Woodbine Township near Elizabeth in Jo Daviess County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Voices of the Past

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

1. Voices of the Past Marker

Inscription.

“Rock River was a beautiful country, I liked my town, my cornfields, and the home of my people, I fought for them.” – Black Hawk's autobiography

“Apple River Fort had once been an extensive smelting establishment, and had become a considerable village, the fort being small, families lived in these houses in day time, and every one had his own to himself, but at night all repaired to the fort for safety.” – John Flack, settler at Apple River Fort

War came to the northern Illinois frontier in the summer of 1832. The Black Hawk War was a brief and tragic conflict between two peoples defending their families and fighting for their homes.

On June 24, the recent inhabitants of Apple River settlement fought a desperate, hour-long battle against the Sac and Fox, a people who called this region home for over a hundred years. Voices from both sides of this battle speak to us from the past. They remind us that we share the same hopes and fears for our families, our homes, and our ways of life across cultures and across time.

As you read the following panels, think what would you have done in 1832? What would you do today?

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1832.

Location. 42° 19.112′ N, 90° 13.109′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, Illinois, in Jo Daviess County. It is in Woodbine Township. It is on East Myrtle Street east of Illinois Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the entrance road to Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elizabeth IL 61028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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: A different marker also

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

2. Voices of the Past Marker

named Voices of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 300 feet away); Building the Apple River Fort (about 800 feet away); Attack! On Apple River Fort (about 800 feet away); Chicago Great Western Railroad Depot (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabeth.

Also see . . .
1. Apple River Fort State Historic Site. Homepage for the historical site, which features an exact replica of the fort. (Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Battle of Apple River Fort. Wikipedia entry on the June 24, 1832 conflict, in which the fort's roughly 30 men and boys – aided by women and girls – fought off Black Hawk's 150 warriors. (Submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.