Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First European Settlers in Illinois

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

1. First European Settlers in Illinois Marker

Inscription.
1699 CE

First Europeans settle in Illinois

Erected 2012 by Park District of Oak park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1699.

Location. 41° 53.066′ N, 87° 48.123′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on South Marion Street 0.1 miles south of Pleasant Street, on the right when traveling north. The stone is a part of the labyrinth located on the western edge of Mills Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302, 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 25 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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The Kettlestrings (here, next to this marker); Potowatamie (here, next to this marker); Mills Park Labyrinth (here, next to this marker); Pleasant Home Foundation (here, next to this marker); Oak Savanna (here, next to this marker); Mills Estate Purchase (here, next to this marker); Pleasant Home (here, next to this marker); Village of Oak Park (here, next to this marker); Herbert S. Mills (here, next to this marker); End of the Wisconsin Ice Age (here, next to this marker); Hunter Gatherers (a few steps from this marker); Oak Park Sand Spit (a few steps from this marker); Beginning of the Wisconsin Ice Age (a few steps from this marker); Sabre Tooth Tigers (a few steps from this marker); The Age of Mammals (a few steps from this marker); Mills Park and Pleasant Home (a few steps from this marker); Illinois Tulley Monster (a few steps from this marker); Amphibians (a few steps from this marker); Ancient Illinois Climate (within shouting distance of this marker); Cambrian Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Volcanoes (within shouting distance of this marker); Solar System (within shouting distance of this marker); a different

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marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. The stone is one of about 20 pavers in Mills Park that show the history of Oak Park from the dawn of the solar system through 2012. The pavers are part of a labyrinth embedded into the ground near the western entrance into Mills Park.

Regarding First European Settlers in Illinois. Cahokia, established by French Catholic missionaries in 1699 across the river from St. Louis, is considered the first permanent settlement in Illinois. An early settlement by the same French missionaries was set up somewhere in or near Chicago in 1696, but it was abandoned by 1700.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Mills Park Labyrinth marker page includes a list of all 21 stones in the labyrinth in chronological order

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 88 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.