Western Springs in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County

1835

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

1. Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County Marker

Inscription. Last camp site of the
Potawatomie Indians
in Cook County
1835

Erected 1930 by Daughters of the American Revolution, LaGrange-Illinois Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, and the Daughters of the American Revolution series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 41° 46.758′ N, 87° 53.833′ W. Marker is in Western Springs, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Plainfield Road and Wolf Road, on the right when traveling west on Plainfield Road. The marker is in front of the sign for the Timber Trails subdivision. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Western Springs IL 60558, 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sacajawea (Boat Launcher) (approx. half a mile away); This was "Countryside" (approx. 1.3 miles away); 1925 Erie "Type B" Steam Shovel (approx. 1.3 miles away); Memorial Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Specialist John R. Sullivan (approx. 1½ miles away); John H. Brancato, Jr. (approx. 1.6 miles away);

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James D. Stevenson (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bennett Field Lights (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Western Springs.

More about this marker. While the memorial is visible and prominent at the northwest corner of Plainfield and Wolf roads, there is no parking immediately nearby. To access it by foot, you can park in the Timber Trails subdivision on Hickory Drive, about 50 yards away.

Regarding Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County. The Potawatomie (there are many alternate spellings, including Potawatomi and Pottawatomie) are believed to have originally settled in this area of Illinois in the early 1700s, generally making seasonal encampments over the next century or so. Throughout the first three decades of the 19th century, a series of treaties led to the gradual ceding of lands from the Potawatomie and other Native American tribes in the region to the U.S. government. In 1833, after U.S. troops successfully quelled the Indian opposition in the Black Hawk War, the Potawatomies signed the Treaty of Chicago, which ultimately led to the expulsion of Native Americans from Northern Illinois to lands west of the Mississippi

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

2. Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County Marker

River. While the treaty accelerated the white settlement of Chicago—it was incorporated as a town in 1833, and became a city in 1837—Native Americans in the region began their exit. This 1930 plaque commemorates the final Native Americans' journey westward, in 1835, and their encampment at this location, on the farm of Joseph Vial.

Also see . . .
1. Village of Indian Head Park History. The official history of Indian Head Park, whose northern border is Plainfield Road, references the plaque located at Plainfield and Wolf roads.

Excerpt: "On May 5, 1930 the La Grange chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a commemorative ceremony to dedicate a historic marker noting the last camp site of the Potawatomi in Cook County. During the ceremony, Alice Vial read entries from her grandfather Joseph Vial’s diary that described life as a pioneer. Joseph Vial’s great grandchildren Muriel and William Vial drew the ribbons to unveil the granite boulder used as the historic marker. This marker still stands at the northwest corner of Wolf and Plainfield Roads."

(Submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Patch.com: When Indians Roamed Western Springs. (Submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County Marker (rear view) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

3. Last Camp Site of the Potawatomie Indians in Cook County Marker (rear view)

The marker is accessible by foot from the Timber Trails subdivision in its rear. In the background of this photo is the intersection of Plainfield and Wolf roads.

"The Last Council of the Potawatomies, 1833" image. Click for full size.

Lawrence C. Earle, artist; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-062506), 1902

4. "The Last Council of the Potawatomies, 1833"

This 1902 painting, which was part of a frieze in the main banking room of the Chicago National Bank, depicts the final council between the Potawatomi Indians and the commissioners of the United States government, held in Chicago on September 26, 1833. There, at a small Indian village near the mouth of the Chicago River (today the city's downtown), the two parties signed the Treaty of Chicago, whereby the Potawatomie and several other Native American tribes ceded all of their lands east of the Mississippi River. About two years later the last of these Native Americans would leave the Chicago area, camping at the site of this historical marker en route to their new home in the West.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.