Near North Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Illinois
Photographed by Connor Olson, July 7, 2024
1. The Illinois Marker
The state of Illinois and the river that flows before you were named after the Illinois Confederation who once inhabited areas of Illinois, lowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arkansas.
The Grand Village of the Illinois, now a historic site, was once a large settlement that existed along the Illinois River across from present-day Starved Rock. The Peoria, a sub-tribe of the Illinois frequented the site throughout the 1700s.
By the 1800s the Illinois were forced from their lands through various treaties to settle in areas of Missouri (1832), Kansas (1854), and Oklahoma (1867). Today the descendants of the Illinois belong to the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
The Illinois lived off the land in a season by season pattern of hunting, gathering, and farming Crops such as maize were planted in the fertile soils of spring white, villagers left in summer for the great bison hunt among the tall grass prairies The harvest took place in autumn and corn was stored over winter as villagers broke into smaller encampments to hunt for animals such as beaver, bison, deer geese, and turkey.
Fun Fact
The term "shelling corn" originated from using mussels to remove the kernels of com from the cob.
Erected by Illinois Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 41° 19.296′ N, 88° 59.425′ W. Marker is near North Utica, Illinois, in LaSalle County. It can be reached from Bluff Trail east of East 8th Road (Illinois Route 178), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2678 East 873 Road, Oglesby IL 61348, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois and specifically in the Illinois River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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: Fort Saint Louis (here, next to this marker); This Plaque is Placed in Memory of the Patriots (a few steps from this marker); A New Water Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legend of Starved Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort St. Louis (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commemorating the Deeds of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (about 700 feet away); Starved Rock (about 700 feet away); Renι Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle (approx. 0.2 miles away).
Photographed by Connor Olson, July 7, 2024
2. The Illinois Marker on the right
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
