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

Building the Apple River Fort

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

1. Building the Apple River Fort Marker

Inscription. This area was the site of several cabins built by the early families of the Apple River Settlement. Located on a hillside, it provided a view of the surrounding area. A spring in the draw to the east supplied water. And the Kellogg Trail, running from Dixon's Ferry to Galena, passed nearby.

When the settlers heard of Black Hawk's rout of the Illinois militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run on May 14, 1832, they quickly set about building a fort for their protection. They chose one of the settler's cabins for one corner of the fort, and another structure, perhaps a log outbuilding, for the opposite corner. The settlers then felled trees, dug a 2-foot to 3-foot trench connecting the two buildings, and erected a palisade of 14- to 15-foot logs, thereby creating a fort 50 x 70 feet.

The settlers turned the outbuilding into a blockhouse by adding a second story that projected out over the lower story some two feet. At the two corners opposite the buildings, they erected firing stands. The fort's defenders could now see in all directions, and from the blockhouse and firing stands, stop anyone who might be trying to climb

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the wall or set the fort on fire.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1832.

Location. 42° 19.119′ N, 90° 12.935′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, Illinois, in Jo Daviess County. It is in Woodbine Township. It is on Old Fort Road 0.2 miles east of Illinois Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in a shelter on the 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2024

2. Building the Apple River Fort Marker

of this marker: Attack! On Apple River Fort (here, next to this marker); Voices of the Past (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Voices of the Past (about 800 feet away); Chicago Great Western Railroad Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabeth.

Replica Apple River Fort Blockhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 29, 2019

3. Replica Apple River Fort Blockhouse

The settlers took what likely was a log outbuilding and turned into a blockhouse like this one.

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 283 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.