Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Horse Market Days

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 11, 2024

1. Horse Market Days Marker

Inscription. Naperville's Horse Market Days drew farmers and dealers from all over to haggle and show off their horses.

Monthly horse sales in front of the Pre-Emption House began in 1885. Dealers hired boys to exercise the animals and take them to the railroad depot for shipment to their new owners. Horse Market Days ended in the early 1900s. A re-creation of the Pre-Emption House (demolished in 1946) now serves as Naper Settlement's visitor center.

[Caption beneath photo on the left:]
Newspaper advertisement for Becker & Cushman Horse Market Day sale, November 28, 1900

[Caption beneath top photo on the right:]
Postcard of Naperville's Horse Market Days, postmarked 1909

[Caption beneath second image on the right:]
Horse Market Days newspaper advertisement, May 27, 1885

[Caption beneath third image on the right:]
"Naperville Clarion" newspaper article, April 15, 1885

[Box in bottom left:]
Visit the Brushstrokes of the Past exhibit located in the Pre-Emption House to learn how farriers took care of horses!

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 41° 46.185′ N,

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88° 9.093′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of South Webster Street and Aurora Avenue on South Webster Street. The marker is in front of the Naper Settlement, next to the statue of the boy and horse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 523 South Webster Street, Naperville IL 60540, 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 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: Naperville Heritage Society (a few steps from this marker); Steve Chirico (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial (about 600 feet away); Grassroots Overlook (about 600 feet away); Antique Show Plow (about 600 feet away); Dick Tracy (about 600

Photographed by Sean Flynn, May 11, 2024

2. Horse Market Days Marker

Behind the marker are a statue of a boy and a horse and the Pre-Emption House, part of the Naper Settlement.

feet away); Farmers Monument (about 700 feet away); "Streaming History" (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

More about this marker. The marker is next to a statue of a boy and horse, and a short distance from the Pre-Emption House referenced on this marker.

Also see . . . Naper Settlement official site. (Submitted on May 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.