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

1832 Log Cabin Footprint

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

1. 1832 Log Cabin Footprint Marker

Inscription. Originally from Massachusetts, Israel Blodgett came to Illinois in 1832, settling near Naperville, the same year that Pierce Downer settled in what is now Downers Grove. Israel then sent for his wife, Avis, and their children. The family soon moved to Downers Grove, purchasing 300 acres of land from Asa Wells where Israel established his blacksmith shop. The Blodgetts first lived in a one-room log cabin, which was built in the area of what is now the Museum Campus. A structure was later added to the cabin and was used as an early schoolhouse with the Blodgett's daughter, Mary, as teacher.

The illustration to the right gives you an idea of the typical size of a log cabin of the mid-1800s. Israel, Avis and their eight children lived in a cabin of this size until constructing a larger frame house, which is located to your right, in 1846.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 41° 47.567′ N, 88° 0.326′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Maple Avenue east of Lyman Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is next to the sidewalk in front of the Blodgett House on the Downers Grove History Museum campus.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 831 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove IL 60515, 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 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: 1846 Blodgett House (a few steps from this marker); The Indian Boundary Line (a few steps from this marker); 1892 Blodgett House (a few steps from this marker); Indian Boundary / Carriage Step (a few steps from this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Charles Blodgett (within shouting distance of this marker); Israel and Avis Blodgett (within shouting distance of this marker); The Israel Blodgett House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

Also see . . . Downers Grove History Museum official site. (Submitted on April 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

2. 1832 Log Cabin Footprint Marker

Log Cabin Footprint image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

3. Log Cabin Footprint

The footprint and marker are in front of the Blodgett House on the campus of the Downers Grove History Museum.

"How to Build a Log House" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

4. "How to Build a Log House"

A close-up of the illustration that shows how log houses were built.

Downers Grove Museum campus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

5. Downers Grove Museum campus

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.