, 87° 50.617′ W. Marker is in River Grove, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Ditka Drive near Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in River Front Park, part of the Lions Club Sensory Path on its west end, near the Des Plaines River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: River Grove IL 60171, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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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: History (here, next to this marker); River Grove Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The River Grove Historical House and Barn (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); River Grove World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in River Grove.

More about this marker. The marker is one of about a dozen on the sensory path. This marker, and all of the markers on this path, include English text at the top and a Braille translation below it.

Regarding Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua. Alexander Robinson, who is referenced on this plaque, was a chief of the Potawatomi, Chippewa and Ottawa and was known by the name Che-Che-Pin-Qua.

Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 6, 2024

2. Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua

The rock referenced on the marker, which is seen from the rear.

He was known for rescuing the surviving settlers who had been defeated by the Potawatomi in the Battle of Fort Dearborn in 1812. Robinson was also instrumental in negotiating the 1812 Treaty of St. Louis and the 1829 Treaty of Prairie du Chien, and he was rewarded for his work with a tract of land along the Des Plaines River. He is buried in a family plot north of Lawrence Ave. near East River Road, about 2¾ miles due north of here (as the crow flies) on land that is now part of a Cook County Forest Preserve called Robinson Woods.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Alexander Robinson's gravesite

Also see . . . Che-che-pin-qua. From the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, a brief bio of Alexander Robinson. (Submitted on May 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Lions Club Sensory Path image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 6, 2024

3. Lions Club Sensory Path

The Rock Che-Che-Pin-Qua marker is one of the first markers on this path.

Lions Club playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 6, 2024

4. Lions Club playground

The Sensory Path is on the west side of the park.

Alexander Robinson (Che-Che-Pin-Qua) image. Click for full size.

Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, Univ. of California at Riverside

5. Alexander Robinson (Che-Che-Pin-Qua)

A drawing of Alexander Robinson from late in his life.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.