Forest View in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Chicago Portage: A History of People and Travel
Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 9, 2024
1. The Chicago Portage: A History of People and Travel Marker
There is a long history of people traversing this region. American Indians, explorers, French and American fur traders, settlers and travelers to the West have all passed before you.
Before roads, rivers and lakes were the quickest paths to travel and transport heavy loads. But bodies of water don't connect to each other in the way a modern transportation network does. Early travelers had to carry, or "portage" their boats, gear and goods across land gaps to make connections to river systems.
American Indians
For thousands of years local American Indians used this portage site as they traversed the region in dugout canoes for hunting, trapping, trading, and making war. They shared their knowledge with the first European explorers.
Erected by Cook County Forest Preserve District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 41° 48.293′ N, 87° 48.175′ W. Marker is in Forest View, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Harlem Avenue (Illinois Route 43) and Portage Trail, on the
this page online
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 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: The Chicago Portage Site at the Forest Preserves of Cook County (a few steps from this marker); Portage Creek Passage (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Trades on its Natural Advantages (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Portage Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Portage National Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chicago Portage (within shouting distance of this marker); Portage Passage (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 09.11.2001 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest View.
Photographed by Lou Donkle, February 9, 2024
2. Pavilion with markers
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
