Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Samuel Curtiss

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

1. Samuel Curtiss Marker

Inscription. Born in Connecticut in 1789
Died in Downers Grove in 1867
Resident of Downers Grove since 1836
Samuel Curtiss was a volunteer in the War of 1812 and used his script to purchase land here. The Main Street Cemetery is located on part of his land. He operated a stable, tavern, helped establish a post office in Downers Grove, helped improve the Indian trail that is now Maple Avenue and was an active member of the Underground Railroad before the Civil War.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.

Location. 41° 47.574′ N, 88° 0.633′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Main Street near Grove Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in front of Curtiss's gravesite in Main Street Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5158 Main Street, Downers Grove IL 60515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in

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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 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: John S. Cotes (here, next to this marker); The Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Where Is Pierce Downer Buried? (a few steps from this marker); Main Street Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Samuel T. Richards (a few steps from this marker); Downers Grove Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Main Street Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Penner Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

More about this marker. A marker referencing Curtiss's work on the Underground Railroad is in the cemetery about 10 yards away.

Also see . . . Downers Grove Historical Society: Samuel Curtiss.

Excerpt:
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

2. Samuel Curtiss Marker in front of his gravesite at Main Street Cemetery
The underground railroad marker that references Curtiss is in the center of this photo, just right of the pathway through the cemetery.
"Samuel Curtiss donated the land for Main Street Cemetery, improved Maple Avenue, was active in the Underground Railroad, and was the first to subdivide his land."

(Submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.